Here’s a good article and graphic from Fine Homebuilding by Martin Holladay, Senior Editor of GreenBuildingAdvisor.com.
It outlines a 10 step program that’s guaranteed to reduce your utility costs. It’s along the lines of the Energy Efficiency Loading Order page found on this site, but includes a pyramid shaped graphic that’s kinda cool.
Energy Efficiency Pyramid - Courtesy of FineHomebuilding .com
As always the first step is a comprehensive energy audit by a BPI certified professional. Next comes airsealing, insulation and envelope measures (not necessarily including windows). Then educating the home owner about simple ways to reduce consumption, lighting upgrades to fluorescent or LED and high efficiency HVAC. Not until you have addressed the efficiency of the building to transfer energy and the climate control systems should you consider adding renewables into the picture. You wouldn’t pour water into a leaky bucket, nor should you add solar or wind generation until you have made the building as efficient as possible. That’s why it’s at the top of the pyramid in the graphic.
http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/12059/10-ways-to-cut-utility-bills
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