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September 6, 2008
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Energy Checklist For Homes
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MSU Extension
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What's in this article
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 Introduction
Site
House Design
Construction and Insulation
Heating and Cooling System
Color and Lighting
For more information
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 Return to the Knowledge Base
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Heating and Cooling System
Thermostat is located on an inside room partition
(thermostats on exterior walls, near windows, near
heat-generating appliances, in drafts or in sunlight may
not react to actual room temperature, hence will not keep
room temperature within limits desired).
Heating controls are designed to allow for zoned
heating (permits heating of lightly used areas only as
needed). Note: In some homes, heating runs or registers
may be designed with dampers or valves which allow you to
stop the flow of heat into seldom used rooms (these can
be added by heating and cooling professionals); while in
other homes, zoned heating may be achieved by the use of
two thermostats, one controlling the bedroom area and one
controlling the living area (a more expensive
alternative).
Mechanical ventilators/fans in kitchen, bath and
laundry fit tightly, are weatherstripped and have
positive closure shutters (ventilators without shutters
allow excessive backdrafts of cold air into home).
Furnaces are located as centrally as possible in
house (to reduce lengths of both hot and cold runs to
shortest possible distance).
Furnace design and location permit easy access to air
filters (clogged filters reduce efficiency).
Humidity level of home is kept at 30 to 40 percent
during the heating season (warm air feels warmer and more
comfortable when humidity is present in the air; humidity
can reduce static electricity problems as well). Note:
Portable humidifiers located centrally in home will add
humidity, or power humidifiers connected to forced air
furnaces will add humidity.
Color and Lighting
Outside walls and roof are a light color if summer
heat is a greater problem than winter cold, such as in
uninsulated summer cabins (light colors reflect the sun's
heat while dark colors absorb it).
Interior wall and ceiling colors are light tints or
white (so both daylight and artificial light are
reflected more than absorbed).
Floor covering is medium to light in color (so light
reflectance will save on amount of artificial light
needed).
Overhead lights in living areas and bedrooms provide
good over-all light for less total wattage than several
lamps; lamps can then be used for task lighting of areas
as needed (simple fluorescent enclosed fixtures, flush
with the ceiling, will provide excellent light with
little energy use; incandescent fixtures may be preferred
by some).
All light fixtures are located so they can be easily
cleaned (dust on bulbs, tubes and fixtures reduces
illumination).
For more information on energy conservation in your
home, contact your local Extension Home Economist and ask
for copies of a series of"Energy Fact Sheets" and other
energy related materials made available by the Michigan
State University Cooperative Extension Service.
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