New Ways to Boost Energy Efficiency

Inside an Energy Efficient Home
Homeowner Antonio Gonzalez (in the green hat) reviews some of the utilities in his new Habitat for Humanity home with Oak Ridge National Laboratory Researcher Jeff Christian. The Harmony Heights, Tennessee house includes a geothermal unit (far left) and an energy management and storage system (far right), that helps to channel electricity through a DC-to-AC converter back to the electric grid. When combined with other technologies in the house, like triple-paned windows and energy efficient insulation, Gonzalez's energy bills could sink to as little as $1.50 a day, even during peak summer hours.

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