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Home Energy Solutions

Easy Ways to Help Yourself

Donna Coffin, UMaine Extension Educator

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Direct Energy Use- Household

How We Use Energy in Our Homes in the Northeast

Heating accounts for the biggest chunk of a typical utility bill.

Source: Building Energy Data Book, Table 2.3.10: 2001 Energy End-Use for an Average Household by region

Water Heating

13%

Refrigerator8% Space

Cooling6%

Space Heating

40%

Other Appliances & lighting

33%

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How the Rest of the Country Stays Warm

How Maine Stays Warm

Source: Historical Census of Housing – House Heating Fuel – 2000: www.census.gov/hhes/www/housing/census/historic/fuels.html accessed 8/20/08

Fuel Oil9%

Other8%

Electrical29%

No Heat1%

Natural Gas53%

Utility gas4%

Fuel oil, kerosene,

etc.80%

Wood6%

LP Gas5%

Electricity4%

Other Fuel1%

A recent Maine Lung Association survey indicated the 48% or Maine households intend to use wood stoves or pellet stoves as the main source or supplemental source of heat this winter.

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Home Heat Loss Averages

• Infiltration/Air Leakage: 35% • Windows and Doors: 18%-20% • Floors and Below Grade Space: 15%-18% • Walls: 12%-14% • Ceilings: 10%

Heat loss from a house

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Do You Need a Certified Audit?• Certified auditor list

http://www.mainehousing.org/ ENERGYAuditServices.aspx

• Online self audit

http://hes.lbl.gov/

• Home Energy Evaluation check list http://

www.extension.umaine.edu/energy/checklist.htm

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Step OneAssess what you have

• Measure or estimate the size of the house

• Measure or estimate the size of the windows

• Use one year’s worth of utility bills to estimate total energy use for the year

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DIY Evaluation Things to check:1. Joints and Penetrations – caulk2. Insulation – enough?3. Ventilation – to let excess moisture out4. Ductwork – wrap pipes with insulation5. Doors and Windows – seal, pull curtains,

indoor shutters6. Heating & Cooling Systems – clean upgrade?7. Appliances – upgrade 8. Water Heating – insulate tank9. Lighting – fluorescent

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Step Two

• Calculate the heating costsBtu per Standard Heating Unit

• Use the mBtu to calculate savings• mBtu = million Btu = 1,000,000 Btu

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Heat content of fuelFuel Heat Content

(BTUs)Per Unit

Oil #2 138,500 gallon

Electricity 3,413 Kwh

Propane (bottled gas)

92,500 gallon

Hardwood (dry) 24,000,000 Cord

Softwood (dry) 15,000,000 Cord

Wood Pellets 16,000,000 Ton

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Efficiency of Fuel Burning Systems

Fuel System Annual Fuel Utilization

Efficiency (AFUE)

Burner Fuel (#2) 65% to 90%

Electricity 100%

Propane (bottled gas) 95%

Wood 50% to 70%

Wood Pellets 80%

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Heat Cost Comparisons

Formula for cost per million BTU(Cost per unit of fuel ($) x 1,000,000) divided by (Energy content per

unit of fuel (BTU) and the product of this divided by the Annual Fuel Utilization

Efficiency of your heating appliance

Fuel Cost per unit

Cost per million BTUs

Electricity $0.16/KWH $47

Oil #2 (65% AFUE)

$3.50/gallon $39

Hardwood (dry) $285/cord $24

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Human Thermal Comfort

is determined by six variables: • air temperature • air velocity• relative humidity • clothing• metabolic rate (activity level)• mean radiant temperature

Fanger, P.O., Thermal Comfort, McGraw Hill C., 1972, pag 256.

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Low cost ways to save energy

• Personal attitude & behavior• Wear layered warm clothes indoors

during winter• Take short showers instead of baths• Close windows & doors (train family)

Apartmentsand Homes

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No Cost… Low Cost

• Reducing heating costs– Turn down thermostat– Unblock heating and return air vents– Place reflectors behind radiators– Leave south-facing window curtains

open in winter and closed in summer to collect or prevent solar heat gain.

Apartmentsand Homes

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No Cost… Low Cost

• More Keeping Warm Tips– Clean and inspect furnace annually– Clean heating ducts and registers– Use foil tape to repair heating ducts– Use ceiling fans to circulate warm air– Check hot air furnace filters every 1 to 3

months– Close off unused rooms*

* Caution with baseboard heating systems

Apartmentsand Homes

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Caulking & Weather Stripping

Caulking and Weatherstripping will payback in one year and make you more comfortable

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Storm Windows & Banking House

• Plastic sheeting• Tar paper• Bags of leaves• Bales of straw or hay• Solid foam board

• Combination Windows• Glass Storm Windows• Plastic Storm Windows

(outside or inside)

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Effect of Window Treatments

Apartmentsand Homes

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Using Window Treatments

• Heavy Drapes

• Roman Shades

• Insulation Boards

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Door Draft Stoppers

Window Draft Snakes• Fill with

– foam pipe insulation– Sand– Plastic bags

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No Cost… Low Cost

Apartmentsand Homes

• Water Heating– Turn down temperature on hot water heater

(110o to 120o F)– Drain a few gallons from the bottom of your

hot water heating tank– If leaving for more than two days, turn off

water heater– Install low flow showerheads and aerators in

your faucets– Repair all leaking faucets– Insulate your water heater* and supply pipes

*not recommended to insulate gas water heaters

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Low Cost – No Cost

Apartmentsand Homes

• Lighting– Keep lights clean; shut off when not in use– Compact florescent bulbs– Timers

• Other appliances– Use power strip for computer,

television, VCR, recorders, satellite, etc. so you can turn them off completely when not in use.

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Holiday Lighting…Light Emitting Diode

(LED)

*typical amount of lighting used on the exterior and interior for one holiday season.** Assuming 240 hours of use (6 hours of use for 40 days) at an electric rate of

$0.16.kWh)

Bulb Type No. Feet Used*

Energy Usage (watts)

Av. Operating

Cost**C7 500 3500 $547C7 LED 500 116 $18Mini Incandescent

500 900 $141

LED Mini 500 67 $11

Apartmentsand Homes

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Save energy in the kitchen

• Match pan size to heating element • When cooking small meal, use microwave,

crock pot or toaster oven• Use the smallest pan necessary for the job • Keep the lid on to hold in heat• Reduce cooking time by defrosting food in

refrigerator first• Avoid looking in the oven as you cook!Source:You Can Do It! Low Cost No Cost Saving Tips, Slide Notes, North Carolina

Cooperative Extension

Apartmentsand Homes

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Refrigerator / Freezer

– Remove frost from freezer– Replace worn gaskets– Keep full – Clean the coils

Consider replacing appliances that are over 20 years old and/or in need of major repairs with energy star models

Apartmentsand Homes

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Save energy while doing dishes

• Use energy saving cycles• Use no-heat dry cycle• Don’t pre-rinse• Wash full loads• Load dishes according to

manufacturers instructions• If washing dishes by hand, turn water

on only to rinse

Apartmentsand Homes

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Save energy in the laundry room

• Use lower temperature settings• Wash in cold water whenever possible• Load the washer to capacity• Don’t over dry clothes• Dry two or more loads in a row• Clean dryer filter after each use• Dry full loads• Clean exhaust vents• Hang clothes outside!

Source: You Can Do It! Low Cost No Cost Saving Tips, Slide Notes, North Carolina Cooperative Extension

Apartmentsand Homes

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Programmable Thermostats• More convenient and accurate than

manual thermostats and:• Improve comfort• Contain no mercury• Save energy and money on utility bills

Save 1% annually for each degree setback for 8 hours per day

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Significant Initial Cost• Add insulation to walls and ceiling• Replace/add ventilation systems• Replace doors and windows with NFRC-

rated ones (National Fenestration Rating Council)

• Replace heating systems and air conditioners with Energy Star-rated ones

• Alternative fuels and heat sources• Other energy alternatives

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InsulationMaine R-value Recommendations

• Ceilings/attics: R-38 to R-49• Walls: R-13 to R-21• Floor over Crawl Space: R-25 to R-30 • Crawl Space Wall : R-19• Slab edge : R-8 • Basement Wall :

– R-11 (interior) R-10 (exterior)

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Building Material R-Value Comparison

5.5

1.25

1.25

0.79

0.58

0.45

0.31

0.2

0.08

0 1 2 3 4 5 6

Foams (rigid boards)

Plywood

Softwood

Wood Siding

Concrete Blocks

Gypsum Board (1/2")

Wood Paneling

Brick

Concrete

Mat

eria

l

R-value per inch

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R- Value of a Wall Section

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Example: Annual Energy CostsIncrease Attic Insulation

Cost R-27 Cost R-47

Fuel Costs (6% estimate savings)

$2,408 $2,268

Insulation (40 packs of lose fill cellulose @ $8.88)

$355

Savings estimate $145per year

Time to pay back insulation costs

2.5 years

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Insulation with ventilation to prevent ice dams

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Furnace or Boiler

• AFUE Rating• Annual Fuel Utilization

Efficiency (AFUE)• AFUE is the measurement

of a furnace’s heating efficiency

• Energy Star= AFUE of 90% or above AFUE of 97% is available

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Dollar Savings per $100 of Annual Fuel Cost

AFUE of new System

80% 85% 90% 95%

50% $38 $41 $44 $47

55% $31 $35 $39 $42

60% $25 $29 $33 $37

65% $19 $24 $28 $32

70% $13 $18 $22 $26

75% $6 $12 $17 $21

80% $6 $11 $16

85% $6 $11Amann, J. T, A. Wilson, & K. Ackerly, Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings, 9 th edition, 2007.

AF

UE

of

Exi

stin

g S

yste

m

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Return on Investment (RIO)Old System

(65% eff.)New System

(90% eff.)

Current Annual Fuel Costs

$3,800

Cost of installing a new system

$5,000

Annual Savings per $100 fuel costs

$28 * 38 = $1,064

ROI = Annual Savings / Cost of New System$1,064 / $5,000 = 0.21 or 21% ROI Payback period is 5 years.

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Supplement Current Heating System

• After servicing, cleaning and tuning up your current heating system you might consider a supplement heating system

– Electric space heater to use when you are in one room

– Wood stove or pellet stove used when you are home to heat one or more rooms

– Passive solar collector attached to a window to provide supplemental heat to a south facing room.

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Pros and Cons of Different Fuels and Energy Sources

• Easy to use• Inexpensive to use• No additional

equipment required• Minimal mechanical

knowledge required to operate

• Low risk of fire, smoke or carbon monoxide

• Restricted to certain sites due to sun, wind or water resources

• No widespread infrastructure to service equipment

• Complicated operating understanding

• Physical needs to carry and store fuel

• Insurance implications

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Compare Heating Fuels and Heat Distribution Systems

• Fuels– Oil– Natural gas– Propane– Electricity– Hardwood– Softwood– Wood pellets

• Heat Distribution Systems– Hot air– Hot water– Radiant heat

• Radiators• Radiant floor or

ceiling

– Space heating

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Wood Heat • Check chimney to be sure it

can support you wood stove. • Install with proper clearance

from combustible materials.• Install smoke and carbon

monoxide detectors to protect your family

• Use dry hardwood to stoke you stove

• Use care when closing off the damper or air supply to the fire. It can cause excess creosote production.

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Evolution of Heating by wood

• Fireplace• Fireplace stove insert• Masonry Heater “Russian Fireplace”• Wood stove

– 1990 EPA particulate emission standards• Catalytic converter wood stove • “Secondary burn” wood stove• Wood furnace – hot air• Wood boiler – hot water• Outdoor wood boiler

– www.epa.gov/woodheaters • Pellet stove

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Passive Solar

• Building faces south• Unobstructed view of sun• Consider with new construction

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Window Passive Solar Collector

www.builditsolar.com for more ideas

Apartmentsand Homes

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Active Solar Thermal Heating

• Need electricity to circulate heated fluid

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Solar Electric

• Solar electric systems, also known as photovoltaic (PV) systems, convert sunlight into electricity.

• Solar cells—the basic building blocks of a PV system—consist of semiconductor materials. When sunlight is absorbed by these materials, the solar energy knocks electrons loose from their atoms. This phenomenon is called the "photoelectric effect." These free electrons then travel into a circuit built into the solar cell to form electrical current.

• http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/electricity/index.cfm/mytopic=10720

• Maine Solar Energy Association – http://ellsworthme.org/MESEA/

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Heat Pump

• Ground source systems have usually been installed in Maine.• Air source systems may not work as well in our cold climate but

new technology is being developed to make it more practical for Maine.

• Need electricity to circulate heated fluid

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Small Windmill for ME?

• You have enough wind –Wind analysis of your site with a year’s worth of data

• Tall towers allowed in your area?• You have enough space for your

tower• Certified Electrician may be

necessary for loans or rebates or if you plan to connect your system to power grid

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• You determine how much electricity you need/want – Av. Home needs a 5 to 15 kw turbine– $3,000 to $5,000 per kilowatt generated

• Need battery storage and alternative backup for windless days

• Determine if it works economically for you

A good reference for developing a home windmill site: http://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/pdfs/small_wind/

small_wind_me.pdf

Small Windmill for ME? cont.

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How Do I Pay For Energy Improvements?

• Own savings• Low income assistance

– CAP Agencies– Area Aging Agencies

• Loans– Banks– Rural Development

• Tax savings• Incentives / Rebates• Renting a room or part of the house?

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Previous Tax Incentives• Home Improvement Tax Credits

– Windows and doors– Roofing– Insulation– HVAC– Water heaters– Energy efficient cars and trucks– Solar, wind, geothermal energy

• Watch for future tax incentives for energy improvements

http://www.energy.gov/taxbreaks.htm

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Energy Resources

• http://www.extension.umaine.edu/energy/default.htm

• http://www1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/tips/

Please take a few minutes to complete a program evaluation