Consumer guide offers energy savings tips

Those words grace the cover of the Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings, which was first published in 1991. The 10th edition was released Tuesday.

Lead author Jennifer Thorne Amman said the book can help customers achieve the savings promised on its cover.

“Every kilowatt-hour you avoid using saves over a pound of carbon dioxide that would otherwise be pumped into the atmosphere. So, if you take your 20-cubic-foot refrigerator from 1998 and replace it with an energy-efficient 2012 model, you’ll save more than 300 kilowatt-hours and 500 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions per year. That translates to real savings on your energy bill, and real progress toward curbing carbon dioxide emissions from your home,” she said.

The consumer guide includes more tips than just replacing older appliances.

The latest edition of the guide boasts major expansions and updates to the lighting, home electronics, building envelope, and water heating chapters, offering information that will help homeowners and renters decide which improvements will save them the most money and help them incorporate energy efficiency into future projects.

Hard copies of the book are available from New Society Publishers or major book retailers. The publisher also offers an e-book version.