The average you can save a year by making your home more energy efficient is almost $1200.
平均每笔抵押贷款的期限是3.6万美元。
如果你每个月都把这些储蓄用在本金上，那么你也就抹去了1.6万美元的利息。
所以下一次当你在老房子里感觉到一股气流时，想象一下美元钞票消失在户外的情景。
In some ways, your beautifully handcrafted home might already have some features that help keep it cool like thicker walls or using materials like brick and stone.
But there are also plenty of easy ways to complete an energy upgrade on your old house.
按照以下建议建造一个节能的家。
完成能源审计
聘请一名独立的能源审计员是一个伟大的第一步。
Some states or local energy companies offer free home audits.
但即使你不得不花几百美元来完成能源审计，它肯定会很快为自己买单。
通过做各种各样的测试，从在房子里吹气到测试是否有漏风，再到利用红外线技术获取你家能源薄弱点的高科技读数，你可以得出你家如何保持热量或冷空气的基线。
准备好回顾你前一年的能源账单，并帮助你确定潜在能源节约的成本效益。
除了检查你的房子是否有热量散失外，审计还应该找出其他的问题点。
他们甚至可能建议地方、州或政府的激励计划和退税，帮助房主降低提高效率的成本。
更换灯泡
更换旧灯泡是使你的家更节能的最简单的方法之一。
By更换5个最常用的灯用节能灯泡每年可以节省75美元。
Efficient lightbulbs have become more attractive over the years and are now designed for use in almost every style of light.
If you are looking for a softer glow or even a colored light you can find one that will save you money.
这是一个不用动脑筋，只需要一个小时的时间。
简单的管道改进
Leaking water can be a huge wasted utility cost that you can fix for under $20.
检查水龙头是否漏水。有时你只需要一把扳手就可以不让钱流进下水道。
If your toilet runs constantly, it may just need a new flapper or float system.
These fixes are so easy that you might be enticed to become a plumber.
While these fixes will save money on your monthly water bill, you can also save plenty of energy by insulating your hot water tank, hot water pipes and turning down your water heater by a few degrees.
Plant a Shade Tree
也许令人惊讶的是，让你的家更有效率可以从一个根本不涉及在家工作的项目开始。
落叶遮荫树不仅有助于美化你的院子和改善环境，而且可以帮助阻止阳光直接击中你的家。
In the winter months when the leaves have fallen off, the sun can stream through the empty branches and help provide some extra warmth.
Here are some more advantages to planting trees.
更换门窗
虽然旧房子的墙壁通常比新房子的隔热效果更好，但旧窗户和门可能效率很低。
Some experts say that 70% of a homes energy loss occurs from its windows and doors
Older single pane windows do not hold heat or cold in a home nearly as well as a double-pane window.
如果你用Low-E玻璃安装新能源之星的窗户，红外线会从窗户反射出去，在炎热的夏季将太阳热量挡在外面。
至于门，房主应该检查一下楼板和洞口之间的缝隙有多大。
1/8英寸的间隙你门口的底部is the same as a 2.5-inch hole drilled in your wall.
You may want to replace your door completely if it contains older glass.
But at the very least, weatherstripping and a properly installed door sweep will go a long way to making your doorways more efficient.
如果你还有问题，this servicecould be a great place to reach out for answers about window replacement.
Attic Insulation
虽然你的阁楼几乎肯定是绝缘的，机会是推出玻璃纤维击球没有削减它。
使用吹入绝缘材料可以减少15%到25%的能源账单。
And if you don’t mind getting a little sweaty, this is an轻松DIY项目那可以帮你节省1000美元的劳动力。
除了节省能源外，许多地区还提供报销信用。
高效暖通空调
有可能是你的空调系统加班加点，以保持你的家在适当的温度。
正确的维护包括清洁处理线圈，定期更换过滤器和冲洗你的室外机是你可以轻松做到的事情。
即使通过减少植被来检查压缩机是否有良好的气流，也能让系统正常工作，从而帮助降低能源成本。
也有可能是您的系统太旧或不适合您的家大小。
一个小尺寸的冷却系统将是工作的方式太难保持你的房子凉爽。
想象一下，如果你的汽车发动机总是以红色转速运转，你会浪费多少汽油。
You need the proper size HVAC to have it running smoothly and efficiently.
Minisplit HVAC systems could also be a great solution if there are areas of your house that are often left unused as they are often multizone applications.
You may not need to keep your bedrooms super cold or warm during the hours that you are using those rooms.
另一个简单的暖通空调节能提示就是每天8小时把恒温器调低5-8度。
Building an Energy Efficient Home
仅仅因为你住在旧房子并不意味着你不能有一个节能的家。
按照这些建议建造一个节能的家，你肯定会看到你的能源账单开始缩水。
也许同样重要的是，你将尽自己的一份力量take care of the environment.
所以从梯子上下来，开始换灯泡！
