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Energy Efficiency

Saving Energy At Home

Did you know that the amount of energy wasted just through poorly insulated windows and doors is about as much energy as we get from the Alaskan pipeline each year?   (DOE,  1997)

Did you know that electricity generated by fossil fuels for a single home puts more carbon dioxide in the air than the average car?   (DOE,  1997).  

Find out ways you can save energy,  reduce pollution and save money in your house!

By making your home energy efficient you can enjoy more comfort and save money.    The first step in identifying energy saving measures is to look at your house as a whole system.   For example,  what is the use of an energy efficient furnace that delivers heat throughout your home through ducts if your ducts leak and are poorly insulated and you are loosing heat through windows and doors?  

Determine where your house’s energy efficiency can be improved.  

• Check the level of insulation in your exterior and basement walls,  ceilings,  attic,  floors and crawl spaces.  
• Check for holes or cracks around your walls,  ceilings,  windows,  doors,  light and plumbing fixtures,  switches,  and electrical outlets that can leak air into or out of your home.  
• Make sure your heating and cooling appliances are properly maintained.  
• Look at the way you are using lighting.   Are there ways you can use day-lighting or reduce the time the lights are on?   Is it possible to replace incandescent bulbs and fixtures with compact fluorescent lamps?  

Insulation

• SAVINGS OF UP TO 30%

Insulation increases the home’s thermal performance,  protects it against air infiltration and controls moisture.  

Check the insulation in your attic,  ceilings,  exterior and basement walls,  floors,  and crawl spaces to see if it meets the level recommended for your region.   The insulation level is measured in R–values; higher R–values provide better insulation.  

Insulation is made in four types:

Weatherization

• SAVINGS UP TO 10%

By caulking,  sealing and weather–stripping all seams,  cracks and openings to the outside you can prevent warm air leaking into your home during summer and out of your home during winter.  

To determine if you have any air leaks hold a lit incense stick next to your windows,  doors,  plumbing fixtures,  ceiling fixtures,  attic hatches or any other places where there is a possible air leak.   If the smoke travels horizontally you have located an air leak that needs your attention.  

Heating and Cooling

A little more than 40% of your utility bill goes towards heating and cooling costs.  

Heating and cooling systems in the United States together emit over a half billion tons of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere each year,  adding to global warming.   They also generate about 24% of the nation’s sulfur dioxide and 12% of the nitrogen oxides,  the chief ingredients in acid rain (DOE,  1997).  

Heating Tips

• Set your thermostat as low as is comfortable.  
• Clean or replace filters on furnaces once a month or as needed.  
• Clean warm air–registers,  baseboard heaters,  and radiators as needed,  make sure they’re not blocked by furniture,  carpeting,  or drapes.  
• Bleed trapped air from hot–water radiators once or twice a season.  
• Place heat–resistant radiator reflectors between exterior walls and the radiators.  
• Use kitchen,  bath and other ventilating fans wisely; in just 1 hour,  these fans can pull out a houseful of warmed or cooled air.  
• Keep draperies and shades open on south–facing windows during the heating season to allow sunlight to enter your home; close them at night to eliminate the chill from the cold window.  
• Close any unused rooms and turn down thermostat or turn off the heating for that room.   However,  if you use a heat pump do not close off the vents– this could damage the heat pump.  
• Look for energy efficient equipment.  

Ducts

The duct system delivers air from your furnace or air conditioner through a network of tubes in the walls,  floors and ceilings.   Ducts that leak heated air into unheated space can add considerable costs to your utility bills.   Insulating these ducts is very cost effective.  

Heat Pumps

Heat pumps are the most efficient form of electric heating in moderate climates,  providing three times more heating than the equivalent amount of energy they consume in electricity.  

The three types of heat pumps are air–to–air,  water source and ground source.  

In winter,  they collect heat from the air,  water or ground outside your home and concentrate it for use inside.  

In summer,  a heat pumps acts as an air conditioner,  they collect the heat inside your home and pump it outside.  

• Do not set back the heat pump’s thermostat manually if it causes the backup electric resistance heating to come on – this will be more expensive.  
• Clean or change filters regularly.  

Solar Heating

• SAVINGS UP TO 50%

Using the sun to heat your home through passive solar design can be both environmentally friendly and cost effective.   Some passive solar design techniques include placing larger,  insulated windows on south–facing walls and locating thermal mass,  such as concrete slab floor or a heat–absorbing wall,  close to the windows.  

• Keep all south–facing glass clean.  
• Make sure that objects do not block the sunlight shining on concrete slab floors or heat–absorbing walls.  
• Use insulating curtains to reduce excessive heat loss from large windows at night.  

Fireplaces

Fireplaces are the most inefficient heating devices as most of the heat is lost through the chimney flue and must be replaced by cold outside air.  

• When not in use,  close all the dampers in the chimney.  

Air Conditioners

It is important to size air conditioners for the space they will cool.   Over-sizing an air–conditioner will mean it will cycle on and off and work less efficiently,  as a result it will be more difficult to maintain a constant room temperature and decrease the humidity in the space.  

• If you use a central air–conditioning unit make sure the central fan is set to shut off at the same time as the compressor (cooling unit).  
• Set your thermostat as high as comfortably possible in the summer.   The less difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures,  the lower your electric bill will be.  
• Setting your thermostat at a colder setting when you turn on the air-conditioner will not cool your home any faster.  
• Set your fan speed on high speed except in humid weather when it should be set at the lowest speed.  
• Increase the spread of cool air in your room supplied by a window air-conditioner by using an interior fan.  
• Do not place lamps,  TV or other appliances near your air– conditioning thermostat.  
• Shade air–conditioning units with plants or shrubs,  but do not block the air–flow.   This simple step could save up to 10% less electricity than the same unit operating in the sun.  
• Set the thermostat down 10%– 15% at night.  

Water Heating

Water heating is the third largest energy expense in your home.  � It accounts for approximately 14% of your utility bill.  

To reduce your hot water heating bills,  you can:

• Use less hot water.  
• Turn down the water heater thermostat
• Insulate the water heater
• Buy an energy efficient water heater.  

Did you know that a family of four showering for 5 minutes a day uses 700 gallons of water a week; this is enough for a 3–year supply of drinking water for one person?   Using low–flow showerheads and faucets can halve this amount.  

Water Heating Tips

• Repair leaky faucets
• Insulate the hot water tank and pipes,  but take care not to insulate the thermostat.   When insulating a gas or oil hot–water heater do not cover the heater’s floor,  top or burner compartment.  
• Drain a quart form your water tank every 3 months to remove sediment that impedes heat transfer and lowers the efficiency of your heater.  
• Consider a solar hot water heater if you live in a warm,  sunny climate.  

Solar Water Heaters

If you have an unshaded,  south–facing location (north–facing if you live in the Southern Hemisphere) consider installing a solar water heater.   Solar water heaters are a good investment and can protect the environment by eliminating harmful greenhouse gas emissions associated with electricity production.  

During a 20 year period,  one solar water heater can avoid over 50 tons of carbon dioxide emissions.  

When purchasing a solar hot water heater,  look for certifications by the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation (SRCC) or the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC).  

Windows

Windows provide views,  day–lighting,  ventilation,  and solar heating in the winter.   However,  up to 25% of your heating bill accounts for heat lost through the windows,  while in summer your air-conditioner works up to 2– 3 times harder.  �

About 50% of US homes have single–pane windows.   � Double–pane windows are a worthwhile investment and will offset your heating and cooling equipment and costs.  

• For cold climates,  select windows that are gas filled and have low emisssivity coatings on the glass to reduce heat loss.  
• For warm climates,  select windows with spectrally selective coatings to reduce heat gain.  

However,  if you cannot install double–pane windows,  consider these tips:

• For cold climates:
  • Install or repair storm windows.  
  • Install tight–fitting,  insulated window shades.  
  • Close the curtains and shades at night; open them during the day.  
  • Keep windows on your south side (or north side in Southern Hemisphere) clean to maximize solar gain.  
• For warm climates:
  • Install white window shades,  drapes or blinds to reflect heat away from the house.  
  • Close curtains on south and west facing windows (or north and west in Southern Hemisphere).  
  • Apply sun-control or other reflective films on south-facing windows to reduce solar gain.  

Landscape and House Design

Did you know that the DOE used computer models to predicts that just three trees paced strategically around the house,  can save an average household between $100–$250 in heating and cooling energy costs annually.  

• Dark colored roofs absorb heat,  which is transferred by conduction into your home while light colored roofs reflect most of the heat from your home.   This can be used to your advantage depending on your local climate.   By placing trees near a white roof,  the reflected light can aid the trees’ photosynthesis and allow water to evaporate from the tree,  cooling the surrounding air.  
• Using trees to shade your house in summer can result in cooler surrounding temperatures.   Carefully choosing deciduous trees,  which loose their leaves in fall,  can allow warm sunlight to enter your house especially when placed on the south–facing (north–facing for Southern Hemisphere) side of your home.  
• Placing evergreen trees on the north–facing (south–facing in Southern Hemisphere) side of your home you can deflect cold winter winds.  
• A well–designed house should allow the low–angle winter sun to enter the house in order to reduce heating bills,  but should reject the overhead summer sun to reduce cooling bills.  
• Fences,  walls,  buildings and rows of trees and shrubs channel the wind.  � Bodies of water moderate the temperature but increase humidity and produce glare.  
• Pavement will reflect or absorb heat depending on whether it is light or dark colored.  

Lighting

• Replace just one quarter of your lights in high–use areas with fluorescents and you can save about 50% of your lighting energy bill.  

Indoor Lighting

Linear fluorescent and energy efficient compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) provide high-quality and high–efficiency lighting.   Fluorescent last 6– 10 times longer than an incandescent bulb.   They are more expensive,  but they do pay for themselves through the energy savings in their lifetime.  

Indoor Lighting Tips

• Turn off the lights in rooms you’re not using or use timers,  photocells or occupancy sensors to reduce the amount of time your lights are on.  
• Use task lighting:  instead of brightly lighting an entire room just light where you need it.  
• Consider three ways lamps – this allows you to maintain lower lighting levels.  
• For workrooms,  garages or laundry areas use 4–foot fluorescent fixtures with reflective backing and electronic ballasts.  
• Take advantage of day-lighting by using light–colored,  loose–weave curtains on your windows to allow daylight to penetrate the room while preserving privacy.  � Decorate with lighter colors that reflect daylight.  
• Consider replacing halogen lamp torchiere fixtures with compact fluorescent torcheieres,  which use 60%– 80% less energy and can produce more light (lumens).  

Outdoor Lighting

Use low–voltage pathway lighting and high-sodium motion–detector floodlights.   Also consider lights powered by small photovoltaic (PV) modules that convert sunlight directly into electricity.  

Outdoor Lighting Tips

• Use outdoor lights with a photocell unit or a timer so they will turn off during the day.  
• Turn off decorative outdoor gas lamps; burning these all year round use 1/8^th of the natural gas required to heat an average home during and entire winter.  
• CFLs have the added advantage of a long life.   For cold climates,  make sure you buy a lamp with a cold-weather ballast.  

Appliances

When shopping for an appliance,  remember that the price tag is the down payment you will be paying the appliance’s operating costs for its lifetime.  

• Refrigerators last on average 20 years.  
• Air conditioners and dishwashers,  last about 10 years.  
• Clothes washers last about 14 years.  

Look for the ENERGY STAR^® label when shopping for appliances (these are the most energy efficient appliances in their class) and compare appliances using their EnergyGuide.   Energy Star Website

Dishwashers

Most of the energy used is for hot water heating.  

• Check the manual for the manufacturer’s recommendation on water temperature; it may be possible to set the water heater to a lower temperature.  
• Scrape,  don’t rinse,  off large food pieces and bones.   � Soaking and pre-washing cycles are only necessary for dried-on food.  
• Wash when the dishwasher is full,  but not overloaded.  
• Let your dishes air-dry; don’t use the dry option
• Dishwashers use less energy than washing dishes by hand and because they use hotter water they can kill bacteria better.  

Refrigerators

• Look for a refrigerator with automatic moisture control; this will prevent moisture accumulation on the exterior of the refrigerator.   Note that this is not the same thing as an “anti-sweat” heater,  which uses up to 10% more energy.  
• The refrigerator fresh food compartment should be set at 37°F and the freezer section should be set at 5°F.   Separate freezers for long-term storage should be kept at 0°F.  
• Check the refrigerator temperature by placing a thermometer in a glass of water in the center of the refrigerator.   Read it after 24 hours.  
• Check the freezer temperature by placing the thermometer between frozen packages.   Read it after 24 hours.  
• Defrost the refrigerator regularly.   Do not let frost build up more than ¼ of an inch as this increases the amount of energy required to keep the motor running.  
• Check the refrigerator door seals by closing the door over a dollar bill so it is half in and half out of the refrigerator.   If you can pull out the bill easily,  the latch or seal may need replacement.  
• Uncovered foods release moisture and make the compressor work harder.  
• The refrigerator condenser will run for shorter periods with clean coils.  

Kitchen Energy Saving Tips

• Always place the faucet lever in the cold position when using small amounts of water; otherwise you are still using energy to heat water even though the hot water doesn’t reach the faucet.  
• Gas ovens and ranges that use an electric ignition system use more gas to maintain a pilot light (up to 41% more in the oven and 53% more in the top burners).  
• In gas appliances look for blue flames,  yellow means the appliance is burning inefficiently.  
• Use a covered pan or kettle to boil water; it’s faster and it uses less energy.  
• Use the appropriate size pan for the element.  
• When using electricity,  turn off the oven or stove top burners several minutes before the allotted cooking time – they retain sufficient heat.  
• Use small toaster ovens for smaller meals.  

Washing Machines

• Front loading machines are more expensive,  but use about 1/3 of the energy and less water than a top–loading machine.   These machines also remove more water during the spin cycle so you will save energy when using a dryer.  

Dryers

• Gas dryers are about 50% less expensive to operate than electric dryers.  

Laundry Energy Saving Tips

• Wash clothes in cold water with cold water detergent.  
• Wash and dry full loads; adjust the level setting of your washing machine accordingly.  
• Dry towels and heavy cottons separately from lightweight fabrics.  
• Don’t over–dry your clothes; apart from damaging some fabrics,  you are wasting energy.  
• Clean the lint filter in the dryer to improve air circulation.  
• Use the dryer’s cool–down cycle to allow clothes to finish drying with the residual heat.