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Saving energy
isn’t just about saving money for homeowners. Saving energy is
beneficial on a global scale. The world is facing dwindling energy
reserves, and the more we save, the better our future will be. Here are
some things you can do.
Your contractor should be able to give you energy fact
sheets for different types, models, and designs to help you compare
energy usage. For furnaces, look for high Annual Fuel Utilization
Efficiency (AFUE) ratings. The national minimum is 78% AFUE, but there
are ENERGY STAR models on the market that exceed 90% AFUE.
Set thermostats at 68°F (20°C) when the house is
occupied during the day and then turn it down at night or when you’re
not home (60°F (15°C) is recommended). There are programmable
thermostats that you can buy from licensed HVAC contractors that can
do this automatically and easily.
Make sure supply and return vents, radiators and
baseboard heating units are not obstructed by furniture, appliances or
other objects and that air can flow freely to and from them. This will
maximize the efficiency of your system and help distribute warm air
throughout the room.
Clean or change furnace filters in forced hot air
systems once a month or more often as needed.
Have your heating system maintained and serviced
according to manufacturer’s instructions (usually once a year) by a
licensed HVAC contractor. Dirty filters, coils and fans reduce airflow
throughout the system, which decreases performance and can damage your
system.
Have you HVAC contractor check heating ducts for air
leaks from joints and holes.
You can turn down the thermostat in rooms that have all of the following: are unoccupied; can be closed off (closed doors) from the rest of the house; and have their own heating zone. However, do not do this if it adversely affects the rest of your system or could lead to freezing water pipes.
Insulate heating ducts in unheated areas such as attics
and crawlspaces and keep them in good repair to prevent heat loss of
up to 60 percent at the registers.
Cooling: If your air conditioner is old, consider purchasing a new, energy-efficient model. You could save up to 50% on your utility bill for cooling. Look for the ENERGY STAR and EnergyGuide labels.
Consider using an interior fan in conjunction with your
window air conditioner to spread the cooled air more effectively
through your home without greatly increasing your power use.
Don't set your thermostat at a colder setting than
normal when you turn on your air conditioner. It will not cool your
home any faster and could result in excessive cooling and, therefore,
unnecessary expense.
Set your thermostat as high as comfortably possible in
the summer. The less difference between the indoor and outdoor
temperatures, the lower your overall cooling bill will be.
Whole-house fans help cool your home by pulling cool
air through the house and exhausting warm air through the attic. They
are effective when operated at night and when the outside air is
cooler than the inside.
For air conditioners, look for a high Seasonal Energy
Efficiency Ratio (SEER). The current minimum is 13 SEER for central
air conditioners.
During the cooling season, keep the window coverings
closed during the day to prevent solar gain.
Plumbing: Have your Plumbing Contractor install a water heater insulating jacket according to manufacturer recommendations. Some newer tanks come pre-insulated, so check with your Plumbing Contractor to determine if insulation is needed. Bleed trapped air from hot-water radiators once or twice a season; call a professional to perform this task. Insulate your hot water heater and hot water pipes to prevent heat loss. Consider installing a drain water waste heat recovery system. A recent DOE study showed energy savings of 25% to about 30% for water heating using such a system. Buy a new energy-efficient water heater. While it may cost more initially than a standard water heater, the energy savings will continue during the lifetime of the appliance. Look for the EnergyGuide label. Although most water heaters last 10-15 years, it's best to start shopping for a new one if yours is more than 7 years old. Doing some research before your heater fails will enable you to select one that most appropriately meets your needs. Repair leaky faucets promptly; a leaky faucet wastes gallons of water in a short period of time. Consider natural-gas on-demand or tankless water heaters. Researchers have found savings can be up to 30% compared with a standard natural-gas storage tank water heater. Electrical: Turn off all fans as soon as they have done the job. Consider having your Electrical Contractor install a timer switch instead of a manual switch to limit the unnecessary operation of your fans.
Use outdoor lights with a photocell unit or a motion
sensor so they will turn on only at night or when someone is present.
A combined photocell and motion sensor will increase your energy
savings even more.
Recessed downlights (also called recessed cans) are now
available that are rated for contact with insulation (IC rated), are
designed specifically for pin-based CFLs, and can be used in retrofits
or new construction.
Consider having your Electrical Contractor install task
lighting – such as under-counter kitchen lights or bathroom mirror
lights – to reduce the need for ambient lighting of large spaces.
Turn off the lights in any room you're not using, or
consider having your Electrical Contractor install timers, photo
cells, or occupancy sensors to reduce the amount of time your lights
are on.
Consider having your Electrical Contractor install
fluorescent light fixtures for all ceiling- and wall-mounted fixtures
that will be on for more than 2 hours each day.
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 Send mail to
ryan@vanderhyde.com with questions
or comments about this web site. |
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