Path to new energy future begins at home

The following is a column by Governor Kathleen Sebelius:

Most of us know how fuel efficient our car or truck is, but how many of us know the energy efficiency of our home?

When it comes to energy usage, our vehicles get the most attention, but homes and businesses account for a greater percentage of America’s energy use.

That’s why the path to a new energy future – one less reliant on fossil fuels – literally begins at home.

But before we can start making our homes more energy efficient, we need to know just how efficient – or inefficient – they currently are. 

Furnaces, washing machines, refrigerators and most other appliances now have labels telling consumers how much energy they use, and thanks to a new Kansas law, new homes soon will too.

Homebuilders and realtors will provide information on energy usage to potential buyers of new homes, allowing those buyers to make informed choices.  That’s important because a house that wastes energy will cost more to own over the long-term than an efficient one.

But everyone – not just homebuyers – can save money by saving energy. 

Besides purchasing energy efficient appliances, we can save energy simply by switching the type of light bulbs we use.  Compact fluorescent light bulbs last longer and cost less to operate over their lifetime than conventional bulbs.  And CFLs are becoming more cost-efficient to purchase thanks to efforts by several major retailers.

Other simple steps to save energy and money include adding insulation and sealing gaps around doors and windows, as well as regular maintenance of furnaces and air conditioners to ensure they’re running efficiently.

America is searching for new, clean energy sources like wind power, presenting our state with a great opportunity.  But we also can reduce the amount of fossil fuels we burn – and money we spend – by making some simple changes to our homes and businesses.

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