Did you know that Americans currently spend more than $200 billion annually on energy bills?
Building energy codes, such as the current Oregon Energy Efficiency Specialty Code, are continually changing to achieve energy savings and reduce greenhouse gas emissions throughout residential and commercial buildings.
What can you do to make your home more energy efficient? Below are a few improvements that could help with your current energy cost:
Air leaks are among the greatest sources of energy loss in a home. Identify areas of your home where air leaks occur, check around your walls, ceilings, windows, doors, lighting, and plumbing fixtures. Once you have identified all air leaks, you can caulk, seal, and weatherstrip the areas of concern to start cutting back on some of those energy costs.
Insulation is essential for reducing heat flow through a home’s building envelope. Adding insulation between the indoors and the outdoors reduces the energy demand of your home, improves comfort, and saves money. Check out the parts of your home that separate the indoors from the outdoors, including the roof, walls and foundation. The greater the insulation value between these two elements will contribute to better energy savings.
For more tips and tricks to save energy and costs, check out the Energy Saver Guide.
Kids can join the fun by completing the Energy Crossword Puzzle. Be sure to turn your completed puzzle in to the Building Division at City Hall for a prize!
Kids can join the fun by completing the Energy Crossword Puzzle. Be sure to turn your completed puzzle in to the Building Division at City Hall for a prize! 
