Energy Saver | Department of Energy

Save Energy, Save Money

#EnergyFaceoff: The battle for efficiency begins

Energy Saver presents #EnergyFaceoff! Each week two appliances will face off to determine which uses less energy, with the victor declared as the most efficient. Join the conversation by using #EnergyFaceoff on social media, and guessing which appliance you think will reign supreme.

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Get Ready for Heating Season

Learn everything you need to know about home heating-- from the different types of systems to proper maintenance and energy-saving advice for winter on the Energy Saver home heating infographic.

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#EnergySaverDIY: Projects to Save Energy at Home

Check out Energy Saver's do-it-yourself home energy saving projects, and send us pictures or stories of your energy-efficiency projects with #EnergySaverDIY on social media and you just might see your post on the Energy Saver Facebook!

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Lighting Choices to Save You Money

Learn how to light your home for less money while using the same amount of light.

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Browse Ways to Save

The Energy-Efficient Home

For a thorough and accurate measurement of air leakage in your home, hire a qualified technician to conduct an energy assessment, particularly a blower door test.

Home Weatherization

Detecting Air Leaks

Home Energy Audits

Professional Home Energy Audits

Examples of where to insulate.
1. In unfinished attic spaces, insulate between and over the floor joists to seal off living spaces below.
(1A) attic access door

2. In finished attic rooms with or without dormer, insulate
(2A) between the studs of "knee" walls,
(2B) between the studs and rafters of exterior walls and roof,
(2C) and ceilings with cold spaces above.
(2D) Extend insulation into joist space to reduce air flows.

3. All exterior walls, including
(3A) walls between living spaces and unheated garages, shed roofs, or storage areas;
(3B) foundation walls above ground level;
(3C) foundation walls in heated basements, full wall either interior or exterior.

4. Floors above cold spaces, such as vented crawl spaces and unheated garages. Also insulate
(4A) any portion of the floor in a room that is cantilevered beyond the exterior wall below;
(4B) slab floors built directly on the ground;
(4C) as an alternative to floor insulation, foundation walls of unvented crawl spaces.
(4D) Extend insulation into joist space to reduce air flows.

5. Band joists.

6. Replacement or storm windows and caulk and seal around all windows and doors.
Source: Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Home Weatherization

Where to Insulate in a Home

Energy Efficient Home Topics

Saving Electricity

Estimate the energy consumption and cost to operate an appliance when making a purchase. Investing in an energy-efficient product may save you money in the long run. | Photo courtesy of iStockphoto.com/wh1600.

Appliances & Electronics

Estimating Appliance and Home Electronic Energy Use

By replacing your home's five most frequently used light fixtures or bulbs with models that have earned the ENERGY STAR, you can save $75 each year.

How Energy-Efficient Light Bulbs Compare with Traditional Incandescents

Planning for a home renewable energy system is a process that includes analyzing your existing electricity use, looking at local codes and requirements, deciding if you want to operate your system on or off of the electric grid, and understanding technology options you have for your site. | Photo by Francis Fine Art Photography.

Buying & Making Electricity

Planning for Home Renewable Energy Systems

Saving Electricity Topics

Saving on Heating and Cooling

Water heater testing facility at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Selecting a New Water Heater

Portable heaters can be an efficient way to supplement inadequate heating. | Photo courtesy iStockphoto.com

Portable Heaters

A digital programmable thermostat set for energy savings during the heating season can save energy and money. | Photo courtesy of Â©iStockphoto/burwellphotography

Heating & Cooling

Saving on Heating & Cooling Topics

More Ways to Save

DIY Projects

Savings Project: Insulate Hot Water Pipes for Energy Savings

Insulating water pipes can save you water, energy, and money. | Photo courtesy of iStockphoto.com/nsj-images

Savings Project: Lower Water Heating Temperature

Turning down your water heater temperature can save energy and money. | Photo courtesy of iStockphoto.com/BanksPhotos

More Do-It-Yourself Energy Savings Projects

Energy Saver Blog

November 5, 2014

Computer Defeats Video Game System in #EnergyFaceoff Round One

In #EnergyFaceoff round one, the computer edges out the video gaming system for the title of most efficient.
November 4, 2014

New Energy Saver Twitter Account

Follow @EnergySaver on Twitter for information on energy efficiency and renewable energy at home, and to ask your home energy questions!

More from the Energy Saver Blog

Savings and Rebates

Tips & Advice

Air ducts: out of sight, out of mind. The unsealed ducts in your attic and crawlspaces lose air, and uninsulated ducts lose heat -- wasting energy and money.

Tips: Air Ducts

Energy Saver

Tips for Renters and Property Owners

How we use energy in our homes. Heating accounts for the biggest portion of your utility bills. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, AEO2014 Early Release Overview.

Tips: Your Home's Energy Use

Energy Saver

Energy Saver Guide: Tips on Saving Money and Energy at Home

The Smart Grid will consist of controls, computers, automation, and new technologies and equipment -- including a smart meter at your home -- working together to respond digitally to our quickly changing electric demand.

Tips: Smart Meters and a Smarter Power Grid

Time-based electricity programs encourage you to use energy when the demand is low by giving you a lower price for electricity during those times.

Tips: Time-Based Electricity Rates

Household Heating Systems: Although several different types of fuels are available to heat our homes, nearly half of us use natural gas. | Source: Buildings Energy Data Book 2011, 2.1.1 Residential Primary Energy Consumption, by Year and Fuel Type (Quadrillion Btu and Percent of Total).

Tips: Heating and Cooling

Install a new energy-efficient furnace to save money over the long term.

Tips: Natural Gas and Oil Heating Systems

Cool summer tip: In the summer, save money by automatically turning up the air conditioner at night or when you're away from home.

Tips: Programmable Thermostats

Energy Saver

Tips: Passive Solar Heating and Cooling

Where to insulate. Adding insulation in the areas shown here may be the best way to improve your home's energy efficiency. Insulate either the attic floor or under the roof. Check with a contractor about crawl space or basement insulation.

Tips: Insulation

Sources of air leaks in your home. Areas that leak air into and out of your home cost you a lot of money. The areas listed in the illustration are the most common sources of air leaks.

Tips: Sealing Air Leaks

Bigger isn't always better for an air conditioner. Learn effective ways to stay cool while saving energy. | Photo courtesy of ©iStockphoto/galinast.

Tips: Air Conditioners

Heat pumps can be a cost-effective choice in moderate climates, especially if you heat your home with electricity.

Tips: Heat Pumps

Buildings and trees—natural partners. Deciduous trees planted on the south and west sides will help keep your house cool in the summer and allow sun to shine through the windows in the winter.

Tips: Landscaping

Energy Saver

Tips: Energy-Efficient Roofs

Save energy and more with ENERGY STAR. ENERGY STAR clothes washers use 20% less energy to wash clothes than standard washing machines.

Tips: Smart Appliances

With an array of lighting options, use the Lighting Facts label to determine the right lightbulb for you. | Photo courtesy of Michelle Vigen, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mncerts/6881821827/">Clean Energy Resource Teams</a>.

Tips: Shopping for Lighting

Keep your energy bills out of hot water. Insulate your water heater to save energy and money, or choose an on-demand hot water heater to save even more.

Tips: Water Heating

Lighting choices save you money. Energy-efficient light bulbs are available in a wide variety of sizes and shapes.

Energy Saver

ENERGY STAR<sup>®</sup> Refrigerators Are Cool! ENERGY STAR-qualified refrigerators use 15% less energy than non-qualified models. Models with top-mounted freezers use 10%-25% less energy than side-by-side or bottom-mount units.

Tips: Kitchen Appliances

What's the real cost? Every appliance has two price tags -- the purchase price and the operating cost. Consider both when buying a new appliance.

Tips: Shopping for Appliances

Keep Your Home Office Efficient with ENERGY STAR.

Tips: Home Office and Electronics

This chart shows how much energy a typical appliance uses per year and its corresponding cost based on national averages. For example, a refrigerator/freezer uses almost five times the electricity the average television uses.

Tips: Appliances

Use solar power to heat water and more! Today's solar power is highly efficient. You can buy systems to heat your water, provide electricity, and even offload your home heating system.

Tips: Renewable Energy

Energy Saver

Tips: Transportation

Energy Saver

Tips: References

Simple and inexpensive actions can help you save energy and money during the cool fall and winter months. | Photo courtesy of ©iStockphoto.com.

Fall and Winter Energy-Saving Tips

Simple and inexpensive actions can help you save energy and money during the warm spring and summer months. | Photo courtesy of iStockphoto.com/eyedias.

Spring and Summer Energy-Saving Tips

Energy Saver

Tips: Booklet Distribution