The following are some basic energy-saving ideas for your home. Concentrate on work which will have the quickest pay-back and the lowest cost over the life of the installation, as shared here:

• Manage the opening and closing of doors and windows to minimize energy loss. Fully weather strip openings and eliminate air leaks in the building walls, roof and floors over a crawl space.
• Orient windows, glazed doors to within 30 degrees of south for winter sun, with adequate overhangs for summer shading. Provide interior thermal mass, ie. concrete slabs, walls to store heat for slow release.
• Orient doors and windows to take advantage of cool summer breezes, minimizing the use of mechanical cooling and improve air quality .
• Locate windows, glazed doors and skylights to lighten dark corners of the building, saving lighting costs. Be selective in using skylights in warm climates, prefering clearstory windows or reflective coatings.
• Stub out wiring for a planned photovoltaic system in construction, adding components as funds are available. Consider grade mounted units for access, servicing, and cooler collector air temperatures.
• Use reflective covered insulation, especially for roofs, to add low cost insulating value. An irregular building shell can save energy by lowering air movement and saving the insulating exterior air film
• Use 5/8” drywall in lieu of ½” to gain thermal mass, fire protection and strength in the walls and ceilings of the house.
• Retrofit incandescent bulbs with halogen and fluorescent, use lighting timers or sensors to save costs.
• Use high efficiency, energy rated appliances and air/cond. equipment.
• Consider ways to store heat and coolth, according to your needs, as in rockbin recycling for arid climates, exterior insulated masonry walls.