With the help of
an energy conservation analysis, we can lower our demand for electricity which
then lowers the amount of fossil fuels the power plant must burn. This in turn
lowers the carbon dioxide emissions from the power plant but also means that less
coal must be mined. Therefore, less fuel for mining equipment is used and CO2
emissions are lowered even more. As you can see, the small steps we take at
home can have a much larger effect than we might at first believe.
Heating and Cooling Systems
For the average
home, the heating and cooling systems use 30-60% of the total energy
consumption. With energy prices on the rise, it is more important than ever to
ensure the home is as efficient as possible. The easiest way to save money in
this area, is to install a programmable thermostat if you have an older
control. You can also explore other methods of cooling the home such as a whole
house fan.
Most homeowners
are talked into replacing their hvac systems to save money. While it is true
that a new hvac system can be more efficient, it may not always be the best use
of limited funds. Usually it is better to spend the money on lowering the
home's heat gain or loss. Then, your energy savings can help you to pay for
those other home improvements such as replacing the hvac system. Improvements
to lower the home's heat gain/loss will also allow you to purchase a smaller
system when the time comes. This will save you a lot of money!
Start at the top
The attic is a
good place to start your energy conservation analysis. If you have little or no
insulation, installing or adding more can significantly reduce your home's
energy use. You can even add insulation value to your walls and ceilings by
painting. With modern coatings and paint additives, you can actually lower the
heating and cooling needs of your home by painting. The next time you paint,
insulate at the same time.
You should also
ensure that the attic has sufficient ventilation. An attic that is not properly
ventilated is hotter than one that is. The heat that builds up in the attice is
then transferred to the inside of the home through the ceiling. This, in turn,
causes the home's air conditioner to run longer and your electricity bill to go
up. This can not only save you energy dollars but can make your home last
longer.
If the access to
the attic is located in a conditioned space, you should ensure that the hatch
is insulated. It should also be sealed with weatherstripping or an attic hatch
cover.
The home's exterior
Another factor
that affects the heat gain or loss of the home is air leaks. You can usually
find these by feeling the air come into the home on a windy day.
Old single pane
windows are one of the largest sources of these drafts. They typically have
wooden frames that have shrunk and leave gaps for the air to enter. If you
cannot afford to replace them (or if you rent the home), you can purchase kits
to seal them in the winter. These kits usually consist of a clear plastic film
and doublesided tape. They are inexpensive and can save you 5-15% on your
heating bills.
Another common
source of these drafts are the outlets and switch boxes located on exterior
walls. You can purchase foam gaskets to place behind the cover plates. They are
inexpensive and will pay for themselves in less than one heating season.
Exterior doors
are another common source of these drafts. This can usually be cured by
weatherstripping around the doors and installing a sweep at the bottom of the
door. Both of these things are inexpensive but effective.
Another factor that
affects the heating and/or cooling load for the home is the amount of sunlight
that enters the home. Have you ever gotten into a car that has sat in a parking
lot on a sunny day? If you have, then you have witnessed passive solar heating.
This may be good when the weather is cold but when you are trying to keep your
home cool it is not. It can be a delicate balance between allowing enough light
into the home and increasing the load on your air conditioner.
There are
options to solve this problem such as replacement windows with a "low
e" coating or dynamic window shades. These blinds or shades can be
operated by motors and controlled automatically to keep the warm sunlight out.
These units can also be integrated into a home automation system and open/closed
based on the temperature in the home.
Home appliances
Next, you should
continue your energy conservation analysis by examining your home's appliances.
They typically account for about 20% of the home's energy use. The
refrigerator, clothes washer, and the clothes dryer are the major users of this
energy. If the appliances are more than 10 years old, you should plan on
replacing them with energystar qualified units.
The
refrigerator's energy use can be minimized with routine maintenance. The coil
on the unit which is either mounted on the bottom or the back of the unit
should be cleaned at least once per year. This is a simple matter of removing
the dust and dirt with a vacuum cleaner.
You should also
test the door gaskets on the refrigerator and freezer. This can be done by
placing a dollar bill in the door opening, closing the door, and trying to pull
it out. If the dollar bill comes out easily, the gaskets should be replaced. It
is an easy diy project.
On the clothes
washer, you can save energy dollars by lowering the water temperature. It is
even better if you wash your clothes in cold water. With advances in
detergents, we can now get our clothes clean without using hot water and they
will even last longer.
The lint trap on
the clothes dryer should be cleaned before every load. You should also inspect
the vent for buildup of lent at least once per year.
Saving on the cost of heating the home's water
Your home energy
conservation analysis should continue by examining your water heater. The
home's water heater can account for about 13% of the home's total energy use.
If you have an electric storage heater, then, the thermostats should be set to
120 F. You can also install a blanket to minimize the standby losses. You can
also install a timer so that the heater only maintains the water temperature at
programmed times during the day.
You may also
want to consider replacing the old unit with a tankless hot water heater or a
heat pump water heater and save even more. Another option is to install a drain
water heat recovery system.
Saving on lighting the home
The next thing
to consider in your energy conservation analysis is your home's lighting
systems. Nobody wants to sit in the dark or go back to using candles but their
are some upgrades that you can do to reduce the amount of electricity required.
The home's interior lights typically use 11% of the home's energy. This can be
reduced with advanced technology such as compact flourescent bulbs, LED
lighting or through passive lighting such as roof windows.
Electricity thieves
Finally, your
energy conservation analysis should consider electric loads that are spending
your hard earned money even when you think they are off. These are commonly
called "phantom loads" and they are prevalent in every home. All of
those little lights on appliances, tv, computers, power strips, etc. use
electricity and the cost can add up to be significant.
Even in standby
modes, many appliances can use 50% of the electricity that is required when
they are on. These loads can be conveniently turned off and on with the
installation of green switches, smart power strips, or occupancy sensors. The
savings can be from 25-45% on the utility bill!
Implementing these ideas
After completion
of your home's energy conservation analysis, you can implement these energy
saving ideas easily. Instead of just randomly picking things to do, you should
come up with a list of priorities based on the characteristics of your home and
the climate in which you live. For example, it makes no sense to upgrade your
hvac system if you live in an area where you don't use it very often.
If you would
like more assistance in conserving energy, you can utilize our consulting
services. For a small fee we will assist you in performing an energy
conservation analysis as well as designing a customized plan for your home or
business.