Energy Efficiency
There are more than 25 million households across the country earning $25,000 or less, according to Enterprise Community Partners. These households pay a far higher share of their incomes for home energy, typically live in less efficient homes and feel the consequences of climate change more acutely than higher-income households. In fact, according to the Department of Energy, low-income households spend approximately 14% of their income on energy, while higher-income households spend about 3.5%.
According to the Energy Star program, the average home produces twice the greenhouse gases as the average car. In fact, 15% of all greenhouse gases are generated from the energy used in houses nationwide. Unfortunately, a large chunk of this energy used to light, heat and cool the average American home is wasted. If you added all the hidden air leaks in the average home, they can could equal a hole the size of an open window.
Below are some links to resources to help you save money while reducing the energy in your home!
- US Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency partnership Energy Star program provides easy to find energy efficient products.
- Learn ways to save energy and use clean, renewable technologies at home, in the car and at work!
- Home Energy Saver: the first web-based do-it-yourself energy audit tool
- Why does energy efficiency bring down the cost of living? Find out from this article from Habitat for Humanity.
- A guide to do it yourself energy efficiency in the home, including insulation, humidity/moisture control, sealing, and weatherization.
- This Department of Energy site features educational games, quizzes, and videos to help kids learn about energy efficiency.
- This website has games and other children's resources about energy efficiency.