How energy efficient is the various types of cooktops? This is a question that everyone wants the answer to when they are shopping for cooktops. While most of the newer models of induction, electric and gas cooktops have acquired the Energy Star rating, some are still more eco-friendly than others. The key is to find the balance between your needs and those of the environment when shopping for cooktops. An appliance is not truly efficient if your productivity is decreased. Induction cooktops are some of the very energy efficient types of cooktops on the market today. Because induction cooktops use…

You have your home all snugly tight with the right amount of insulation in all the right places and you turn on the heat and the room heats up, but… the kitchen is still cold; you need a central heating system of some kind. The central heating systems are some of the most efficient systems because they generate the heat and then pump it all over the house in the same proportions that you select. That way, the rooms that are being used gets the most heat and the rooms that are not being used gets quite a bit less…

A new national survey notes an interesting return to aesthetics being more important than energy efficiency in the consumers decision making process with regards to vinyl replacement windows. I believe there are two reasons for the shift. First, there may be some level of expectation that most products provide enhanced levels of energy efficiency because of the governments stimulus tax credit. Many manufacturers, because of the stringency of the requirements, scampered to find products that qualified. The other reason for the change is that the higher end consumer, who previously considered vinyl a lesser quality product and would only look…

In these days of high energy costs many people recognize the importance of improving the energy efficiency of their homes, especially since heating and cooling can account for up to half of a homes total energy usage. While energy efficient replacement windows will save money on heating and cooling bills, they also have many other benefits such as adding beauty and value to your home, and making your living space more pleasant! There are many obvious reasons to replace old windows that are rough and worn. Creating a new look for your home from the inside out is possible simply…

Some homeowners are reluctantly putting off the decision to replace their windows because they’re not sure if they will recoup their initial investment. Still others are putting the decision off until they see what’s going to happen with the economy. Is replacing your windows with energy-efficient windows really worth the investment? How much money replacement windows will save a homeowner depends, of course, on numerous factors. At the top of the list is the type of window you choose and there are plenty to choose from. There are single-panes, double-panes, and triple-panes. There are coated and uncoated windows. There are…

Established or potential landlords in Texas need to be aware of any factors that can cause them or their tenants undue costs. Perhaps the greatest cost increase comes from wasted energy in your properties. Whether you or your tenants are responsible for paying all or partial utilities, both parties want the lowest rates possible. Obviously you, as a landlord, have little control over how often your tenants turn off the light or run their air conditioner, but what you do have control of is energy efficient appliances and pre-emptive methods for conserving energy. A common misconception is that you have…

With the 2012 Ontario Building Code deadline calling for homes to be 35% more energy efficient than homes that are built today, new home builders could be faced with the additional cost of installing higher end heating and cooling systems. And new home buyers may be looking at more sophisticated heating and cooling systems that require a higher level of expertise in maintenance and repairs. A practical alternative for both builders and new homebuyers is a bundled rental package that includes a water heater, along with a furnace, air conditioner, air handler or drain water heat recovery system. Since 2003,…

It doesn’t matter if you live in a home with a modern kitchen that has all the fancy upgrades, or one that just has a single overhead light in the center of the room. If you’re not using the latest generation of energy-efficient bulbs, it’s time for a lighting upgrade. “Kitchen lighting has made great strides in the past couple of years, not just from a design standpoint, but with regards to energy efficiency. So upgrades are definitely worth looking into,” says Joe Rey-Barreau, education consultant for the American Lighting Association (ALA) and an associate professor at the University of…

In spite of all available information on the subject, achieving energy efficiency through solar powered systems can still be difficult to achieve without experts who can offer practical advice based on cutting-edge knowledge and years of experience in the field. That’s why many people are now turning to solar power equipment installation contractors such as the experts at Solare Energy, when they require high efficiency solutions that are designed for seamless integration within their home or business. Headquartered in San Diego County, Solare Energy provides residential, commercial and governmental customers with smart energy solutions that integrate both solar and energy…