Buildings account for about 40 percent of energy use in the United States. At the UTest House, researchers have the chance to measure energy consumption and indoor air quality in a home like many others in the U.S.

Watch Jeff Siegel, associate professor in the Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, explain some steps to assure your heating, cooling, major appliances and home electronics aren't costing you and the environment more than what's necessary.

About the UTest House
The UTest House at the university's J. J. Pickle Research Campus offers valuable research, educational and public outreach opportunities in a realistic setting. It is used by faculty and students to study passive (zero energy) technologies for reducing ozone concentrations in homes among other sustainability and energy efficiency research activities. Read more about the UTest House.

This video originally appeared on the Know Web site.