Many of these products will pay for themselves in energy savings within one to two years.
Where else can you get a 50 to 100% return on your investment every year, tax free, guaranteed?!
The Chimney Pillow. Stops drafts and saves energy. Easy to install and remove.
Radiant barrier. Helps keep your attic (and your home) cool during hot months. Fast payback.
Here is another radiant barrier solution for existing homes and buildings: Low-E heat reflective paint for the underside of an existing roof. Read the specs and watch the short video.
Window insulating ’shrink’ film. This stuff is amazing. Make an old single pane window into a dual pane in minutes. Completely stops drafts. After sweeping a hair dryer over this plastic film, the film becomes invisible. Put it on windows that you never open and leave it on. Or remove it seasonally and re-apply. Payback in one season.
Smart power strip – small. Stops ‘phantom loads’ from sucking power when devices are turned ‘off’ but still plugged in. Payback is one to two years.
Smart power strip – large. More outlets than the small strip. Great for work stations that have lots of peripheral devices, or home entertainment centers.
Longer payback, but still great energy saving products:
Draft Stop Cover for Recessed Ceiling Lights
Here is a great source for super quiet bath fans: Energy Federation
Heat recovery ventilators (HRVs) are becoming popular. They allow outside air into the home without a big energy penalty. Here is a great unit made in Germany: inVENTer HRV. If link fails see: www.inventer.eu
In humid climates, an energy heat recovery ventilator (ERV) may be used instead of an HRV. Unlike an HRV, an ERV recovers BOTH sensible AND latent heat. Here’s an ERV from Panasonic: Panasonic energy recovery ventilator
Books:
The Omnivore’s Dilemma. From Michael Pollan. Best quote: “The meat should be the condiment for the vegetables.” Yeah. Testify bro’.