While it is easy to conserve by cutting down on the use of small and large appliances, much of the energy used at home is for heating and cooling. We have become dependent on our heating systems and air conditioners. The process of cutting down on heating and cooling energy in the home is a much more difficult problem.

The temperature of your home and how much energy it takes to get that temperature are dependent on a number of variables. Some of these are: the type of heating or cooling system, the efficiency of these systems, the amount of insulation in the house, and the temperature set inside the house and the temperature outside the house.

The easiest way to save energy on heating and cooling is to set the temperatures inside the house at comfortable but not excessive temperature. Set the temperature in the winter at 68 degrees instead of 70 or 72 degrees. Set the temperature in the summer at 75 or 78 degrees instead of 72 degrees. Many people believe that this also healthier since there is not that tremendous difference upon in temperature when going from the inside to the outside of the house or vice versa.

The following pages will give you some background on how heat is transferred and more ideas on how to make your home more energy efficient.