Citizen’s Guide to Energy Efficiency

America’s homes are like cars that only get 10 miles to the gallon. Buildings consume 40 percent of America’s energy, and much of that energy is literally flying out the window rather than heating or cooling our homes and businesses. What’s worse, energy-wasting buildings are responsible for nearly half of our nation’s greenhouse gas emissions.

Report

Environment Texas

America’s homes are like cars that only get 10 miles to the gallon. Buildings consume 40 percent of America’s energy, and much of that energy is literally flying out the window rather than heating or cooling our homes and businesses. What’s worse, energy-wasting buildings are responsible for nearly half of our nation’s greenhouse gas emissions.

We all stand to benefit from improving the energy performance of our homes and businesses. It’s simple: Use less energy. Burn less fuel, save money, and reduce pollution. Makes sense, right?

So, then, if it saves us money, why don’t more people do it? Well, while energy efficiency investments save money in the long run, some of them can involve relatively hefty upfront costs.

That’s the bad news. The good news is, there are hundreds of resources available to help people overcome these obstacles to improving the energy performance of their homes and businesses—from financing programs to tax credits and rebates for Energy Star appliances, all designed to help families and business-owners deal with these upfront costs and lock in energy savings down the road.

But with so many different options, it can be hard to know where to start. Our Plug Into Clean Energy guide will help you cut through the clutter as you navigate the different resources available and find the options that work best for you and your family.

Whether you’re starting small with new CFLs or gearing up to invest in a solar roof, we’ll provide the tools you need to start with the easy steps and work your way up. Just turn the page to get started.