Energy efficiency simply means getting the same amount of work out of a device without having to use as much energy. An excellent example of an energy efficient technology is a compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulb, which is typically four times more energy efficient than a regular incandescent light bulb, but produces the same amount and quality of light. Energy efficient technologies can cut home electric bills by 10 to 50 percent. These technologies include compact fluorescent light bulbs, high efficiency heating and air conditioning systems, and energy efficient appliances that have the Energy Star logo. Home energy efficiency can also be improved by sealing leaky duct systems and caulking windows and doors. Conserving energy, by taking actions like insulating/weather-stripping your home and purchasing Energy Star certified (high efficiency) appliances, is usually the smartest, most economical and most potent environmental action you can take. Cleaner, greener energy supplies may provide the cleanest supplies of needed electricity, but minimizing the energy we need is still the first step to take before selecting the cleanest, greenest supplies. Whenever you save energy, you not only save money, you also reduce the demand for such fossil fuels as coal, oil, and natural gas. Less burning of fossil fuels also means lower emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other pollutants. You do not have to do without to achieve these savings. There is now an energy efficient alternative for almost every kind of appliance or light fixture. That means that consumers have a real choice and the power to change their energy use on a revolutionary scale.

TIPS:

• To reduce CO2 emissions and save 20 to 30 percent of home heating bills, insulate the walls and ceilings of your facility.

• Replace all standard windows with argon filled, double-glazed windows saves 2.4 tons of CO2 per year for homes with gas heat.

• Plant shade trees and the exterior of your house should be a light color in a warm climate and dark color in a cold climate. Each tree also directly absorbs about 25 pounds of CO2 from the air annually.

• Weatherize your establishment using caulk and weather stripping to plug air leaks around doors and windows.

• Turn your refrigerator down. Refrigerators account for about 20% of household electricity use. Use a thermometer to set your refrigerator temperature as close to 37 degrees and your freezer as close to 3 degrees as possible. Make sure that its energy saver switch is turned on. Also, check the gaskets around your refrigerator/freezer doors to make sure they seal tightly.

• Set your clothes washer to the warm or cold water setting.

• Wrap your water heater in an insulating jacket. It can save 1100 lbs. of CO2 per year for an electric water heater

• Water heater thermostats are often set to 140 degrees F when 120 is usually fine. Consider a tankless hot water heater that reduces energy use while making hot water available on-demand.

• Select the most energy-efficient models when you replace your old appliances. Look for the Energy Star Label - your assurance that the product saves energy and prevents pollution.

• Be cognitive of the temperature in the Inn. Encourage guests to take advantage of ceiling fans with open windows at night instead of air conditioning in the summer.

• Clean or replace air filters as recommended. Energy is lost when air conditioners and hot-air furnaces have to work harder to draw air through dirty filters. Cleaning a dirty air conditioner filter can save 5 percent of the energy used. That could save 175 pounds of CO2 per year.

• Buy energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs for your most-used lights which uses only 1/4 the energy of an incandescent bulbs and lasts 8-12 times longer.

.Use less water by installing low-flow shower heads.

Sources

U.S. Department of Energy

Alliance to Save Energy

International Energy Agency

Leonardo Energy

Farm Energy.org