您毫无疑问地看到了电器上的能源之星符号，您甚至可能拥有您家中的一些设备。但是，您是否知道能源之星认证产品已保存超过$450 billion in energy costs（和超过3.5万亿的电力）自1992年推出以来的电力以来？
美国人一直认真打击能量waste in the past few decades, but many of us still face surprisingly high electricity bills each month. Why? Those snazzy, savvy new appliances are all well and good, but it turns out that when it comes to wasting energy, the devil is definitely in the details.
对于10个迹象，您的家庭并不是节能，因为它可以，阅读！
1. Your Filters Are Filthy
堵塞，脏滤波器是HVAC系统故障的第一原因。它们限制了空气流动，从而将应变放在整个系统上。
While you’re checking the furnace and冷气机过滤器，确保灰尘或吸尘器，返回这些设备上的返回，寄存器，管道和线圈，以保持尖端形状的所有内容以获得最高效率。
2. Your Insulation Is Insufficient
Speaking of efficiency, how does your insulation rate? Go up to your attic and check; if you can see the joists, you don’t have enough insulation. According to Energy Star, the attic should have 10 to 14 inches’ worth.
Remember that heat rises, and if the top of your home isn’t properly insulated, that heat is going to head right out into the atmosphere instead of staying where it belongs, between your four walls.
3. Your Foundation Is Failing
As above, so below. Cracks, gaps, or other signs of wear-and-tear on the bottom of your house can also be culprits if yourenergy bills seem higher than they should be。
每年检查您的家庭基础，修复您发现的任何裂缝，并使用填缝或喷雾泡沫保温，以密封在通风口或导管周围的间隙。
4. Your Windows Aren’t Weather Proof
Replacing your windows, if they are old, cracked, or ill-fitting, is another good step to take toward energy savings. Seal up any cracks or gaps with weatherstripping or caulk.
别忘了窗口治疗，这可以战略性地用于使您的家庭的温度更加愉快，提高您的能源支出。
5. Your Doors Are Drafty
如果你的窗户让热量或加速，你的门也有很好的机会。没有风暴门？尽快投资，以帮助保持冬季风和夏天的阳光在海湾。
6. Your Light Bulbs Are Lacking
It may seem like quibbling to look to your light bulbs for cost- and energy savings, but this small act can actually make a huge difference. We’re talking “70% to 90% more energy efficiency” difference here.
Use LED light bulbs and Energy Star-qualified fixtures. They last longer than incandescents and use much, much less power.
7. Your Appliances Are Ancient
我们谈到了能源之星额定冰箱，洗衣机和烘干机以及其他家用电器，但这种建议重复。你可能会认为你的旧洗碗机正好工作，但它可能仍然可以吞噬能量。
Even if you don’t think that a new appliance is in the budget, remember that you could recoup the cost of a new whatever-needs-replacing within just a few months by choosing wisely.
8. Your Temperature Is Too High (or Too Low)
“穿上毛衣如果你很冷”可能会在那里有“吃掉你的蔬菜”，当你父母曾经说过这令你烦恼的事情时，你就可以了。（也许也许你现在说惹恼了自己的孩子。）
But turning down the thermostat a few degrees, and bundling up with some extra warm clothes, is really some of the best advice that Dear Old Dad could have given you.
将您的家庭的温度高于或低于它真正需要随时间加入。
9. Your Thermostat Isn’t Timed
This tip is even more of a no-brainer. Are you air conditioning every room in the house even when no one is home? Or heating it at night, despite the fact that everyone’s snuggled up under cozy, warm covers?
投资一个可编程恒温器。它们并不昂贵，他们将通过将TEMP放在计时器上，为您节省加热和冷却成本的束。
10.您的设备正在排水
Want to knowhow to green your home? You could look it up on your smartphone or laptop. You could also make sure those devices haven’t turned into vampires.
不，我们不是feeling nostalgic for #TeamEdward。我们正在谈论能量吸血鬼，它吮吸电，而不是血液 - 即使它们没有使用甚至打开！
Small appliances like your microwave, television, game systems, and printer, as well as electronics like your cell phone and tablet, can slurp up electricity if they are plugged in. That’s true even when they are inactive and fully charged.
为了杀死这些吸血鬼，将它们插入智能电源条，当电子器件空闲时感觉到，并在响应中关闭。或者做这件老式的方式，在不使用时拔掉一切。
Wasting Energy: Wrapping Up
一旦开始找到节省能源的方法，就会启发，以保持良好的工作。在几个月后积极地改变你的习惯，那些继续浪费能量的人，那些更有效的人，你肯定会看到你的月度账单的差异！
准备省钱更多的钱 - 让你的生活变得更绿？看看这些创造性的方法可以将垃圾变成珍宝升级项目to tackle this weekend!
