Heating and cooling a home use a lot of energy and are a major focus when people try to reduce utility bills. Some have suggested that closing HVAC vents in unused or little used rooms as a way to reduce energy usage and bills, and there are products coming to market that will automate vent closing.

This might seem intuitively like a good idea but is closing vents really beneficial? Are there downside?

A new post at Energy Vanguard suggests the answer may surprise some. …

Hot weather has arrived, and you've likely used your air conditioner at least a few times already (if not more). But have you spent the time to ensure that it's running as it should?

And have you considered an overall cooling strategy that could help you run your air conditioner less, save money, and stay cool and comfortable?

EERE Energy Savers has tips that can help you get on track to a comfortable, efficient cooling season. …

Ventilation is the least expensive and most energy-efficient way to cool buildings. Ventilation works best when combined with methods to avoid heat buildup in your home. In some cases, natural ventilation will suffice for cooling, although it usually needs to be supplemented with spot ventilation, ceiling fans, and window fans. For large homes, homeowners might want…

This is a repost of a blog posting on Home Energy Pros by Jamie Press, posted here with permission.

Whether you've decided to live "off the grid" or simply work eco-friendly energy into your current lifestyle, using solar energy is an ideal way to accomplish the goal. Using photovoltaic technology, the heat and light from the sun are converted into electrical…