10 Ways to Reduce Energy Costs - NASA Federal Credit...

3/9/2015

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10 Ways to Reduce Your Home Energy Costs

Presented by:

Charlie Hudson

Business Development

Account Representative, NASA FCU

E-Mail [email protected]

Phone: (301) 249-1800 Ext. 267

Overview

• 10 Ways to Reduce YourEnergy Costs

• Long-Term Savings Improvements–larger investment today, saving over the coming years

• “Green” Alternatives – new technology that can change how you heat, cool, and power your home

• Resources

• Questions

10 Ways to ReduceYour Energy Costs

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1. Perform an Energy Audit – (Self-Assessment)

• Did you know that 60% of all home energy use is for heating?

• Start with a simple self assessment:

• Utility Bills – for energy consumptions (note the daily use statistics available with most providers)

• Insulation (attic, exterior & basement walls, ceilings, floors, and craw spaces)

• Check for air leaks (walls, ceilings, windows, doors, lighting and plumbing fixtures, switches, and electrical outlets)

• Fireplace dampers

• Appliance operation: Check your manual for recommended use and energy conservation

• Large Appliances (HVAC): have serviced regularly

• Lighting: study your use, consider sensors, dimmers, or timers to reduce usage.

Source: US Department of Energy

• Professional Energy Audit Recommendations Could Save 5 – 30% on your energy bill

• Certified Home Energy Auditors Examine:

• Your billed energy consumption

• Problems you are aware regarding how the home operates

• Interior and Exterior Spaces

• Home Health and Safety

• Electrical Systems

• Combustion appliances

• Provide summary and recommended actions in a comprehensive energy report


1. Perform an Energy Audit – (Self-Assessment)

1. Perform An Energy Audit – (Professional-Assessment)

• Average cost of a Professional Home Energy Audit - $300 - $500

• Where to find an auditor:

• Local electric or gas utility

• RESNET

• Uses the proprietary Home Energy Rating System (HERS)

Index to give homeowners a standard by which they can

measure energy efficiency

Source: Bankrate.com,

US Department of Energy,

RESNET

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2. Adjust Ceiling Fans For The Season

Ceiling Fan Facts:

• Ceiling Fan’s work best in rooms:

• With ceilings at least 8’ in height

• Blades that are 7’ – 9’ off the floor

• Blades are 10” – 12” below the ceiling

• When buying a fan, consider ones with an ENERGY STAR rating

• Generally cost $50.00 more

• Quieter and are 20% more efficient.

• Ceiling Fan’s cool people – not rooms:

• The produce a wind chill effect to cool

• Turn fans off in empty rooms

• Ceiling Fan’s provide an updraft in the winter by reversing direction to force warm air down:

• Summer: Run the fan counterclockwise

• Winter: Run the fan clockwise

• If used properly, ceiling fan’s can allow for a 4⁰F adjustment in your central thermostat with no reduction in comfort.

Source:

US Department of Energy,

Energy Star

3. Use Home Ventilation Fans Only When Necessary

• Home ventilation fans are used to help control moisture and remove objectionable odors.

• Serve a critical role in creating a healthy indoor environment

• Can remove much of the moisture that builds up from everyday activities

• Help to keep RH below 50%.”

• ENERGY STAR rated models:• Use 70% less energy

• Feature high performance motors

• improved blade design,

• providing better performance

• longer life.

• Turn fan off once exhausted:• Bathroom fan - 15 – 20 minutes

• Consider models with auto-off

Source:

Energy Star

US Environmental Protection Agency

eHow

4. Energy-Efficient Computer Use

• Turn off monitors if not using for a period in excess of 20 minutes.

• Turn off computers if you not using for a period in excess of 2 hours.

• Plug monitors, printers, and other peripherals into a power strip or surge suppressant protector

• Turn the power strip off when not un use for an extended period.

• Use the ENERGY STAR® sleep mode feature to improve energy efficiency

• Bonus: Turning off a PC can also reduce heat (keeping cooling costs down)


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5. Energy-Efficient Home Appliance Use

• How do you use your home appliances?

• Is there a vampire in your home?

• “Vampire loads” - power draws that most small appliances use when they are turned “off” but plugged in.

• DVD player• TV• Stereo• Computer• Kitchen appliances

• Unplug these divices

• Plug these appliances into a power strips that you can turn off when not in use.

Source: http://standby.lbl.gov/summary-table.html


Lawrence Berkeley National

Laboratory

6. Lighting

• Turn lights off in empty rooms

• Use Automated lighting controls:• Dimmers• Motion, occupancy, and photo sensors • Timers – turn lights on/off at specific

times

• What types of bulb do you have?

• Type of bulb used = cost effectiveness

• Traditional• Incandescent Least expensive - shortest

life span• Halogen: A more efficient Incandescent

• Energy-Saving• Reflector or parabolic reflector (Flood Light)

• Better:• CFL’s:

• Use 25% to 35% of the energy • Last 10 times as longer• More expensive to acquire• Payback is over the long term.• Note: follow EPA recommendations

• LEDs: • Size of a fleck of pepper,

• Uses a mix of red, green, and blue • Typically used to make white light.• Use 25% of the energy of Incandesce• Emit just 10% of the heat. • Only emit 20% of the heat of CFLs

Source:

US Department of Energy

US Environmental Protection Agency

7. Water Heating

• Hot water can account for 12% of a family’s utility bill

• DOE tips to help reduce your hot water usage:

• Take short showers instead of baths

• Reduce your time in the shower

• Lower the temperature on your water heater to 120°F

• Don't let the water run

• Use cold water for most laundry loads, and always use cold water for the rinse cycle.

• Use your dishwasher efficiently

• Fix leaks

• Install low-flow fixtures

• Install heat traps on your water heater tank (older units)

• Insulate hot water tank

• Insulate the first few feet of the hot and cold water pipes connected to the water heater

• Install a timer (electric heaters)


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8. Heating and Cooling Spaces Efficiently

• Heating and cooling is 48% of utility cost.

• DOE offers these simple tips to improve efficiency:

• Clean or replace A/C & furnace filters once a month or as recommended.

• Clean warm-air registers, baseboard heaters, and radiators as needed;

• Make sure heat supply not blocked by furniture, carpeting, or drapes.

• Eliminate trapped air from hot-water radiators once or twice a season

• Place heat-resistant radiator reflectors between exterior walls and the radiators.

• During winter, keep the draperies and shades on your south-facing windows open during the day and closed at night

• During summer, keep the window coverings closed during the day to block the sun's heat.


Tips to Maintain Your Air Conditioner Tips to Maintain Your Heating System


8. Heating and Cooling Spaces Efficiently

9. Effective Thermostat Management

Basic Thermostat:

• Winter: • Set the thermostat to 68°F while

awake and at home.• Turn the thermostat back 10° to 15°

while asleep or away from home – can save 5 to 15% per year.

• Summer:• Set the thermostat to 78°F while at

home and needing cooling• Follow the same approach to keeping

the home warmer then normal when away.

• Common misconception:• Letting your home temperature

drop/rise makes the unit work harder

• As your house drops below its normal temperature, it will lose energy to the surrounding environment more slowly”

• Programmable Thermostat:• Lets you set times for adjusting the

temperature automatically

• Allow you to store multiple programs


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10. Identify and seal air leaks

• Air leaks waste a lot of money

• Caulk, seal, and weather strip all seams, cracks, and openings to the outside.”

• Target Areas:• Dropped Ceiling• Recessed Lights• Attic Entrance• Sill Plates• Water and Furnace Flues• All ducts• Door Frames• Chimney Flashing• Window Frames• Outlets and Switches• Plumbing & Utility Access


10. Identify and seal air leaks

The DOE also offers these helpful hints to identify and seal energy leaks:

• Test your home for air tightness using an incense stick or smoke pen.

• Caulk and weather-strip doors and windows that leak air.

• Caulk and seal air leaks where plumbing, ducting, or electrical wiring comes through walls, floors, ceilings, and soffits over cabinets.

• Install foam gaskets behind outlet and switch plates on walls.

• Inspect dirty spots in your insulation for air leaks and mold. Seal leaks with low-expansion spray foam

• Look for dirty spots on your ceiling paint and carpet, which may indicate air leaks at interior wall/ceiling joints and wall/floor joists, and caulk them.

• Cover single-pane windows with storm windows

• Use foam sealant on larger gaps around windows, baseboards, and other places where air may leak out.

• Cover your kitchen exhaust fan to stop air leaks when not in use.

• Check your dryer vent to be sure it is not blocked. This will save energy and may prevent a fire.

• Replace door bottoms and thresholds with ones that have pliable sealing gaskets.

• Keep the fireplace flue damper tightly closed when not in use.

• Seal air leaks around fireplace chimneys, furnaces, and gas-fired water heater vents with fire-resistant materials such as sheet metal or sheetrock and furnace cement caulk.


Reference Resources

Indoor Air Quality:US EPA Indoor Air Quality

Windows and Doors:Energy Saver DoorsEnergy-Efficient Windows DOE: Energy Saver Storm WindowsDOE: Window TypesDOE: Energy Saver Energy Performance Ratings for

WindowsLighting:

DOE: Energy Saver Lighting ControlsDOE: Energy Saver When to Turn Off Your LightsDOE: Energy Saver Incandescent LightingDOE: Energy Saver Fluorescent Lighting

EPA: Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs)DOE: Energy Saver LED Lighting

Hot Water:DOE: Energy Saver 15 Ways to Save on Your Water Heating BillDOE: Energy Saver Tips: Water Heating

DOE: Energy Savings Project: Lower Water Heating Temperature DOE: Energy Saver Reduce Hot Water Use for Energy SavingsDOE: Energy Saver Savings Project: Insulate Hot Water Pipes For Energy Savings

Air Leaks:DOE: Energy Saver Tips: Sealing Air Leaks

DOE: Energy Saver Savings Project: How to Seal Air Leaks with CaulkDOE: Energy Saver Taking on Scary Basements

Energy-Efficient Strategies:DOE: Energy Saver Energy-Efficient Computer Use

DOE: Energy Saver Tips: Home Office and Electronics: Home Energy AuditsDOE Energy Saver Tips: Your Home’s Energy UseDOE: Do-It-Yourself Home Energy AuditsDOE: Professional Home Energy Audits

DOE: Energy Saver 101 Infographic: Home Energy AuditsRESNET HERS IndexLawrence Berkeley National Laboratory: Standby PowerDOE: Energy Saver Lighting Controls

Energy Saver When to Turn Off Your LightsDOE: Energy Saver Estimating Appliance and Home Electronic Energy UseDOE: Energy Saver Tips: Appliances

Energy Star:Ceiling Fans

Ventilation FansRefrigeratorsWater HeatersCentral Air Energy Saver CalculatorHeat Pump Energy Saver Calculator

Heating and Cooling:DOE: Furnace and Boiler Basics

DOE: Energy Saver Gas-Fired Boilers and FurnacesDOE: Energy Saver Oil-Fired Boilers and FurnacesDOE: Air-Source Heat PumpsDOE: Air-ConditioningDOE: Energy Saver Energy Saver 101 Infographic: Home Cooling Source

DOE: Energy Saver Energy Saver 101 Infographic: Home HeatingDOE: Energy Saver ThermostatsDOE: Energy Saver Purchasing a New Energy-Efficient Central Heating SystemAmerican Council for an Energy-Efficent Economy:

HeatingAmerican Council for an Energy-Efficent Economy: Cooling

Insulation:DOE: Energy Saver Adding Insulation to an Existing Home

Insulation Contractors Association of America (ICAA) Official Buyers GuideSource 1: DOE: Energy Saver Where to Insulate in a Home

Green/Alternative Solutions:DOE Energy Saver: Grid-Connected Renewable

Energy SystemsDOE Energy Saver Solar Water HeatersGeoExchagne Comparing HVAC Systems

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Questions

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Thank You!Presented by:

Charlie Hudson

Business Development

Account Representative, NASA FCU

E-Mail [email protected]

Phone: (301) 249-1800 Ext. 267

10 Ways to Reduce Energy Costs - NASA Federal Credit...

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