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Top Ten Conservation Rules

Marketing Rules

The following 4 rules are essential to selecting the most effective market for Home Energy Audit services:

1. The larger the home, the greater the energy savings potential

2. Older homes offer even greater the energy savings potential

3. The more people who live in a home the greater the energy savings potential

4. Pets have a larger impact on energy consumption then most people realize

If you choose to begin with Home Energy Audits larger homes of older vintages (1950-1985) should be the highest priority.  More occupants or pets also increase the likelihood your services will return substantial savings.

Electricity consumption by 107 million U.S. households in 2001 totaled 1,140 billion kWh, or just less than 900 kWh per month per household.  These households ranged in size from 400 square foot studio apartments up to 10,000+ square foot mansions.  The average square footage was 1340 square feet.  Square footage is important as there is almost a direct correlation between the power consumption and the size of the residence.

The average residential retail price per kWh in 2007 was $0.107, giving a monthly power bill of $100.  Of course there is a significant amount of variation due to size of household, price of power, climate, alternative heating such as natural gas, and the number of occupants.

Take a typical family of 4 living in a 3500 square foot home in Dallas.  The average monthly power is about $300 a month, and about 30% of the North Dallas region fits this profile.  Or take a typical family of 4 living in a 2200 square foot home in Boise Idaho.   The average monthly power is about $80 a month, and about 30% of the region fits this profile.

The Department of Energy has provided a tremendous amount of information on energy production and consumption that will provide regional/local consumption and costs. 

Use the search Tool below to search for energy information administration to find the DOE websites of interest.

Energy Conservation Action Rules

The remaining six rules are the key elements that will lead to the most significant energy savings for most consumers.  Each of these actions are detailed on dedicated pages.  Simple common sense that 95% of all homes in America don't apply in their Home Economics.

5. HVAC systems with dirt/dust buildup cost more to operate

6. Air Leaks and Insulation

7. Kitchen Appliances;  Refrigerator Maintenance and Seasonal Cooking

8. Water Heating

9. Lighting Technologies

10. Laundry Efficiency

In most cases the biggest savings will come from the smallest investments in time and or money.  Customers should be reluctant to invest in new appliances when what they have is still working fine.  What they don't realize is they may be missing out on some of the simple maintenance or are using these systems ineffectively.

Over the next few pages we'll explain what the detailed actions are and give you some ideas on how you can offer some very effective services that may be profitable for you to include with your Home Energy Audit service.