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Submitted by: Eliz Guide
Many people are into conservation these days and have adopted simple habits like fixing dripping faucets and running toilets and turning off the water when they shave or brush their teeth. It is easy to see when water is being wasted but conserving electricity is more difficult because you can t see it. Performing a home electrical energy audit will help you identify those invisible ways that electricity is being wasted in your home and put you on the path to conservation and savings.
A home energy audit is a process of accounting for all the electricity, natural gas and other energy sources that you use in your house and then take the recommended measures to conserve your use and make your home be more energy efficient. This often entails a combination of minor lifestyle changes and some home improvement projects. In an electrical energy audit you assess the electrical demand of the appliances and other electronic devices in your home and find ways to reduce the demand.
There are a variety of products on the market that help measure the amount of electricity each of your plugged-in devices is using. Devices called energy monitors are available at various prices points and provide information on your electrical energy consumption. The most basic device is plugged into an outlet and then you plug the appliance you want to monitor into the device. There are also more sophisticated models that connect directly to your electrical panel or operate wirelessly. The use of an energy monitor will show you which of your appliance and other electronics are demanding the most electricity.
After you have completed your homes electrical energy audit either on your own or though a professional auditor, you will need to follow recommendations for reducing your electrical consumption. Major appliances like refrigerators, washing machines, dryers and dishwashers use a lot of electricity so replacing older models with modern energy-efficient replacements is a smart way to save on electricity.
While it may not be practical to unplug every appliance when not in use, it is worthwhile to prevent what is known as phantom loads or vampire loads which refers to the energy used by devices even when they are turned off. The only way to prevent electronics from using energy entirely is to unplug them when not in use. Installing timers or power strips that cut power to electricity-sucking devices is a practical way to prevent phantom loads.
Lighting accounts for a big portion of energy use and an electrical auditor will likely make recommendations for how to cut back on lighting costs. These recommendations might include installing dimmers, automated lighting or occupancy sensors. Switching from traditional incandescent light bulbs to high efficiency fluorescent lighting is a simple way to save on electrical costs. Reducing light levels in your house by just 10% saves a lot of electricity over time and is imperceptible to the eye. A professional energy auditor and electrician can help you find ways to alter your home s interior and exterior lighting to suit your needs and lower electricity bills.
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