Web site links point consumers toward energy savings

Editor's note: The Energy Services Bulletin features real answers to real questions posed to our staff at the Energy Services Power Line. We hope you find this useful.

Question:
We are looking for a list of links to residential-targeted calculators, publications, appliances and products, appliance energy use, glossaries and other resources to place on our Web site.

Answer:
The following list covers a wide variety of topics that can help residential customers save money and energy without sacrificing comfort.

Calculators, selection tools, audits, fact sheets
Using these tools, consumers can figure out how much energy their homes and appliances are using and select equipment and upgrades that are appropriate for their lifestyles and locations.

Compare Air Conditioning Systems/Costs Note: This Western-sponsored tool uses cooling hours for various regions. It also allows users to compare evaporative coolers to conventional AC units; after selecting/entering your region's cooling hours, click the button titled Compare Evaporative Cooler.

Compare Heating Systems/Costs

Compare Residential Water Heaters (gas and electric, storage and demand/tankless)

DOE's Energy Savers - Appliance Use Chart

Energy Cost Calculator for Compact Fluorescent Lamps

Energy Cost Calculator for Electric and Gas Water Heaters

Energy Cost Calculator for Refrigerators

Energy Star Qualified Products

Insulation Zip-Code Tool

Online audit tools:
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory's Home Energy Saver
This is a home energy audit tool for the do-it-yourselfer.

Energy Star's Home Improvement Tools

Fact sheets:
Compare Heating Fuels

Home Energy Audit

Window selection based on region/climate

Fact sheets, guidelines, briefs, tips
These Web sites offer many affordable and easily implemented measures for saving energy.

ACEEE's Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings

ACEEE's Most Energy-Efficient Appliances

Appliance Use Chart
(fact sheet with formulas)

Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Residential Fact Sheets

The online DOE's Energy Savers booklet or order a hard copy.

DOE's Energy Savers Virtual Home (on-line)

No-/Low-cost Ways to Save Energy

Rocky Mountain Institute's Home Energy Briefs

Western's Residential Energy Savings Fact Sheets

Rebates, incentives, assistance
Energy efficiency and renewable energy rebates, incentives and low-income assistance encourage homeowners to invest in energy savings.

Residential Energy Efficiency Database

Energy Star Rebate Finder

Renewable Energy Incentives, Rebates, Rules/Laws

Insulation and Weatherization Incentive Programs

Utility Deals
(rebates)

Weatherization/Low-Income Heating Assistance Programs

Energy 101
Consumers with a basic understanding of energy terms and principles will be better equipped to make wise energy choices.

Energy Glossary/Dictionary

DOE’s EIA Energy Abbreviations

Consumer Information – Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Federal Trade Commission – Bureau of Consumer Protection (consumer education)

For Kids, Students and Educators
It’s never too soon to teach children the ABCs of saving energy. These tools will help.

DOE’s EERE Dr. E’s Energy Lab (elementary students)

DOE’s EERE Energy Education and Training

DOE’s Teacher and Student Resources

DOE’s Energy Information Administration Kid’s Page