Local electricians answer questions about trends and offer tips to homebuyers and sellers considering buying or selling a home in our around The Woodlands.

Alan O'Neill Abacus Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electrical

What are the best ways to conserve energy in your home?

Older homes are more susceptible to energy inefficiencies and [homeowners] should be more proactive about energy-saving upgrades than with some of the newer homes, but the same rules apply to everyone. Attics are one of the most important considerations in energy efficiency. This is where a lot of energy transfer takes place and improperly insulated attics can wreak havoc on energy bills, especially in the summer here in Houston. There have been a lot of improvements over the years in attic insulation, and replacing old insulation is a wise choice.

What are the most effective ways to cut lighting costs?

Lighting equates to about 10 percent of energy costs. About 10 to 15 percent of the electricity, which traditional lightbulbs consume, converts into actual light. New [compact fluorescent lightbulbs] can reduce 75 percent of that energy versus using traditional incandescent bulbs.

Where do the majority of energy costs come from in a home?

Some of the key areas of the home where homeowners may be wasting energy comes from computers. Believe it or not, electronics, such as computers, that are left on all day can cost 21 cents per day, or about $75 per year, in electricity costs. Also, single pane glass windows can have one of the biggest impacts on energy costs. Sealing these windows, or better yet, replacing these older windows with new energy-efficient windows, will have a dramatic effect on energy savings and home comfort.