student verification and...
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StudyGuideforSavingHomeEnergyforRealEstateProfessionalsCourseThisstudyguidecanhelpyou:
• takenotes;• readandstudyoffline;• organizeinformation;and• prepareforassignmentsandassessments.
AsamemberofInterNACHI,youmaycheckyoureducationfolder,transcript,andcoursecompletionsbyloggingintoyourMembers-OnlyAccountatwww.nachi.org/account.Topurchasetextbooks(printedandelectronic),visitInterNACHI’secommercepartnerInspectorOutletatwww.inspectoroutlet.com.Copyright©2007-2015InternationalAssociationofCertifiedHomeInspectors,Inc.
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StudentVerificationandInteractivityStudentVerificationByenrollinginthiscourse,thestudentherebyatteststhats/heisthepersoncompletingallcoursework.S/heunderstandsthathavinganotherpersoncompletethecourseworkforhimorherisfraudulentandwillresultinbeingdeniedcoursecompletionandcorrespondingcredithours.Thecourseproviderreservestherighttomakecontactasnecessarytoverifytheintegrityofanyinformationsubmittedorcommunicatedbythestudent.Thestudentagreesnottoduplicateordistributeanypartofthiscopyrightedworkorprovideotherpartieswiththeanswersorcopiesoftheassessmentsthatarepartofthiscourse.Ifplagiarismorcopyrightinfringementisproven,thestudentwillbenotifiedofsuchandbarredfromthecourseand/orhavehis/hercredithoursand/orcertificationrevoked.Communicationonthemessageboardorforumshallbeofthepersoncompletingallcoursework.
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Introduction
WelcometoInterNACHI'sfree,onlineSavingHomeEnergyforRealEstateProfessionalscourse.
Thiscoursewillteachyouhoweasyitistoreduceyourenergyuseathome,includingtipsyoucanusetoday.Thereareeasy,practicalsolutionsforsavingenergythroughoutyourhome—fromtheroof,walls,andinsulationthatencloseit,totheappliancesandlightsinside.Pleasetakeafewmomentstoreadthevaluabletipstostartsavingenergyandmoneytoday.
Rightinyourownhome,youhavethepowertoreduceenergydemand,andwhenyoureducedemand,youcuttheamountofnaturalresources,suchascoalandgas,thatareneededtomakeenergy.Thatmeansyoucancreatelessgreenhousegasemissions,whichkeepsaircleanerforallofus…andsavesonyourutilitybills!Plus,reducingenergyuseincreasesourenergysecurity.
AHome'sEnergyUse
Yourhomeusesenergyeveryday,alldaylong.Tounderstandwhereenergyisbeingusedinyourhome,refertoyourInterNACHIHomeEnergyReport™providedtoyoubyyourlocalhomeinspector.You'lllearnmoreaboutHomeEnergyReportsinthenextpageofthiscourse.
Ahouseusesenergytokeepyouwarminthewinterandcoolinthesummer.Itusesenergytoprovideyouwithlightwhenyouneedit.Itusesenergytoprovideyouwithhotwater.Anditusesenergytorunallofyourappliancesandhomeelectronics.
Thisonlinecoursewillteachyouhowtousetheenergyinyourhomemoreefficiently.Youcanalsolearnhowtouserenewableenergytoprovideyourhomewithelectricity,heating,cooling,andwaterheating.
Forexample,anaveragehouseholddedicates6%ofitsenergybudgettolighting.Usingnewer“green”lightingtechnologiescanreducethelightingenergyuseinyourhomeby50%to75%.
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Byfollowingjustafewofthesimpletipsfoundinthiscourse,youcanmakeyourhomemorecomfortableandeasiertoheatandcool—whileyousavemoney.WeencourageyoutokeepreadingyourHomeEnergyReportandmaketherecommendedhomeenergyimprovementsthatwillhelpyousavemoneybysavingenergy.
What'saHomeEnergyReport?
Ittakesalotofenergytoheat,cool,andoperateahome.Mosthomebuyershavenoideahowmuchitwillcostthemtooperatetheirhomeoncetheymovein.Currenthomeownersdonotfullyunderstandhowmuchenergyand,therefore,moneyisbeingwastedbytheirhome.Andiftheydidunderstand,neitherhomebuyersnorhomeownerswouldknowwhattodoaboutit.
YourHomeEnergyReportprovidedtoyoubyyourhomeinspectorwillgiveyouaquickunderstandingof:•howmuchyourhomewillcosttooperate;•whereenergy(and,therefore,yourmoney)isbeingwasted;and•whatyoucandotosaveenergyandincreasecomfort.
ByHiringaHomeEnergyInspector
Homeownersoftenfindthatenergyimprovementscandramaticallyimprovethecomfortandconditionoftheirhomes,soitmakessensetoactassoonaspossibletoenhanceyourqualityoflife.ByhiringanInterNACHIHomeEnergyInspector,youcanquicklylearnhowtosaveenergyandmoneywhilealsoseeinghowyourhomerankscomparedtoothersinyourarea.
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ToPerformaHomeEnergyInspection
ToperformaHomeEnergyInspection,theinspectorconductsabriefwalk-throughofthehomeandcollects40datapointsrelatedtohomeenergy.Theinspectorthenentersthedataintoaweb-basedenergycalculatordevelopedbyInterNACHI,theInternationalAssociationofCertifiedHomeInspectors,to:•estimatethehome’syearlyenergyusage;•pinpointpotentialenergyinefficiencies;•calculateascorebasedontheseestimates;and•developrecommendationsforenergyimprovements.
Recommendations
TheHomeEnergyReportlistsrecommendationsforenergyupgradesthatarespecifictothehouse,aswellasanestimateofhowmuchtheimprovementscanreduceitsutilitybills.Thereportisbasedonthedatacollected,thenationalaveragecostsforinstallationofspecificenergyimprovements,andthestate’saverageforresidentialutilitycosts.
Someoftherecommendationsforenergyupgradesaresimpleforahomeownertodo.Othersrequiremoreinvestmentandtheworkofqualifiedprofessionalsbutpromiselargefinancialsavingsovertime.
VerifyEnergyUpgrades
YoucanaskyourInterNACHI-CertifiedHomeEnergyInspectortoincludeapost-upgradeinspectionaspartoftheimprovementpackagetoverifythatyourhome’senergyefficiencyisgreaterafteryou’vemadetherecommendedenergyupgrades.Notonlyisthisproofthatyourhomeisperformingbetter,buttheReportcanserveasofficialdocumentationthattheimprovementsyou’vemadehaveenhancedyourhome’sperformance,whichaddstoyourhome’sappealwhenyou’rereadytosell.
StartSavingEnergyandMoneyToday
DidYouKnow…?
IfeveryAmericanhomereplacedjustonelightbulbwithalightbulbthat’searnedtheENERGYSTARlabel,wewouldsaveenoughenergytolight3millionhomesforayear,saveabout$600millioninannualenergycosts,andprevent9billionpoundsofgreenhousegasemissionsperyear,equivalenttothosefromabout800,000cars.
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DownloadtheLighting-Tip-Card,whichprovidesthemoneysavingsfromnewlightingchoicesaswellasinformationonlumensandthelightingfactslabel.
Herearesomeeasylow-costandno-costwaystosaveenergy:
• Installaprogrammablethermostattokeepyourhousecomfortablywarminthewinterandcomfortablycoolinthesummer
• Usecompactfluorescentlightbulbs(CFLs)withtheENERGYSTARlabel.
• Air-drydishesinsteadofusingyourdishwasher’sdryingcycle.• Turnoffyourcomputerandmonitorwhennotinuse.• Plughomeelectronics,suchasTVsandDVDplayers,intopower
strips;turnthepowerstripsoffwhentheequipmentisnotinuse(TVsandDVDsinstandbymodestilluseseveralwattsofpower).
• Lowerthethermostatonyourhotwaterheaterto120°F.• Takeshortshowersinsteadofbaths.• Washonlyfullloadsofdishesandclothes.• LookfortheENERGYSTARlabelonhomeappliancesandproducts.ENERGYSTAR
productsmeetstrictefficiencyguidelinessetbytheU.S.DepartmentofEnergyandtheEnvironmentalProtectionAgency.
• Visitwww.energysavers.govformoreenergy-savingideas.
DidYouAlsoKnow…?
DidyouknowthatthetypicalU.S.familyspendsabout$2,200ayearonhomeutilitybills?
Unfortunately,alargeportionofthatenergyiswasted.Andeachyear,electricitygeneratedbyfossilfuelsforasinglehomeputsmorecarbondioxideintotheairthantwoaveragecars.Thegoodnewsisthatthereisalotyoucandotosaveenergyandmoneyathome.Thekeytoachievingthesesavingsinyourhomeisawhole-houseenergyefficiencyplan.Totakeawhole-houseapproach,viewyourhomeasanenergysystemwithinterdependentparts.Forexample,yourheatingsystemisnotjustafurnace—it’saheat-deliverysystemthatstartsatthefurnaceanddeliversheatthroughoutyourhomeusinganetworkofducts.Evenatop-of-the-line,energy-efficientfurnacewillwastealotoffueliftheducts,walls,attic,windowsanddoorsarenotproperlysealedandinsulated.Takingawhole-houseapproachtosavingenergyensuresthatthedollarsyouinvesttosaveenergyarespentwisely.Energy-efficientimprovementsnotonlymakeyourhomemorecomfortable,theycanyield
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long-termfinancialrewards.Reducedutilitybillsmorethanmakeupforthehigherinitialcostofthepurchaseofenergy-efficientappliancesandimprovementsovertheirlifetimes.Inaddition,yourhomecouldbringinahigherpricewhenyousell.
HowWeUseEnergyinOurHomes
Heatingaccountsforthebiggestchunkofatypicalutilitybill.
Source:2010BuildingsEnergyDataBook,Table2.1.1ResidentialPrimaryEnergyConsumption,byYearandFuelType.Largerview.
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HeatLossfromaHouse
Apictureisworth…inthiscase,lostheatingdollars.Thisthermalphotoshowsheatenteringabathroomshowerceilingduringthoseexpensivesummercoolingmonths.Thewhite,yellowandredcolorsshowhotspots.Heat-gainareaslikethismakeitmoreexpensivetocoolthehouseinthesummer.Tips:InsulationandSealingAirLeaks
Checkingyourhome’sinsulationisoneofthefastestandmostcost-effectivewaystouseawhole-houseapproachtoreduceenergywasteandmakethemostofyourenergydollars.Agoodinsulatingsystemincludesacombinationofproductsandconstructiontechniquesthatprotectahomefromoutsidehotandcoldtemperatures,protectitagainstairleaks,andcontrolmoisture.Youcanincreasethecomfortofyourhomewhilereducingyourheatingandcoolingneedsbyinvestinginproperinsulationandsealingairleaks.
ShouldIInsulateMyHome?
Insulateyourhomewhen:•Youhaveanolderhomeandhaven’taddedinsulation.Only20%ofhomesbuiltbefore1980arewell-insulated.•Youareuncomfortablycoldinthewinterorhotinthesummer.Addinginsulationcreatesamoreuniformtemperatureandincreasescomfort.•Youbuildanewhomeoraddition,orinstallnewsidingorroofing.•Youpayhighenergybills.•Youarebotheredbynoisefromoutside.Insulationmufflessound.
R-ValueofInsulation
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Checktheinsulationinyourattic,ceilings,exteriorandbasementwalls,floorsandcrawlspacetoseeifitmeetsthelevelsrecommendedforyourarea.InsulationismeasuredinR-values—thehighertheR-value,thebetteryourwallsandroofwillresistthetransferofheat.TheDOErecommendsrangesofR-valuesbasedonlocalheatingandcoolingcostsandclimateconditionsindifferentareasofthecountry.ThemapandchartbelowshowtheDOErecommendationsforyourarea.StateandlocalcodeminimuminsulationrequirementsmaybelessthantheDOErecommendations,whicharebasedoncosteffectiveness.FourTypesofInsulationAlthoughinsulationcanbemadefromavarietyofmaterials,itusuallycomesinfourtypes,andeachtypehasdifferentcharacteristics.
Rollsandbattsorblanketsareflexibleproductsmadefrommineralfibers,suchasfiberglassandrockwool.They’reavailableinwidthssuitedtostandardspacingsofwallstudsandatticandfloorjoists:2×4wallscanholdR-13orR-15batts;2×6wallscanuseR-19orR-21products.
Loose-fillinsulationisusuallymadeoffiberglass,rockwool,orcelluloseintheformofloosefibersorfiberpellets.Itshouldbeblownintospacesusingspecialpneumaticequipment.Theblown-inmaterialconformsreadilytobuildingcavitiesandattics.Therefore,loose-fillinsulationiswell-suitedtoplaceswhereit’sdifficulttoinstallothertypesofinsulation.
Rigidfoamorfoamboardinsulationistypicallymoreexpensivethanfiberinsulation,butit’sveryeffectiveinbuildingswithspacelimitationsandwherehigherR-valuesareneeded.FoaminsulationR-valuesrangefromR-4toR-6.5perinchofthickness,whichisuptotwotimesgreaterthanmostotherinsulatingmaterialsofthesamethickness.
Foam-in-placeinsulationcanbeblownintowalls.Itreducesairleakageifit’sblownintocracks,suchasaroundwindowanddoorframes.
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WheretoInsulate
1.Inunfinishedatticspaces,insulatebetweenandoverfloorjoiststosealofflivingspacesbelow.
2.Infinishedatticroomswithorwithoutdormers:
• 2A.insulatebetweenstudsofkneewalls;• 2B.insulatebetweenstudsandraftersofexteriorwallsandtheroof;• 2C.insulateceilingswithcoldspaceabove;and• 2D.extendinsulationintojoistspacestoreduceairflow.
3.Insulateatexteriorwalls,suchas:
• 3A.wallsbetweenlivingspacesandunheatedgarages,shedroofs,andstorageareas;
• 3B.foundationwallsaboveground;and• 3C.foundationwallsinheatedbasements.
4.Insulateabovecoldspaces,ventedcrawlspaces,andunheatedgarages.Also:
• 4A.insulateanyportionofthefloorinaroomthatcantileversbeyondanexteriorwall;
• 4B.insulateslabfloorsbuiltdirectlyontheground;• 4C.insulatefoundationwallsofunventedcrawlspaces;and• 4D.extendinsulationintojoistspacestoreduceairflow.
Addinginsulationintheareasshownabovemaybethebestwaytoimproveyourhome’senergyefficiency.Insulateeithertheatticfloororundertheroof.Checkwithacontractoraboutcrawlspaceorbasementinsulation.
InsulationTips
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• Considerfactorssuchasyourclimate,buildingdesignandbudgetwhenselectinginsulationR-valuesforyourhome.
• Usehigher-densityinsulation,suchasrigidfoamboard,onexteriorwalls,incathedralceilings,andonexteriorwalls.
• Ventilationhelpswithmoisturecontrolandforreducingsummercoolingbills.Atticventscanbeinstalledalongtheentireceilingcavity,fromthesoffittotheattic,tohelpensureproperairflowtomakeahomemorecomfortableandenergy-efficient.Donotventilateyouratticifyouhaveinsulationontheundersideoftheroof.Checkwithaqualifiedcontractor.
• Recessedlightfixturescanbeamajorsourceofheatloss,butyouneedtobecarefulofhowcloseyouplaceinsulationnexttoafixtureunlessit’smarked“IC,”whichmeansit’sdesignedfordirectinsulationcontact.Checkyourlocalbuildingcodesforrecommendations.
Long-TermSavingsTips
Oneofthemostcost-effectivewaystomakeyourhomemorecomfortableyear-roundistoaddinsulationtoyourattic.
Addinginsulationtotheatticisrelativelyeasy.Tofindoutifyouhaveenoughbeforeaddingmore,measurethethicknessoftheinsulationthat’scurrentlyinstalled.Ifit’slessthanR-30(11inchesoffiberglassorrockwool,or8inchesofcellulose),youcouldprobablybenefitbyaddingmore.MostU.S.homesshouldhavebetweenR-30andR-60insulationintheattic.Don’tforgettheattictraporaccessdoor.
Ifyourattichasenoughinsulationandyourhomestillfeelsdraftyandcoldinthewinterortoowarminthesummer,chancesareyouneedtoaddinsulationtotheexteriorwalls,aswell.Thisisamoreexpensivemeasurethatusuallyrequiresacontractor,butitmaybeworththecostifyouliveinaveryhotorcoldclimate.Ifyoureplacetheexteriorsidingonyourhome,youshouldconsideraddinginsulationatthesametime.
Youmayalsoneedtoaddinsulationtoyourcrawlspaceorbasement.Checkwithaprofessionalcontractor.
• Followtheproductinstructionsasspecifiedontheproductpackagingforguidelinesonproperinstallation,andbesuretoweartheproperprotectivegearwheninstallinginsulation.
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InsulationforNewConstruction
Fornewhomesinmostclimates,youwillsavemoneyandenergyifyouinstallacombinationofcavityinsulationandinsulativesheathing.CavityinsulationcanbeinstalledatlevelsuptoR-15ina2×4-inchwall,anduptoR-21ina2×6-inchwall.Theinsulativesheathing,usedinadditiontothiscavityinsulation,helpstoreducetheenergythatwouldotherwisebelostthroughthewoodframe.Forexample,inZone5,youcoulduseeithera2×4wallwithR-13ora2×6wallwithR-21.Foreitherofthosetwowalls,youshouldalsouseaninchofinsulativesheathingthathasanR-valueofR-5orR-6.
Today,newproductsareonthemarketthatprovidebothinsulationandstructuralsupportandshouldbeconsideredfornewhomeconstructionandadditions.Structuralinsulatedpanels,knownasSIPs,andmasonryproducts,suchasinsulatingconcreteforms,orICFs,aretwoofthesenewerproducts.Somehomebuildersevenuseanoldtechniqueborrowedfromthepioneers:buildingwallsusingstrawbales.Radiantbarriers(inhotclimates),reflectiveinsulation,andfoundationinsulationshouldallbeconsideredfornewhomeconstruction.Checkwithyourcontractorformoreinformationabouttheseoptions.
AirLeaksandEnergyLossSealingAirLeaks
Warmairleakingintoyourhomeduringthesummerandoutofyourhomeduringthewintercanwastealotofyourenergydollars.Oneofthequickestdollar-savingtasksyoucanperformiscaulk,sealandweatherstripallseams,cracksandopeningstotheoutside.Youcansaveonyourheatingandcoolingbillsbyreducingtheseairleaksinyourhome.
HowDoesAirEscape?
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SourcesofAirLeaksinYourHome
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Clicktoenlarge.
Areasthatleakairintoandoutofyourhomecostyoulotsofmoney.Checktheareaslistedbelow:
• droppedceilings;• recessedlightfixtures;• atticentrance;• sillplates;• waterandfurnaceflues;• allducts;• doorframes;• chimneyflashing;• windowframes;• electricaloutletsandswitchplates;and• plumbingandutilityaccesses;
TipsforFindingandSealingAirLeaks
Airinfiltratesintoandoutofyourhomethrougheveryholeandcrack.Aboutone-thirdofthisairinfiltratesthroughopeningsinyourceilings,wallsandfloors.Herearesomemeasuresyoucantakeyourself.
• First,testyourhomeforair-tightness.Onawindyday,carefullyholdalitincensestickorasmokepennexttoyourwindows,doors,electricalboxes,plumbingfixtures,electricaloutlets,ceilingfixtures,attichatches,andotherlocationswherethereisapossibleairpathtotheoutside.Ifthesmokestreamtravelshorizontally,youhavelocatedanairleakthatmayneedcaulking,sealingorweather-stripping.
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• Caulkandweatherstripdoorsandwindowsthatleakair.• Caulkandsealairleakswhereplumbing,ductingorelectricalwiringpenetrates
throughwalls,floors,ceilings,andsoffitslocatedovercabinets.• Installfoamgasketsbehindoutletandswitchplatesonwalls.• Lookfordirtyspotsinyourinsulation,whichoftenindicateholeswhereairleaks
intoandoutofyourhouse.Youcansealtheholeswithlow-expansionsprayfoammadeforthispurpose.
• Lookfordirtyspotsonyourceilingpaintandcarpet,whichmayindicateairleaksatinteriorwall-ceilingjointsandwall-floorjoints.Thesejointscanbecaulked.
• Installstormwindowsoversingle-panewindows,orreplacethemwithmoreefficientwindows,suchasdouble-pane.
• Whenthefireplaceisnotinuse,keepthefluedampertightlyclosed.Achimneyisdesignedspecificallyforsmoketoescape,sountilyoucloseit,warmairescapes—24hoursaday!
• Fornewconstruction,reduceexteriorwallleaksbyinstallinghousewrap,tapingthejointsofexteriorsheathing,andcaulkingandsealingalltheexteriorwalls.
• Usefoamsealantforlargergapsaroundwindows,baseboards,andotherplaceswherewarmairmaybeleakingout.
• Kitchenexhaustfancoverscankeepairfromleakinginwhentheexhaustfanisnotinuse.Thecoverstypicallyattachviamagnetsforeaseofreplacement.
• Replacingexistingdoorbottomsandthresholdswithonesthathavepliablesealinggasketsisagreatwaytopreventconditionedairfromleakingoutunderneathexteriordoors.
• Fireplacefluesaremadefrommetaland,overtime,repeatedheatingandcoolingcancausethemetaltowarporbreak,creatingachannelforhotorcoldairloss.Inflatablechimneyballoonsaredesignedtofitbeneathyourfireplaceflueduringperiodsofnon-use.They’remadefromseverallayersofdurableplasticandcanberemovedeasilyandreusedhundredsoftimes.Shouldyouforgettoremovetheballoonbeforemakingafire,theballoonwillautomaticallydeflatewithinsecondsofcomingintocontactwithheat.
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Quiz#1Anaveragehouseholddedicates_____ofitsenergybudgettolighting.
• 6%• 20%• 39%
ThetypicalU.S.familyspendsabout$_____ayearonhomeutilitybills.
• 2,200• 500• 3,900
Heatingaccountsforthe______chunkofatypicalutilitybill.
• biggest• smallest
T/F:Checkingyourhome’sinsulationisoneofthefastestandmostcost-effectivewaystouseawhole-houseapproachtoreduceenergywasteandmakethemostofyourenergydollars.
• True• False
About_____%ofhomesbuiltbefore1980arewell-insulated.
• 20• 5• 30• 50
T/F:Recessedlightfixturescanbeamajorsourceofheatloss.
• True• False
Youcansaveonyourheatingandcoolingbillsbyreducingairleaksinyourhome.
• True• False
HeatingandCoolingSystems
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Althoughseveraldifferenttypesoffuelsareavailabletoheatourhomes,almosthalfofususenaturalgas.
Clicktoenlarge.
Heatingandcoolingyourhomeusesmoreenergyanddrainsmoreenergydollarsthananyothersysteminyourhome.Typically,43%ofyourutilitybillgoesforheatingandcooling.What’smore,heatingandcoolingsystemsintheUnitedStatestogetheremit150milliontonsofcarbondioxideintotheatmosphereeachyear,addingtoglobalclimatechange.Theyalsogenerateabout12%ofthenation’ssulfurdioxideand4%ofthenitrogenoxides,thechiefingredientsinacidrain.
Nomatterwhatkindofheating,ventilation,andair-conditioningsystemyouhaveinyourhouse,youcansavemoneyandincreaseyourcomfortbyproperlymaintainingandupgradingyourequipment.Butremember,anenergy-efficientfurnacealonewillnothaveasgreatanimpactonyourenergybillsasusingthewhole-houseapproach.Bycombiningproperequipmentmaintenanceandupgradeswithappropriateinsulation,airsealing,andthermostatsettings,youcancutyourenergyuseforheatingandcoolingandreduceenvironmentalemissionsbyupto50%.
HeatingandCoolingTips
• Setyourthermostataslowasiscomfortableinthewinterandashighasiscomfortableinthesummer.
• Cleanorreplacefiltersonthefurnaceonceamonthorasneeded.• Cleanwarm-airregisters,baseboardheatersandradiatorsasneeded,andmake
surethey’renotblockedbyfurniture,carpetingordrapes.• Bleedtrappedairfromhot-waterradiatorsonceortwiceaseason;ifindoubtabout
howtoperformthistask,callaprofessional.• Placeheat-resistantradiatorreflectorsbetweenexteriorwallsandtheradiators.• Turnoffkitchen,bathandotherexhaustfanswithin20minutesafteryou’redone
cookingorbathing.• Whenreplacingexhaustfans,considerinstallinghigh-efficiency,low-noisemodels.
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• Duringtheheatingseason,keepthedraperiesandshadesonyoursouth-facingwindowsopenduringthedaytoallowthesunlighttoenteryourhome.Closethematnighttoreducethechillyoumayfeelfromcoldwindows.
• Duringthecoolingseason,keepthewindowcoveringsclosedduringthedaytopreventsolargain.
Long-TermSavingsTips
• Whenyoubuynewheatingandcoolingequipment,selectenergy-efficientproducts.Yourcontractorshouldbeabletogiveyouenergyfactsheetsfordifferenttypes,modelsanddesignstohelpyoucompareenergyusage.Forfurnaces,lookforhighAnnualFuelUtilizationEfficiency(AFUE)ratings.Thenationalminimumis78%AFUE,butthereareENERGYSTARmodelsonthemarketthatexceed90%AFUE.
• Forairconditioners,lookforahighSeasonalEnergyEfficiencyRatio(SEER).Thecurrentminimumis13SEERforcentralairconditioners.ENERGYSTARmodelsare14SEERormore.
Ducts
Oneofthemostimportantsystemsinyourhome,thoughit’shiddenbeneathyourfeetandoveryourhead,maybewastingalotofyourenergydollars.Yourhome’sductsystem,abranchingnetworkoftubesinthewalls,floorsandceilings,carriestheairfromyourhome’sfurnaceandcentralairconditionertoeachroom.Ductsaremadeofsheetmetal,fiberglassorothermaterials.
Unfortunately,manyductsystemsarepoorlyinsulatedornotinsulatedproperly.Ductsthatleakheatedairintounheatedspacescanaddhundredsofdollarsayeartoyourheatingandcoolingbills.Insulatingtheductsthatareinunconditionedspacesisusuallyverycost-effective.Ifyou’rehavinganewductsysteminstalled,consideronethatcomeswithinsulationalreadyapplied.
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Clicktoenlarge.
Sealingyourductstopreventleaksisevenmoreimportantiftheductsarelocatedinanunconditionedarea,suchasanatticorventedcrawlspace.Ifthesupplyductsareleaking,heatedorcooledaircanbelostbybeingforcedoutofunsealedjoints.Inaddition,unconditionedaircanbedrawnintoreturnductsthroughunsealedjoints.Inthesummer,hotatticaircanbedrawnin,increasingtheworkloadontheairconditioner.Inthewinter,yourfurnacewillhavetoworklongertokeepyourhousecomfortable.Eitherway,yourenergylossescostyoumoney.
Althoughminorductrepairsareeasytomake,ductsinunconditionedspacesshouldbesealedandinsulatedbyqualifiedprofessionalsusingappropriatesealingmaterials.
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DuctTips
Thefollowingareafewsimpletipstohelpwithminorductrepairs:
• Checkyourductsforairleaks.First,lookforsectionsthatshouldbejoinedbuthaveseparated,andthenlookforobviousholes.
• Ifyouusetapetosealyourducts,avoidcloth-backed,rubberadhesiveducttape,whichtendstofailquickly.Researchersrecommendotherproductstosealducts:mastic,butyltape,foiltape,andotherheat-approvedtapes.LookfortapewiththeUnderwritersLaboratorieslogo.
• Rememberthatinsulatingductsinthebasementwillmakethebasementcolder.Ifboththeductsandthebasementwallsareuninsulated,considerinsulatingboth.Waterpipesanddrainsinunconditionedspacescouldfreezeandburstiftheheatductsarefullyinsulatedbecausetherewouldbenoheatsourcetopreventthespacefromfreezingincoldweather.However,usinganelectricheatingtapewraponthepipescanpreventthis.Checkwithaprofessionalcontractor.
Ducts:OutofSight,OutofMind
Theunsealedductsinyouratticandcrawlspaceloseair,anduninsulatedductsloseheat,wastingenergyandmoney.
• Ifyourbasementhasbeenconvertedtoalivingarea,hireaprofessionaltoinstallbothsupplyandreturnregistersinthebasementrooms.
• Besureawell-sealedvaporbarrierexistsontheoutsideoftheinsulationoncoolingductstopreventmoisturebuildup.
• Whendoingductwork,besuretogetprofessionalhelp.Changesandrepairstoaductsystemshouldalwaysbeperformedbyaqualifiedtechnician.
• Ductsthatdon’tworkproperlycancreateserious,life-threateningcarbonmonoxide(CO)problemsinthehome.Ifyouhaveafuel-burningfurnace,stoveorotherappliance,oranattachedgarage,installaCOmonitortoalertyoutoharmfulCOlevels.
Long-TermSavingsTip
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• Ifyourductsaren’tinsulatedandtravelthroughunheatedspaces,suchastheatticorcrawlspace,youcanloseupto60%ofyourheatedairbeforeitreachestheregister.Getaqualifiedprofessionaltohelpyouinsulateandrepairducts.
HeatPumps
Clicktoenlarge.
Heatpumpsarethemostefficientformofelectricheatinginmoderateclimates,providingthreetimesmoreheatingthantheequivalentamountofenergytheyconsumeinelectricity.Therearethreetypesofheatpumps:air-to-air,water-source,andground-source.Theycollectheatfromtheair,waterorgroundoutsideyourhomeandconcentrateitforuseinside.Heatpumpsperformdoubledutyasacentralairconditioner.Theycanalsocoolyourhomebycollectingtheheatinsideyourhouseandeffectivelypumpingitoutside.Aheatpumpcantrimtheamountofelectricityyouuseforheatingbyupto40%.
HeatPumpTips
• Donotsetbacktheheatpump’sthermostatmanuallyifitcausestheelectricresistanceheatingtocomeon.Thistypeofheating,whichisoftenusedasabackuptotheheatpump,ismoreexpensive.
• Cleanorchangefiltersonceamonthorasneeded,andmaintainthesystemaccordingtomanufacturer’sinstructions.
Long-TermSavingsTip
• Ifyouuseelectricitytoheatyourhomeandliveinamoderateclimate,considerinstallinganenergy-efficientheat-pumpsystem.
SolarHeatingandCooling
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Usingpassivesolardesigntechniquestoheatandcoolyourhomecanbebothenvironmentallyfriendlyandcost-effective.Passivesolarheatingtechniquesincludeplacinglargerinsulatedwindowsonsouth-facingwalls,andlocatingthermalmass,suchasaconcreteslabfloororaheat-absorbingwall,closetothewindows.Inmanycases,yourheatingcostscouldbemorethan50%lowerthanthecostofheatingthesamehousethatdoesnotincorporateapassivesolardesign.
Passivesolardesigncanalsohelpreduceyourcoolingcosts.Passivesolarcoolingtechniquesincludecarefullydesignedoverhangs,windowswithreflectivecoatings,andreflectivecoatingsonexteriorwallsandtheroof.
Apassivesolarhouserequirescarefuldesignandsiteorientation,whichdependonthelocalclimate.So,ifyou’reconsideringpassivesolardesignfornewconstructionoramajorremodeling,youshouldconsultanarchitectfamiliarwithpassivesolartechniques.
SolarTips
• Keepallsouth-facingglassclean.• Makesurethatnoobjectsareblockingthesunlightshiningonconcreteslabfloors
orheat-absorbingwalls.
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NaturalGasandOilHeatingSystems
Ifyouplantobuyanewheatingsystem,askyourlocalutilityorstateenergyofficeforinformationaboutthelatesttechnologiesavailabletoconsumers.Theycanadviseyouaboutmoreefficientsystemsonthemarkettoday.Forexample,manynewermodelsincorporatedesignsforburnersandheatexchangersthatresultinhigherefficienciesduringoperationandreduceheatlosswhentheequipmentisoff.Considerasealedcombustionfurnace;theyarebothsaferandmoreefficient.
Long-TermSavingsTip
• Installanewenergy-efficientfurnacetosavemoneyoverthelongterm.LookfortheENERGYSTARandEnergyGuidelabels.
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Carbon-MonoxideDetector
Carbon-monoxide(CO)detectorsarerecommended(andmayevenberequiredbylocalcodes)inhomeswithfuel-burningappliances,suchasnaturalgasfurnaces,stoves,ovensandwaterheaters,andfuel-burningspaceheaters.AnalarmsignalshomeownersifCOlevelsreachpotentiallydangerouslevels.
AirConditioners
Enlargeillustration.
Sizingisimportantforbothroomandcentralair-conditioningsystems,whichneedtobesizedbyprofessionals.Buyingabiggerroomair-conditioningunitwon’tnecessarilymakeyoufeelmorecomfortableduringthehotsummermonths.Infact,aroomairconditionerthat’stoobigfortheareaitissupposedtocoolwillperformlessefficientlyandlesseffectivelythana
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smaller,properlysizedunit.Ifyouhaveacentralairsysteminyourhome,setthefantoshutoffatthesametimeasthecoolingunit(compressor).Inotherwords,don’tusethesystem’scentralfantoprovidecirculation,butinsteadusecirculatingfansinindividualrooms.
CoolingTips
• Whole-housefanshelpcoolyourhomebypullingcoolairthroughthehouseandexhaustingwarmairthroughtheattic.
• Setyourthermostatashighascomfortableinthesummer.Thesmallerthedifferencebetweentheindoorandoutdoortemperatures,theloweryouroverallcoolingbillwillbe.
• Avoidsettingyourthermostatatacoldersettingthannormal.Itwillnotcoolyourhomeanyfasterandcouldresultinexcessivecoolingand,therefore,unnecessaryexpense.
• Considerusinganinteriorfaninconjunctionwithyourwindowairconditionertospreadthecooledairmoreeffectivelythroughyourhomewithoutgreatlyincreasingyourpoweruse.
• AvoidplacinglampsorTVsetsnearyourair-conditioningthermostat.Thethermostatsensesheatfromtheseappliances,whichcancausetheairconditionertorunlongerthannecessary.
Long-TermSavingsTips
• Ifyourairconditionerisold,considerpurchasinganew,energy-efficientmodel.Youcouldsaveupto50%onyourutilitybillsforcooling.LookfortheENERGYSTARandEnergyGuidelabels.
• Considerinstallingawhole-housefanorevaporativecooler,ifit’sappropriateforyourclimate.
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ProgrammableThermostats
Youcansaveasmuchas10%ayearonyourheatingandcoolingbillsbysimplyturningyourthermostatback10%to15%foreighthours.Youcandothisautomaticallybyinstallinganautomaticsetbackorprogrammablethermostat.Usingaprogrammablethermostat,youcanadjustthetimesyouturnontheheatingorairconditioningaccordingtoapre-setschedule.Asaresult,theequipmentdoesn’toperateasmuchwhenyou’reasleeporwhenthehouse(orapartofit)isn’toccupied.Programmablethermostatscanstoreandrepeatmultipledailysettings(sixormoretemperaturesettingsaday)thatyoucanmanuallyoverridewithoutaffectingtherestofthedailyorweeklyprogram.
Usingaprogrammablethermostat,youcanautomaticallyturndownyourheatatnightorwhenyou’renotathome.
Inthesummer,youcansavemoneybyautomaticallyturningyourairconditioningupatnightorwhenyou’reatwork.
Landscaping
Landscapingisanaturalandbeautifulwaytokeepyourhomecoolinsummerandreduceyourenergybills.Awell-placedtree,shruborvinecandelivereffectiveshade,actasawindbreak,andreduceyourenergybills.Carefullypositionedtreescansaveupto25%oftheenergyatypicalhouseholduses.Researchshowsthatsummerdaytimeairtemperaturescanbe3°to6°coolerintree-shadedneighborhoodsthanintreelessareas.Alatticeortrelliswithclimbingvines,oraplanterbox
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withtrailingvines,canshadethehome’sperimeterwhileadmittingcoolingbreezestotheshadedarea.
NaturalPartners:BuildingsandTrees
Deciduoustreesplantedonthesouthandwestsidesofyourhomewillhelpkeepitcoolinthesummerandallowsuntoshineinthewindowsinthewinter.Carefullandscapingcanpreserverooftopsolarexposureforsolarpanelsandprovideshadingtohelpcontrolsolarheatgainthroughwindows.Largedeciduousshadetreesonthesouthwestcornerofthehomeprovidewelcomerelieffromsummerafternoonsunwhileallowingdesirablewintersuntowarmthehouse.
Quiz#2Typically,_____%ofyourutilitybillgoesforheatingandcooling.
• 43• 23• 63
T/F:Heatingandcoolingyourhomeusesmoreenergyanddrainsmoreenergydollarsthananyothersysteminyourhome.
• True• False
Bycombiningproperequipmentmaintenanceandupgradeswithappropriateinsulation,airsealing,andthermostatsettings,youcancutyourenergyuseforheatingandcoolingandreduceenvironmentalemissionsbyupto_____%.
• 50• 100• 75• 5
Mostductsystemsare_____insulatedproperly.
• poorly• well
Ductsthatleakheatedairintounheatedspacescanadd_____ofdollarsayeartoyourheatingandcoolingbills.
• hundreds
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• tens• thousands
T/F:Ifyouusetapetosealyourducts,avoidcloth-backed,rubberadhesiveducttape,whichtendstofailquickly.
• True• False
Youcansaveabout_____%ayearonyourheatingandcoolingbillsbysimplyusinganautomaticsetbackorprogrammablethermostat.
• 10• 30• 57
Carefullypositionedtreescansaveupto_____%oftheenergyatypicalhouseholduses.
• 25• 5• 3• 14
KeepYourEnergyBillsOutofHotWater
Enlargeillustration.
Waterheatingisthethirdlargestenergyexpenseinyourhome.Ittypicallyaccountsforabout15%ofyourutilitybill.Therearefourwaystocutyourwaterheatingbills:uselesshotwater,turndownthethermostatonyourwaterheater,insulateyourwaterheater,andbuyanew,moreenergy-efficientmodel.LookfortheENERGYSTARlabel.
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WaterHeatingTips
• Installaerating,low-flowfaucetsandshowerheads.• Repairleakyfaucetspromptly;aleakyfaucetwastesgallonsofwaterinashort
periodoftime.• Lowerthethermostatonyourwaterheater.Waterheaterssometimescomefrom
thefactorypre-setatahightemperature,butsettingitat120°Fprovidescomfortablyhotwaterformostuses.
• Insulateyourelectrichot-waterstoragetank,butbecarefulnottocoverthethermostat.Followthemanufacturer’srecommendations.
• Insulateyournaturalgasoroilhot-waterstoragetank,butbecarefulnottocoverthewaterheater’stop,bottom,thermostat,orburnercompartment.Followthemanufacturer’srecommendations;whenindoubt,getprofessionalhelp.
• Insulatethefirst6feetofthehotandcoldwaterpipesconnectedtothewaterheater.
• Ifyou’reinthemarketforanewdishwasherorclotheswasher,considerbuyinganefficient,water-savingENERGYSTARmodeltoreducehotwateruse.
• Installheattrapsonthehotandcoldpipesatthewaterheatertopreventheatloss.Somenewwaterheatershavebuilt-inheattraps.
• Drainaquartofwaterfromyourwatertankeverythreemonthstoremovesedimentthatimpedesheattransferandlowerstheefficiencyofyourheater.Thetypeofwatertankyouhavedeterminesthestepstotake,sofollowthemanufacturer’srecommendations.
• Althoughmostwaterheaterslast10to15years,it’sbesttostartshoppingnowforanewoneifyoursismorethansevenyearsold.Doingsomeresearchbeforeyourheaterfailswillenableyoutoselectthebestonethatmeetsyourneeds.
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Long-TermSavingsTips
• Buyanewenergy-efficientwaterheater.Whileitmaycostmoreinitiallythanastandardwaterheater,theenergysavingswillcontinueduringthelifetimeoftheappliance.LookfortheENERGYSTARandEnergyGuidelabels.
• LookfortheENERGYSTARlabelonefficientwaterheatersinthefollowingcategories:high-efficiencygasnon-condensing,gascondensing,electricheatpump,gastankless,andsolar.
• Considerinstallingadrainwaterwasteheat-recoverysystem.ArecentDOEstudyshowedenergysavingsofupto30%forwaterheatingusingsuchasystem.
• Consideranaturalgason-demandortanklesswaterheater.Researchhasfoundthatsavingscanashighas30%comparedtoastandardnaturalgasstoragetankwaterheater.
• Aheatpumpwaterheatercanbeverycost-effectiveinsomeareasandclimates.
SolarWaterHeaters
Ifyouheatwaterwithelectricity,havehighelectricrates,andhaveanunshaded,south-facinglocation(suchasaroof)onyourproperty,considerinstallinganENERGYSTAR-qualifiedsolarwaterheater.Solarunitsareenvironmentallyfriendlyandcanbeinstalledonyourrooftoblendinwiththearchitectureofyourhouse.
Morethan1.5millionhomesandbusinessesintheUnitedStateshaveinvestedinsolarwaterheatingsystems,andsurveysindicatethatmorethan94%ofthesecustomersconsiderthesystemsagoodinvestment.Solarwaterheatingsystemsarealsogoodfortheenvironment.Solarwaterheatersavoidthegreenhousegasemissionsassociatedwithelectricityproduction.Duringa20-yearperiod,onesolarwaterheatercanavoidmorethan50tonsofcarbondioxideemissions.Whenshoppingforasolarwaterheater,lookfortheENERGYSTARlabelandforsystemscertifiedbytheSolarRatingandCertificationCorporation,ortheFloridaSolarEnergyCenter.
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Windows
Windowscanbeoneofyourhome’smostattractivefeatures.Windowsprovideviews,daylighting,ventilation,andsolarheatinginthewinter.Unfortunately,theycanalsoaccountforupto25%ofyourheatingbill.Duringthesummer,yourairconditionermustworkhardertocoolhotairfromsunnywindows.Energy-efficientwindowsmayhavetwoormorepanesofglass,warm-edgespacersbetweenthewindowpanes,improvedframingmaterials,andlow-ecoatings,whicharemicroscopicallythincoatingsthathelpkeepheatinsideduringthewinterandoutsideduringthesummer.
Ifyourhomehassingle-panewindows,asmanyU.S.homesdo,considerreplacingthemwithnewdouble-panewindowswithhigh-performancelow-e(low-emissivity)orspectrallyselectiveglass.Incolderclimates,choosewindowsthataregas-filledwithlow-ecoatingsontheglasstoreduceheatloss.Inwarmerclimates,choosewindowswithspectrallyselectivecoatingstoreduceheatgain.
Ifyou’rebuildinganewhome,thehighercostofenergy-efficientwindowscanactuallybeoffsetbyallowingyoutobuysmaller,lessexpensiveheatingandcoolingequipment.InstallENERGYSTARwindowsandusecurtainsandshadetogiveyourairconditionerandenergybillabreak.IfyouliveintheSunBelt,lookintolow-ewindows,whichcancutthecoolingloadbyupto15%.
Ifyoudecidenottoreplaceyourwindows,thesimpler,lesscostlymeasureslistedherecanimprovetheirperformance.
Cold-ClimateWindowTips
Cold-climatewindowskeepheatin.
• Double-panewindowswithlow-ecoatingontheglassreflectheatbackintotheroomduringthewintermonths.
• Duringthecoldwintermonths,youcanuseaheavy-duty,clearplasticsheetonaframe,ortapeclearplasticfilmtotheinsideofyourwindowframes.Remember,theplasticmustbesealedtightlytotheframetohelpreduceairinfiltration.
• Installtight-fitting,insulatingwindowshadesonwindowsthatfeeldraftyafterweatherizing.
• Closeyourcurtainsandshadesatnight.• Openyourcurtainsduringtheday.
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• Ifyouhavewindowslocatedonthesouthsideofyourhouse,keepthemcleansothattheycanletinthemaximumamountofwintersun.
• Installexteriororinteriorstormwindows.Stormwindowscanreduceheatlossthroughthewindowsby25%to50%.Stormwindowsshouldhaveweatherstrippingatallmovablejoints,bemadeofstrong,durablematerials,andhaveinterlockingoroverlappingjoints.Low-estormwindowssaveevenmoreenergy.
• Repairandweatherizeyourcurrentstormwindows,ifnecessary.
Warm-ClimateWindowTips
Warm-climatewindowskeepheatout.Inthesummertime,thesunshiningthroughyourwindowsheatsuptheroom.Windowswithlow-ecoatingsontheglassreflectsomeofthesunlight,keepingyourroomscooler.
Herearesomethingsyoucandotokeepcomfortable.
• Installwhitewindowshades,drapesorblindstoreflectheatawayfromthewindows.
• Closecurtainsonsouth-andwest-facingwindowsduringtheday.• Installawningsonsouth-andwest-facingwindows.• Applysun-controlorotherreflectivefilmsonsouth-facingwindowstoreducesolar
gain.
Long-TermSavingsTip
• Installinghigh-performancewindowswillimproveyourhome’senergyperformance.Whileitmaytakeyearsfornewwindowstopayoffindollar-for-dollarenergysavings,thebenefitsofaddedcomfortandimprovedaestheticsandfunctionalitymaketheinvestmentworthitmuchsooner.Manywindowtechnologiesareavailablethatshouldbeconsidered.
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ShoppingTipsforWindows
• LookfortheENERGYSTARlabel.• Checkwithyourlocalutilitycompanytoseeifanyrebatesorotherfinancial
incentivesareavailableforwindowreplacement.• High-performancewindowshaveatleasttwopanesofglassandalow-ecoating,so
makesurethewindowsyouchoosehavethesefeatures,andnotjustaclaimorlabelthatsays“high-performance.”
• TheU-factorforwindowsissimilartotheR-ratingforinsulation.TheU-factormeasurestherateofheattransferandtellsyouhowwellthewindowinsulates.ThelowertheU-factor,thebettertheinsulation.Incolderclimates,focusonfindingwindowswithalowU-factor.
• Lowsolarheat-gaincoefficients(SHGCs)reduceheatgain.Inwarmclimates,lookforalowSHGC.
• Intemperateclimateswithbothheatingandcoolingseasons,selectwindowswithbothlowU-factorsandlowSHGCstomaximizeenergysavings.
• Lookforwhole-unitU-factorsandSHGCs,ratherthancenter-of-glass(orCOG)U-factorsandSHGCs.Whole-unitnumbersmoreaccuratelyreflecttheenergyperformanceoftheentireproduct.
• Haveyourwindowsinstalledbytrainedprofessionals.Besurethey’reinstalledaccordingtothemanufacturer’sinstructions;otherwise,yourwarrantymaybevoided.
LightingLEDsandCFLs—TwoBrightIdeas!
Makingimprovementstoyourlightingisoneofthefastestwaystocutyourenergybills.Anaveragehouseholddedicates11%ofitsenergybudgettolighting.Usingnewlightingtechnologiescanreducelightingenergyuseinyourhomeby50%to75%.ENERGYSTAR-qualifiedlightingprovidesbright,warmlightandusesabout75%lessenergythanstandardlighting,produces75%lessheat,andlastsupto10timeslonger.Advancesinlightingcontrolsofferfurtherenergysavingsbyreducingtheamountoftimethatlightsareturnedonbutnotbeingused.
IndoorLighting
Uselinearfluorescenttubesandenergy-efficientcompactfluorescentlightbulbs(CFLs)infixturesthroughoutyourhometoprovidehigh-qualityandhigh-efficiencylighting.Fluorescentlampsaremuchmoreefficientthanincandescent(standard)bulbsandlastupto12timeslonger.
Today’sCFLsofferbrightnessandcolorrenditionthatiscomparabletoincandescentbulbs.AlthoughlinearfluorescentandCFLscostabitmorethanincandescentbulbsinitially,they
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arecheaperovertheirlifetimebecausetheyusesolittleelectricity.CFLlightingfixturesarenowavailablethatarecompatiblewithdimmersandoperatelikeincandescentfixtures.
IndoorLightingTips
CFLscontainaverysmallamountofmercurysealedwithintheirglasstubing.ManyretailersofferfreerecyclingservicesforthesafedisposalofCFLs.
ENERGYSTAR-qualifiedCFLsareavailableinsizesandshapestofitinalmostanyfixture.Visitwww.energystar.govtofindtherightlightbulbsforyourfixtures.
BesuretobuyENERGYSTAR-qualifiedCFLsbecause:
• theywillsaveyouabout$30ormoreinelectricitycostsovereachbulb’slifetime;• sincetheyproduceabout75%lessheat,theyaresafertooperateandcancuthome
coolingcosts;and• theyprovidethegreatestsavingsinfixturesthatareonforalongtimeeachday.The
bestfixturesthatuseENERGYSTAR-qualifiedCFLsareusuallyfoundinthefamilyroomandlivingroom,kitchen,diningroom,bedrooms,andoutdoors.
ConsiderpurchasingENERGYSTAR-qualifiedfixtures.Theyareavailableinmanystyles,includingtable,deskandfloorlamps.Therearealsohard-wiredoptionsforfrontporches,diningrooms,bathroomvanityfixtures,andmore.Also:
• ENERGYSTAR-qualifiedfixturesdistributelightmoreefficientlyandevenlythanstandardfixtures,andtheyprovideconvenientfeatures,suchasdimmingonsomeindoormodels.
• Timerandphoto-cellcontrolssaveelectricitybyturninglightsoffwhennotinuse.• Dimmerssaveelectricitywhenusedtolowerlightlevels.Besuretoselectproducts
thatarecompatiblewithCFLbulbsbecausenotallproductsworkwiththem.
MoreTips
• Whenremodeling,lookforrecesseddownlightsandcanlightingthatareIC-ratedorsafeforcontactwithinsulation.
• Takeadvantageofdaylightbyusinglight-colored,loose-weavecurtainsonyourwindowstoallowdaylighttopenetrateintotheroomwhilepreservingprivacy.Also,decoratewithlightercolorsthatreflectdaylight.
• Ifyouhavetorchierefixtureswithhalogenlamps,considerreplacingthemwithcompactfluorescenttorchieres.Compactfluorescenttorchieresuse60%to80%lessenergyanddonotgetashotashalogentorchieres.
OutdoorLighting
Manyhomeownersuseoutdoorlightingfordecorationandsecurity.Whenshoppingforoutdoorlights,you’llfindavarietyofproducts,fromlow-voltagepathwaylightingto
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motion-detectorfloodlights.Light-emittingdiodes,orLEDs,areexcellentchoicesforoutdoorenvironmentsbecauseoftheirdurabilityandperformanceincoldweather.LookforENERGYSTARLEDproducts,suchaspathwaylights,steplights,andporchlightsforoutdooruse.
OutdoorLightingTips
Light-emittingdiodes,orLEDs,offerbetterlightqualitythanincandescentbulbs,last25timeslonger,anduseevenlessenergythanCFLs.LookforENERGYSTAR-qualifiedLEDproductsathomeimprovementcentersandlightingshowrooms.
Someoftheirbenefitsincludethefollowing:
• Becauseoutdoorlightsareusuallyleftonforlongperiods,usingCFLsinthesefixtureswillsavealotofenergy.MostbarespiralCFLscanbeusedinenclosedfixturesthatprotectthemfromtheweather.
• CFLsarealsoavailableasfloodlights.Thesemodelshavebeentestedtowithstandtherainandsnowsotheycanbeusedinexposedfixtures.Mostofthe,however,cannotbeusedwithmotiondetectors.
• LookforENERGYSTAR-qualifiedfixturesthataredesignedforoutdooruseandcomewithfeaturessuchasautomaticdaylightshut-offandmotionsensors.
Appliances:What'stheRealCost?
Everyappliancehastwocosts:thepurchasepriceandtheoperatingcost.Considerbothwhenbuyinganewappliance.
Appliancesaccountforabout17%ofyourhousehold’senergyconsumption,withrefrigerators,clotheswashersandclothesdryersatthetopofthelist.
Whenyou’reshoppingforappliances,thinkofthosetwocostsorpricetags.Thefirstonecoversthepurchaseprice.Thesecondisthecostofoperatingtheapplianceduringitslifetime.You’llbepayingonthatsecondpricetageverymonthwithyourutilitybillforthenext10to20years,dependingontheappliance.
• refrigeratorslastanaverageof14years;• clotheswashersabout11years;
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• dishwashersabout10years;and• roomairconditionerslastalmost10years.
ViewInterNACHI'sHomeLifeExpectancyChart.
Whenyoushopforanewappliance,lookfortheENERGYSTARlabel.ENERGYSTARproductsusuallyexceedminimumfederalstandardsbyasubstantialamount.
Tohelpyoufigureoutwhetheranapplianceisenergy-efficient,thefederalgovernmentrequiresmostappliancestodisplaythebrightyellowandblackEnergyGuidelabel.Althoughtheselabelswillnottellyouwhichapplianceisthemostefficient,theywilltellyoutheannualenergyconsumptionandoperatingcostforeachappliancesoyoucancomparethemyourself.
What’saKilowatt?
Whenyouuseelectricitytocookapotofriceforonehour,youuse1,000watt-hoursofelectricity!Onethousandwatt-hoursequal1kilowatt-hour,writtenas1kWh.Yourutilitybillusuallyshowswhatyouarechargedforthekilowatt-hoursyouuse.Theaverageresidentialrateis9.4centsperkWh.AtypicalU.S.householdconsumesabout11,000kWhperyear,costinganaverageof$1,034annually.
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HowMuchElectricityDoAppliancesUse?
Clicktoenlarge.
Thechartshowshowmuchenergyatypicalapplianceusesperyearanditscorrespondingcostbasedonnationalaverages.Forexample,arefrigeratorusesalmostfivetimestheelectricitythattheaveragetelevisionuses.
HowtoReadtheEnergyGuideLabel
TheEnergyGuidelabelgivesyoutwoimportantpiecesofinformationyoucanusetocomparedifferentbrandsandmodelswhenshoppingforanewdishwasher:
• itsestimatedyearlyoperatingcost,basedonthenationalaveragecostofelectricity;and
• itsestimatedenergyconsumptiononascaleshowingarangeforsimilarmodels.
Mostoftheenergyusedbyadishwasherisforwaterheating.TheEnergyGuidelabelestimateshowmuchpowerisneededperyeartoruntheapplianceandtoheatthewater,basedontheyearlycostofnaturalgasandelectricwaterheating.
DishwasherTips
• Checkthemanualthatcamewithyourdishwasherforthemanufacturer’srecommendationsonwatertemperature.Manyhaveinternalheatingelementsthatallowyoutosetthewaterheaterinyourhometoalowertemperature.Theidealtempis120°F.
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• Scrapeofflargepiecesoffoodandbones,ratherthanpre-rinsingyourdishesbeforeplacingtheminthedishwasher.Soakingorprewashingisgenerallyonlyrecommendedincasesofburned-onordried-onfood.
• Besureyourdishwasherisfull,butnotoverloaded,whenyourunit.• Avoidusingthe“rinsehold”featureonyourmachineforjustafewsoileddishes.It
uses3to7gallonsofhotwatereachtimeyouuseit.• Letyourdishesairdry.Ifyoudon’thaveanautomaticair-dryswitch,turnoffthe
controlknobafterthefinalrinseandpropthedooropenslightlytoallowthedishestodryfaster.
Long-TermSavingsTip
• Whenshoppingforanewdishwasher,lookfortheENERGYSTARlabeltofindadishwasherthatuseslesswaterand41%lessenergythanthatrequiredbyfederalstandards.
RefrigeratorsandFreezersENERGYSTARRefrigeratorsAreCool!
TheEnergyGuidelabelonnewrefrigeratorstellsyouhowmuchelectricityinkilowatt-hours(kWh)aparticularmodelusesinoneyear.Thesmallerthenumber,thelessenergytherefrigeratorusesandthelessitwillcostyoutooperate.InadditiontotheEnergyGuidelabel,don’tforgettolookfortheENERGYSTARlabel.AnewrefrigeratorwithanENERGYSTARlabelusesatleast20%lessenergythanrequiredbycurrentfederalstandardsand40%lessenergythantheconventionalmodelssoldin2001.
Refrigerator&FreezerEnergyTips
• Lookforarefrigeratorwithautomaticmoisturecontrol.Modelswiththisfeaturehavebeenengineeredtopreventmoistureaccumulationonthecabinetexteriorwithouttheadditionofaheater.Thisisnotthesamethingasan“anti-sweat”heater.Modelswithananti-sweatheaterwillconsume5%to10%moreenergythanmodelswithoutthisfeature.
• Don’tkeepyourrefrigeratororfreezertoocold.Recommendedtemperaturesare37°Fto40°Fforthefreshfoodcompartmentoftherefrigeratorand5°Fforthefreezersection.Ifyouhaveaseparatefreezerforlong-termstorage,itshouldbekeptat0°F.
• Tocheckrefrigeratortemperature,placeanappliancethermometerinaglassofwaterinthecenteroftherefrigerator.Readitafter24hours.Tocheckthefreezertemperature,placeathermometerbetweensomefrozenpackages.Readitafter24hours.
• Regularlydefrostmanual-defrostrefrigeratorsandfreezers.Frostbuildupdecreasestheenergyefficiencyoftheunit.Don’tallowfrosttobuildupmorethanaquarterofaninchthick.
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• Makesureyourrefrigeratordoorsealsareairtight.Testthembyclosingthedooroverapieceofpaperoradollarbillsoitishalfinandhalfoutoftherefrigerator.Ifyoucanpullthepaperorbillouteasily,thelatchmayneedadjustment,thesealmayneedreplacing,oryoumightconsiderbuyinganewunit.
• Coverliquidsandwrapfoodsstoredintherefrigerator.Uncoveredfoodsreleasemoistureandmakethecompressorworkharder.
Long-TermSavingsTip
• LookfortheENERGYSTARlabelwhenbuyinganewrefrigerator.Selectanewrefrigeratorthatistherightsizeforyourhousehold.Top-freezermodelsaremoreenergyefficientthanside-by-sidemodels.Ancillaryfeatures,suchasicemakersandwaterdispensers,maybeconvenient,butthey’llincreaseyourenergyuse.
Energy-SavingKitchenTips
• Besuretoplacethefaucetleveronthekitchensinkinthecoldpositionwhenusingsmallamountsofwater.Placingtheleverinthehotpositionusesenergytoheatthewatereventhoughitmayneverreachthefaucet.
• Ifyouneedtopurchaseanaturalgasovenorrange,lookforonewithanautomaticelectronicignitionsystem.Anelectronicignitionsavesnaturalgasbecausethepilotlightisnotburningcontinuously.
• Innaturalgasappliances,lookforablueflame.Ayellowflameindicatesthatthegasisburninginefficientlyandanadjustmentmaybeneeded.Consultthemanufactureroryourlocalutilityserviceperson.
• Keeprange-topburnersandreflectorsclean.Theyreflecttheheatmoreefficiently,andyou’llsaveenergy.
• Useakettleoracoveredpantoboilwater.It’sfasterandituseslessenergy.• Matchthesizeofthepantotheheatingelement.• Usesmallelectricpansortoasterovensforsmallmealsratherthanyourlargestove
oroven.Atoasterovenusesathirdtohalfasmuchenergyasafull-sizedoven.• Useapressurecookerandmicrowaveovenwheneverit’sconvenienttodoso.They
saveenergybysignificantlyreducingcookingtime.
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LaundryAppliancesSaveEnergyandMorewithENERGYSTAR
ENERGYSTARclotheswashersuse50%lessenergythanstandardwashingmachines.
About90%oftheenergyusedforwashingclothesinaconventionaltop-loadwasherisforheatingthewater.Therearetwowaystoreducetheamountofenergyusedforwashingclothes:uselesswaterandusecoolerwater.Unlessyou’redealingwithoilystains,thewarmorcoldwatersettingonyourmachinewillgenerallydoagoodjobofgettingyourclothesclean.Switchingthetemperaturesettingfromhottowarmcancutaload’senergyuseinhalf.
LaundryTips
• Wheneverpossible,washyourclothesincoldwaterusingcold-waterdetergent.• Washanddryfullloads.Ifyou’rewashingasmallload,usetheappropriatewater-
levelsetting.• Drytowelsandheaviercottonsinaseparateloadfromlighter-weightclothes.• Don’tover-dryyourclothes.Ifyourmachinehasamoisturesensor,useit.• Cleanthelintfilterinthedryeraftereveryloadtoimproveaircirculation.• Usethecool-downcycletoallowtheclothestofinishdryingwiththeresidualheat
inthedryer.• Periodicallyinspectyourdryerventtoensurethatit’snotblocked.Thiswillsave
energyandmaypreventafire.Manufacturersrecommendusingrigidventingmaterial,notplasticventsthatmaycollapseandcauseblockages.Also,donotinstallascreenattheexteriorventifyou’reconcernedaboutnestingbirdsandotherpests.Ascreenwillholddebrisinandmaycauseafire.Theexteriorventshouldhaveadamperthateasilyopensandclosesbytheforceoftheexpelledair,somakesureit’snotstuckopen,whichwillpermittheentryofunwantedpestsandbirds.
• Considerair-dryingclothingandotherlaundereditemsonaclotheslineordryingrack.Air-dryingisrecommendedbyclothingmanufacturersformanyfabrics.
Long-TermSavingsTips
• LookfortheENERGYSTARandEnergyGuidelabels.ENERGYSTARclotheswashersuse50%lessenergythanstandardwashers.Mostfull-sizedENERGYSTARwashersuse15gallonsofwaterperload,comparedtothe32.5gallonsusedbyanewstandardmachine.ENERGYSTARmodelsalsospintheclothesbetter,resultinginlessdryingtime.
• Whenshoppingforanewclothesdryer,lookforonewithamoisturesensorthatautomaticallyshutsoffthemachinewhenyourclothesaredry.Notonlywillthissaveenergy,itwillsavethewearandtearonyourclothescausedbyover-drying.
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• ENERGYSTARdoesnotlabelclothesdryersbecausemostofthemusesimilaramountsofenergy,whichmeansthereislittledifferenceinenergyuseamongdifferentmodels.
Quiz#3T/F:Installingaerating,low-flowfaucetsandshowerheadscanhelplowerwaterheatingcosts.
• True• False
Settingthehotwatertanktemperatureto_____degreessavesenergy.
• 120• 140• 180• 212
Thefirst_____feetofthehotandcoldwaterpipesconnectedtothewaterheatershouldbeinsulated.
• 6• 25• 47
Makingimprovementstoyourlightingisoneofthe_____waystocutyourenergybills.
• fastest• slowest• mostexpensive• mostcomplex
T/F:Whenyoushopforanewappliance,lookfortheENERGYSTARlabel.
• True• False
Mostoftheenergyusedbyadishwasherisfor_____.
• waterheating• spinning• sprayingwater• gettingdishesdry
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T/F:Placingthekitchensink?sfaucetleverinthehotpositionusesenergytoheatthewatereventhoughitmayneverreachthefaucet.
• True• False
About_____%oftheenergyusedforwashingclothesinaconventionaltop-loadwasherisforheatingthewater.
• 90• 10• 35• 27
MajorAppliancesShoppingGuideShoppingforEnergy-EfficientAppliances
Whenitcomestoshoppingforandcomparingenergy-efficientappliancesandhomeelectronics,lookfortheENERGYSTAR®andEnergyGuidelabels.
ENERGYSTARLabel
ENERGYSTARlabelsappearonappliancesandhomeelectronicsthatmeetstrictcriteriaforenergyefficiencyasestablishedbytheU.S.DepartmentofEnergyandU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency.TheENERGYSTARlabelingprogramincludesmosthomeelectronicsandappliances,exceptforstoverangesandovens.
EnergyGuideLabel
TheFederalTradeCommissionrequiresEnergyGuidelabelsonmosthomeappliances(exceptstoverangesandovens),butnotonhomeelectronics,suchascomputers,televisionsandhomeaudioequipment.EnergyGuidelabelsprovideanestimateoftheproduct’senergyconsumptionorenergyefficiency.Theyalsoshowthehighestandlowestenergyconsumptionorefficiencyestimatesofsimilarappliancemodels.
Thefollowingeasy-to-readguidemayhelpyouunderstandhowappliancesareratedforefficiency,whattheratingsmean,andwhattolookforwhenshoppingfornewappliances.
Appliance:NaturalGasandOilHeatingSystems
Rating:LookfortheFTC(FederalTradeCommission)EnergyGuidelabelwithanAFUE(AnnualFuelUtilizationEfficiency)ratingfornaturalgas-andoil-firedfurnacesandboilers.The
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AFUEmeasurestheseasonalorannualefficiency.ENERGYSTARfurnaceshavea90AFUEorhigher.
SpecialConsiderations:Biggerisnotalwaysbetter!Toolargeasystemcostsmoreandoperatesinefficiently.Haveaprofessionalassessyourneedsandrecommendthetypeandsizeofsystemyoushouldpurchase.
Appliance:Air-SourceHeatPumps
Rating:LookfortheEnergyGuidelabelthatliststheSEER(SeasonalEnergyEfficiencyRatio)andHSPF(HeatingSeasonalPerformanceFactor)forheatpumps.TheSEERmeasurestheenergyefficiencyduringthecoolingseasonandHSPFmeasurestheefficiencyduringtheheatingseason.TheENERGYSTARminimumefficiencylevelis13SEERorhigher.
SpecialConsiderations:Ifyouliveinacoolclimate,lookforaheatpumpwithahighHSPF.ENERGYSTARheatpumpsareabout20%moreefficientthanstandardmodels.Contactaprofessionalforadviceonpurchasingaheatpump.
Appliance:CentralAirConditioners
Rating:LookfortheEnergyGuidelabelwithaSEERforcentralairconditioners.TheENERGYSTARminimumefficiencylevelis13SEER.
SpecialConsiderations:AirconditionersthatbeartheENERGYSTARlabelmaybe25%moreefficientthanstandardmodels.Contactaprofessionalforadviceonsizingacentralairsystemforyourhome.
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Appliance:RoomAirConditioners
Rating:LookfortheEnergyGuidelabelwithanEER(EnergyEfficiencyRatio)forroomairconditioners.ThehighertheEER,themoreefficienttheunitis.ENERGYSTARunitsareamongthemostenergy-efficientproducts.
Whatsizetobuy?AreainsquarefeetBTU/hour100to150=5,000150to250=6,000250to350=7,000350to450=9,000400to450=10,000450to550=12,000550to700=14,000700to1,000=18,000
SpecialConsiderations:Twomajorfactorsshouldguideyourpurchase:correctsizeandenergyefficiency.Iftheroomisverysunny,increasecapacityby10%.Iftheunitisforakitchen,increasethecapacityby4,000BTUsperhour.
Appliance:ProgrammableThermostats
Rating:ForminimumENERGYSTARefficiency,thermostatsshouldhaveatleasttwoprograms,fourtemperaturesettingseach,aholdfeaturethatallowsuserstotemporarilyoverridesettings,andtheabilitytomaintainroomtemperaturewithin2°ofdesiredtemperature.
SpecialConsiderations:LookforatheENERGYSTARlabelandathermostatthatallowsyoutoeasilyusetwoseparateprograms:onethatcanbeprogrammedtoreachthedesiredtemperatureataspecifictime,andaholdfeaturethattemporarilyoverridesthesettingwithoutdeletingthepre-setprograms.
Appliance:WaterHeaters
Rating:LookfortheEnergyGuidelabelthattellshowmuchenergythewaterheaterusesinoneyear.Also,lookfortheFHR(first-hourrating)ofthewaterheater,whichmeasuresthemaximumhotwatertheheaterwilldeliverinthefirsthourofuse.
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SpecialConsiderations:Ifyoutypicallyneedalotofhotwateratonce,theFHRwillbeimportanttoyou.Sizingisimportant—callyourlocalutilityforadvice.
Appliance:Windows
Rating:LookfortheNFRC(NationalFenestrationRatingCouncil)labelthatprovidesU-valuesandSHGC(solarheat-gaincoefficient)values.ThelowertheU-value,thebettertheinsulation.
SpecialConsiderations:LookattheClimateRegionMapontheENERGYSTARlabeltobesurethatthewindow,doororskylightyou’veselectedisappropriateforwhereyoulive.
Appliance:RefrigeratorsandFreezers
Rating:LookfortheEnergyGuidelabelthattellshowmuchelectricity,inkWh,therefrigeratorwilluseinoneyear.Thesmallerthenumber,thelessenergyituses.ENERGYSTARrefrigeratorsuseatleast15%lessenergythanrequiredbyfederalstandards.
SpecialConsiderations:Lookforenergy-efficientrefrigeratorsandfreezers.Refrigeratorswithfreezersontoparemoreefficientthanthosewithfreezersontheside.Alsolookforheavydoorhingesthatcreateagooddoorseal.
Appliance:Dishwashers
Rating:LookfortheEnergyGuidelabelthattellshowmuchelectricity,inkWh,thedishwasherwilluseinoneyear.Thesmallerthenumber,thelessenergyituses.ENERGYSTARdishwashersuseatleast25%lessenergythanrequiredbyfederalstandards.
SpecialConsiderations:Lookforfeaturesthatwillreducewateruse,suchasboosterheatersand“smart”controls.Askhowmanygallonsofwaterthedishwasherusesduringdifferentcycles.Dishwashersthatusetheleastamountofwaterwillcosttheleasttooperate.
Appliance:ClothesWashers
Rating:LookfortheEnergyGuidelabelthattellshowmuchelectricity,inkWh,theclotheswasher
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willuseinoneyear.Thesmallerthenumber,thelessenergyisuses.ENERGYSTARclotheswashersuselessthan50%oftheenergyusedbystandardwashers.
SpecialConsiderations:Lookforthefollowingdesignfeaturesthathelpclotheswasherscutwaterusage:waterlevelcontrols,“suds-saver”features,spin-cycleadjustments,andlargecapacity.Fordoubletheefficiency,buyanENERGYSTARunit.
HomeOfficeEquipmentandHomeElectronics
Nearly4.2millionpeopleintheU.S.workedfromhomein2000,upfrom3.4millionin1990.Workingfromhomesavesenergyandtimebycuttingoutthecommute,butitmayincreaseyourhomeenergybillsalotunlessyouuseenergy-savingofficeequipment.
ENERGYSTARlabeledofficeequipmentiswidelyavailable:itprovidesuserswithdramaticsavings,asmuchas90%savingsforsomeproducts.Overall,ENERGYSTARlabeledofficeproductsuseabouthalftheelectricityofstandardequipment.Alongwithsavingenergydirectly,thisequipmentcanreduceair-conditioningloads,noisefromfansandtransformers,andelectromagneticfieldemissionsfrommonitors.
HomeOfficeTips
ShopforENERGYSTARproductsforyourhomeoffice,including:
• computers;• monitors;• copiers;• faxmachines;• printers;• scanners;and• multifunctiondevices(fax,scanner,copier).
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KeepYourHomeOfficeEfficientwithENERGYSTAR
Homeofficesareincreasinglypopular.BesuretouseENERGYSTARofficeequipmenttosaveelectricity.Herearesometips.
• Selectingenergy-efficientofficeequipment—personalcomputers(PCs),monitors,copiers,printersandfaxmachines—andturningthemoffwhenthey’renotinusecanresultinenormousenergysavings.
• AnENERGYSTAR-labeledcomputeruses70%lesselectricitythancomputerswithoutthisdesignation.Ifleftinactive,ENERGYSTAR-labeleddesktopcomputersenterasleepmodeanduse4wattsorless.Spendingalargeportionoftimeinlow-powermodenotonlysavesenergy,butithelpsequipmentruncooler,whichmeansitcanlastlonger.
• Tomaximizeenergysavingswhenusingalaptop,plugtheACadapterintoapowerstripthatcanbeturnedoff(orwillturnoffautomatically).IftheACadaptorispluggedintoawallreceptacleoroutlet,thetransformerinitwilldrawpowercontinuously,evenifthelaptopisnotpluggedintotheadapter.
• Commonmisconceptionssometimesaccountforthefailuretoturnoffequipment.Manypeoplebelievethatequipmentlastslongerifit’sneverturnedoff.Thisincorrectperceptioncarriesoverfromthedaysofoldermainframecomputers.
• ENERGYSTAR-labeledcomputersandmonitorssaveenergyonlywhenthepower-managementfeaturesareactivated,somakesurethesefeaturesareactivatedonyourcomputer.
• Thereisacommonmisconceptionthatscreensaversreducetheenergyusedbymonitors;theydonot.Settingyourcomputertoautomaticallygointosleepmodeafterapre-settimeofnon-use(ormanuallyturningmonitorsoff)isalwaysthebetterenergy-savingstrategy.
Long-TermSavingsTip
• Considerbuyingalaptopforyournextcomputerupgrade;theyusemuchlessenergythandesktopcomputers.
TipsforHomeElectronics
ShopforENERGYSTARhomeelectronics,including:
• cordlessphones;• televisions;• VCR,DVD,DVRandothertypesofmediaplayers,includingcombinationunits;• homeaudioequipment;and• set-topboxes.
OtherTipsforUsingHomeElectronics
• Powerstripshelpsavewastedenergy.
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• Lookforenergy-savingENERGYSTAR-labeledhomeelectronics.• Manyappliancescontinuetodrawasmallamountofpowerwhentheyareswitched
off.These“phantom”loadsoccurinmostappliancesthatuseelectricity,suchasDVDplayers,televisions,stereos,computers,andsmallkitchenappliances.Thesephantomloadscanbeavoidedbyunpluggingtheapplianceorusingapowerstripandusingtheswitchonthepowerstriptocutpowertotheappliance.
• Unplugbatterychargerswhenthebatteriesarefullychargedorwhenthechargersarenotinuse.
• StudieshaveshownthatusingrechargeablebatteriesforproductssuchascordlessphonesandPDAsismorecost-effectivethanusingstandardbatteries.Ifyoumustusenon-rechargeablebatteries,checkwithyourtrashremovalcompanyaboutoptionsfortheirsafedisposal.
Solar-PoweredOutdoorLighting
Installingsolarlightingaroundyourhomeandgardenisquickandeasytoinstall,withanaddedbonus—nowiresorelectricitycosts!
Youhavemanyoptionsforusingrenewableenergyathome—fromsolar-poweredoutdoorlightstobuyingrenewableenergyfromyourlocalutilityprovider,orevenproducingsolarelectricityathomewithphotovoltaic(PV)cells.
RenewableEnergyTips
• Anewhomeprovidesthebestopportunityfordesigningandorientingthehometotakeadvantageofthesun’srays.Awell-orientedhomeadmitslow-anglewintersuntoreduceheatingbillsandrejectsoverheadsummersuntoreducecoolingbills.
• ManyU.S.consumersbuyelectricitymadefromrenewableenergysources,includingthesun,wind,water,plants,andtheearth’sinternalheat.Thispowerissometimescalled“greenpower.”Buyinggreenpowerfromyourlocalutilityisoneoftheeasiestwaystouserenewableenergywithouthavingtoinvestinequipmentortakeonextramaintenancetasks.
• Anotheruseofsolarpowerisforheatingwater.Ifyouhaveaswimmingpoolorhottub,youcanusesolarpowertocutpoolheatingcosts.Mostsolarpoolheatingsystemsarecost-competitivewithconventionalsystems.Andsolarpoolsystemshaveverylowoperatingcosts.It’sactuallythemostcost-effectiveuseofsolarenergy.
Long-TermSavingsTip
• Ifyou’vemadeyourhomeasenergy-efficientaspossibleandyoustillhaveveryhighelectricitybillsbutagoodsolarresource,youmightwanttoconsidergeneratingyourownelectricityusingPVcells.NewproductsareavailablethatintegratePVcellswiththeexistingroof,makingthemmuchlessvisiblethanoldersystems.
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Ifthefollowingconditionsapply,youmightwanttodomoreresearchtoseeifinvestinginPVtechnologyisrightforyou:
• Yoursitehasadequatesolarresources.• Agridconnectionisnotavailableinyourareaorcanbemadeonlythroughan
expensivepowerlineextension.• Youarewillingtopaymoreupfronttoreducetheenvironmentalimpactofyour
electricityuse.• Yourpowerproviderwillconnectyoursystemtotheelectricitygridandbuyany
excesspoweryouproduce.• Yourstate,cityorutilitycompanyoffersrebates,taxcreditsorotherincentives.
VisittheDSIREWebsiteatwww.dsireusa.orgtofindoutaboutanyfinancialincentivesofferedinyourarea.
Do-It-YourselfHomeEnergyAssessments
Youcanconductabasic,do-it-yourselfhomeenergyassessmenttogetageneralideaabouthowefficientyourhomeis.Withadiligentwalk-through,youcanspotmanyproblemsinanytypeofhouse.Whenassessingyourhome,keepachecklistofareasyouhaveinspectedandproblemsyou’vefound.Thislistwillhelpyouprioritizeyourenergyefficiencyupgrades.
LocatingAirLeaks
First,makealistofobviousairleaks(drafts).Thepotentialenergysavingsfromreducingdraftsinahomemayrangefrom5%to30%peryear,andthehomeisgenerallymuchmorecomfortableafterward.Checkforindoorairleaks,suchasgapsalongthebaseboardandtheedgeoftheflooring,andatjuncturesofthewallsandceiling.
Checktoseeifaircanflowthroughtheseplaces:
o electricaloutlets;o switchplates;o windowframes;o baseboards;o weatherstrippingarounddoors;o fireplacedampers;o attichatches;ando wall-orwindow-mountedairconditioners.
Also,lookforgapsaroundpipesandwires,electricaloutlets,foundationseals,andmailslots.Checktoseeifthecaulkingandweatherstrippingareingoodconditionandappliedproperly,withnogapsorcracks.
Inspectwindowsanddoorsforairleaks.Seeifyoucanrattlethem,sincemovementmeanspossibleairleaks.Ifyoucanseedaylightaroundadoororwindowframe,thenthedooror
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windowleaks.Youcanusuallysealtheseleaksbycaulkingorweatherstrippingthem.Checkthestormwindowstoseeiftheyfitandarenotbroken.Youmayalsowishtoconsiderreplacingyouroldwindowsanddoorswithnewer,high-performanceones.Ifnewfactory-madedoorsorwindowsaretoocostly,youcaninstalllow-costplasticsheetingoverthewindowsduringcoldweather.
Ifyouarehavingdifficultylocatingleaks,youmaywanttoconductabasicbuildingpressurizationtestbyfollowingthesesteps:
1. First,closeallexteriordoorsandwindowsandanyfireplaceflues.2. Turnoffallcombustionappliances,suchasagas-burningfurnaceandwaterheater.3. Then,turnonallexhaustfans(generallylocatedinthekitchenandbathrooms),or
usealargewindowfantosucktheairoutoftherooms.
Thistestincreasesinfiltrationthroughcracksandleaks,makingthemeasiertodetect.Youcanuseincensesticksoryourdamphandtolocatetheseleaks.Ifyouuseincensesticks,movingairwillcausethesmoketowaver,andifyouuseyourdamphand,anydraftswillfeelcooltoyourhand.
Ontheoutsideofyourhouse,inspectallareaswheretwodifferentbuildingmaterialsmeet,including:
o allexteriorcorners;o wheresidingandchimneysmeet;ando areaswherethefoundationandthebottomofexteriorbrickorsidingmeet.
Youshouldplugandcaulkholesandpenetrationsforfaucets,pipes,electricaloutletsandwiring.Lookforcracksandholesinthemortar,foundationandsiding,andsealthemwiththeappropriatematerial.Checktheexteriorcaulkingarounddoorsandwindows,andseewhetherexteriorstormdoorsandprimarydoorssealtightly.
Whensealinganyhome,youmustalwaysbeawareofthedangerofindoorairpollutionandcombustion-appliancebackdrafts.Backdraftinghappenswhenthevariouscombustionappliancesandexhaustfansinthehomecompeteforair.Anexhaustfanmaypullthecombustiongasesbackintothelivingspace.Thiscanobviouslycreateaverydangerousandunhealthysituationinthehome.
Inhomeswherefuelisburnedforheating(includingnaturalgas,fueloil,propaneandwood),becertaintheappliancehasanadequateairsupply.Generally,1squareinchofventopeningisrequiredforeach1,000BTUsoftheappliance’sinputheat.Whenindoubt,contactyourlocalutilitycompany,energyprofessional,orventilationcontractor.
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Insulation
Heatlossthroughtheceilingandwallsinyourhomecouldbeverylargeiftheinsulationlevelsarelessthantherecommendedminimum.Whenyourhousewasbuilt,thebuilderlikelyinstalledtheamountofinsulationrecommendedatthattime.Giventoday’senergyprices(andfuturepricesthatwillprobablybehigher),thelevelofinsulationmightbeinadequate,especiallyifyouhaveanolderhome.
Iftheattichatchislocatedaboveaconditionedspace,checktoseeifitisatleastasheavilyinsulatedastheattic,isweatherstripped,andclosestightly.Intheattic,determinewhetheropeningsforitemssuchaspipes,ductwork,andchimneysaresealed.Sealanygapswithanexpandingfoamcaulkorsomeotherpermanentsealant.
Whileyou’reinspectingtheattic,checktoseeifthereisavaporbarrierundertheatticinsulation.Thevaporbarriermightbetarpaper,Kraftpaperattachedtofiberglassbatts,oraplasticsheet.Iftheredoesn’tappeartobeavaporbarrier,youmightconsiderpaintingtheinteriorceilingswithvapor-barrierpaint.Thisreducestheamountofwatervaporthatcanpassthroughtheceiling.Largeamountsofmoisturecanreducetheeffectivenessofinsulationandpromotestructuraldamage.
Makesurethattheatticventsarenotblockedbyinsulation.Youalsoshouldsealanyelectricalboxesintheceilingwithflexiblecaulk(fromthelivingroomsideoratticside)andcovertheentireatticfloorwithatleastthecurrentrecommendedamountofinsulation.
Checkingawall’sinsulationlevelismoredifficult.Selectanexteriorwallandturnoffthecircuitbreakerorunscrewthefuseforanyoutletsinthewall.Besuretotesttheoutletstomakecertainthattheyarenotenergizedorhot.Checktheoutletbyplugginginafunctioninglamporportableradio.Onceyou’resureyouroutletsarenotgettinganyelectricity,removethecoverplatefromoneoftheoutletsandgentlyprobeintothewallwithathin,longstickorscrewdriver.Ifyouencounteraslightresistance,youhavesomeinsulationthere.Youcouldalsomakeasmallholeinacloset,behindacouch,orinsomeotherunobtrusiveplacetoseewhat,ifanything,thewallcavityisfilledwith.Ideally,thewallcavityshouldbetotallyfilledwithsomeformofinsulationmaterial.Unfortunately,thismethodcannottellyouiftheentirewallisinsulated,oriftheinsulationhassettled.Onlyathermographicinspectionwithaninfraredcameracandothis.
Ifyourbasementisunheated,determinewhetherthereisinsulationunderthelivingarea’sflooring.Inmostareasofthecountry,anR-valueof25istherecommendedminimumlevelofinsulation.TheinsulationatthetopofthefoundationwallandfirstfloorperimetershouldhaveanR-valueof19orgreater.Ifthebasementisheated,thefoundationwallsshouldbeinsulatedtoatleastR-19.Yourwaterheater,hotwaterpipes,andfurnaceductsshouldallbeinsulated.
HeatingandCoolingEquipment
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Inspectheatingandcoolingequipmentannually,orasrecommendedbythemanufacturer.Ifyouhaveaforced-airfurnace,checkyourfiltersandreplacethemasneeded.Generally,youshouldchangethemaboutonceeverymonthortwo,especiallyduringperiodsofhighusage.Haveaprofessionalcheckandcleanyourequipmentonceayear.
Iftheunitismorethan15yearsold,youshouldconsiderreplacingyoursystemwithoneofthenewer,energy-efficientunits.Anewunitwouldgreatlyreduceyourenergyconsumption,especiallyiftheexistingequipmentisinpoorcondition.Checkyourductworkfordirtstreaks,especiallynearseams.Theseindicateairleaks,andtheyshouldbesealedwithaductmastic.Insulateanyductsandpipesthattravelthroughunheatedspaces.AninsulationR-valueof6istherecommendedminimum.
Lighting
Energyforlightingaccountsforabout10%ofyourelectricbill.Examinethewattagesizeofthelightbulbsinyourhouse.Youmayhave100-watt(orlarger)bulbswhere60or75wattswoulddo.Youshouldalsoconsidercompactfluorescentlampsforareaswherelightsareonforhoursatatime.Yourelectricutilitymayofferrebatesorotherincentivesforpurchasingenergy-efficientlamps.
ProfessionalHomeEnergyAudits
Professionalenergyauditsgenerallygointogreatdetail.Theenergyauditorshoulddoaroom-by-roomexaminationoftheresidence,aswellasathoroughexaminationofpastutilitybills.
Manyprofessionalenergyassessmentswillincludeablowerdoortestandathermographicscanusinganinfraredcamera.
PreparingforanEnergyAssessment
Beforetheenergyauditorvisitsyourhouse,makealistofanyexistingproblemsyou’reawareof,suchascondensation,anduncomfortableordraftyrooms.Havecopiesorasummaryofthehome’syearlyenergybills.(Yourutilitycompanycanprovidethesetoyou.)Auditorsusethisinformationtoestablishwhattolookforduringtheaudit.
WhattheAuditorDoes
Theauditorfirstexaminestheoutsideofthehometodeterminethesizeofthehouseanditsfeatures,includingthewallarea,thenumberandsizeofwindows,etc.
Theauditorthenwillanalyzetheresidents’behavior,including:
o Howmanypeopleliveinthehome?o Iseveryroominuse?o Isanyonehomeduringthedaytime?
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o Whatistheaveragethermostatsettingforsummerandforwinter?
Youranswersmayhelpuncoversomesimplewaystoreduceyourhousehold’senergyconsumption.Walkthroughyourhomewiththeauditorass/heworksandaskquestions.Theauditormayuseequipmenttodetectsourcesofenergyloss,suchasablowerdoor,aninfraredcamera,afurnaceefficiencymeters,andsurfacethermometers.
SelectinganEnergyAuditor
Thereareseveralplaceswhereyoucanlocateprofessionalenergyassessmentorauditingservices.Yourstateorlocalgovernmentenergyorweatherizationofficemayhelpyouidentifyalocalcompanyororganizationthatperformsaudits.Theymayalsohaveinformationonhowtodoyourownassessment.Yourelectricorgasutilitymayconductresidentialenergyassessmentsorrecommendlocalauditors.Also,checkyourtelephonedirectoryunderheadingsbeginningwiththeword“Energy”forcompaniesthatperformresidentialenergyassessments.
TofindanInterNACHI-CertifiedHomeEnergyAuditor,visitwww.InspectorSeek.com.
Beforecontractingwithanenergyauditingcompany,youshouldtakethefollowingsteps:
• Getseveralreferences,andcontactthemall.Askiftheyweresatisfiedwiththework.
• CalltheBetterBusinessBureauandaskaboutanycomplaintsagainstthecompany.• Makesuretheenergyauditorusesacalibratedblowerdoor.• Makesuretheydothermographicinspections,orcontactanothercompanyto
conductone.
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Low-CostandNo-CostWaystoSaveEnergy
Hereareseveraldo-it-yourselftipstosaveenergyrightnow,includingeasylow-costandno-costwaystosaveenergy.
• Installaprogrammablethermostattolowerutilitybillsandmanageyourheatingandcoolingsystemsefficiently.
• Replacelampsinyourolderindoorandoutdoorincandescentlightingfixtureswithenergy-savingincandescent,CFL,andLEDlightbulbs.Upgrading15oftheinefficientincandescentlightbulbsinyourhomecouldsaveyouabout$50peryear.
• Airdrydishesinsteadofusingyourdishwasher’sdryingcycle.• Turnthingsoffwhenyouarenotintheroomsuchaslights,TVs,entertainment
systems,andyourcomputerandmonitor.• Plughomeelectronics,suchasTVsandDVDplayers,intopowerstrips;turnthe
powerstripsoffwhentheequipmentisnotinuse—TVsandDVDsinstandbymodestilluseseveralwattsofpower.
• Lowerthethermostatonyourwaterheaterto120°F.• Takeshortshowersinsteadofbathsanduselow-flowshowerheadsforadditional
energysavings.• Washonlyfullloadsofdishesandclothes.• Airdryclothes.• Checktoseethatwindowsanddoorsareclosedwhenheatingorcoolingyourhome.• KeepingtheairfilteronyourHVACsystemcleancanloweryoursystem’senergy
consumptionby5%–15%.• Youcansignificantlyreducehotwaterusebysimplyrepairingleaksinfixtures—
faucetsandshowerheads—orpipes.Aleakofonedrippersecondcancost$1permonth.
• Youcanpurchasesomequality,low-flowfixtures(showerheadsandsinkfaucetaerators)foraround$10to$20apieceandachievewatersavingsof25%–60%.
• Installheattrapsonyourwaterheatertank(valvesorloopsofpipethatallowwatertoflowintothewaterheatertankbutpreventunwantedhot-waterflowoutofthetank)tosavearound$15-$30onyourwaterheatingbills.
• Unlessyourwaterheater’sstoragetankalreadyhasahighR-valueofinsulation(atleastR-24),addinginsulationtoitcanreducestandbyheatlossesby25%–45%.Thiswillsaveyouaround4%–9%inwaterheatingcosts.
• Youcansignificantlyreduceswimmingpoolheatingcostsbyusingapoolcover.• Addingastormdoorcanbeagoodinvestmentifyourexistingdoorisoldbutstillin
goodcondition.• Youcanuseweatherstrippinginyourhometosealairleaksaroundmovablejoints,
suchaswindowsordoors.• Awell-designedlandscapenotonlycanaddbeautytoyourhomebutitalsocan
reduceyourheatingandcoolingcosts.Onaverage,landscapingforenergyefficiencyprovidesenoughenergysavingstoreturnaninitialinvestmentinlessthan8years.
• LookfortheENERGYSTAR®labelonlightbulbs,homeappliances,electronics,andotherproducts.ENERGYSTARproductsmeetstrictefficiencyguidelinessetbytheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyandtheU.S.DepartmentofEnergy.
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References
Thefollowingresourceswereusedtodevelopthissite:
o AmericanCouncilforanEnergy-EfficientEconomyhttp://www.aceee.org/consumer/
o CensusBureauPressRelease,InformationonHomeWorkersOctober20,2004.CB04-183.http://www.census.gov/
o DOEBuildingAmericahttp://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/building_america/
o DOEBuildingTechnologiesProgramhttp://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/
o DOEBuildingTechnologiesProgram,2007BuildingsEnergyDatabookhttp://buildingsdatabook.eere.energy.gov/
o DOEConsumerGuidetoEnergyEfficiencyandRenewableEnergyhttp://www.energysavers.gov/
o DOE/EPAFuelEconomyGuidehttp://www.fueleconomy.gov/
o DOEEnergyInformationAdministrationResidentialEnergyConsumptionSurvey2005http://www.eia.gov/consumption/residential/index.cfm
o ENERGYSAVERShttp://www.energysavers.gov/o ENERGYSTAR®http://www.energystar.gov/o HomeEnergyMagazinehttp://www.homeenergy.org/o RockyMountainInstituteHomeEnergyBriefshttp://www.rmi.org/o Wilson,Alex;Thorne,Jennifer;Morrill,John.ConsumerGuidetoHome
EnergySavings,8thEdition.2003.Washington,D.C.:ACEEEhttp://www.aceee.org/consumer
HomeEnergyInspectors
Thereareover9,000CertifiedHomeEnergyInspectors™intheUnitedStates.TofindyourlocalHomeEnergyInspector,visithttp://www.inspectorseek.com/andaskforanInterNACHIHomeEnergyInspection.
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YOUROPERATINGCOSTSIttakesalotofenergytoheat,cool,andoperateahome.Mosthomebuyerspurchaseahomewithoutfirstunderstandingwhatitwillcosttooperateitoncetheymovein.HOMEENERGYREPORTTheHomeEnergyReportwillgiveahomebuyeraquickunderstandingof:
• howmuchahomewillcosttooperateoncetheymovein;• whereenergy(and,therefore,money)isbeingwastedinthehome;and• whatcanbedonetosaveenergyandincreasecomfort.
Theaveragehomeownercansaveover$500everyyearonutilitybillsbyfollowingtheprioritizedrecommendationswithintheHomeEnergyReport.CERTIFIEDINSPECTIONToproduceaHomeEnergyReport,yourinspectorwillcollectover40datapointsrelatedtohomeenergy,thenuseanadvancedenergycalculatordevelopedbytheInternationalAssociationofCertifiedHomeInspectorsto:
• estimatethehome’syearlyenergyusage;• pinpointpotentialenergyinefficiencies;• developrecommendationsforenergyimprovements;and• determineyourpotentialenergysavings.
HOMEENERGYBOOKTheHomeEnergyBookisincludedwithyourHomeEnergyReport.Thiscompanione-bookdescribesadditionalwaystosaveenergy,increasecomfort,andprotecttheenvironment.Italsoincludesdo-it-yourselftipstosaveenergyrightnow,includingeasylow-costandno-costwaystosaveenergy.MAKINGHOMEENERGYIMPROVEMENTSThebenefitsfrommakingenergyimprovementsincludesavingonyourutilitybills,increasingthecomfortofyourhome,andreducingyouruseofnaturalresources.Intheexamplereportshownabove,thishomewillcostthehomeowner$1,451peryeartooperate.Ifthefamilymakestherecommendedenergyimprovementsaftertheymovein,theycouldexpecttosave$571everyyear.TheseestimatesandrecommendationsarebasedontheenergycalculationsandcostdatabasesadministeredbytheU.S.DepartmentofEnergyanditsLawrenceBerkeleyNationalLaboratory.
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HomeEnergyeBook
AboutTheHomeEnergyeBook
ThisisthecompanionbooktotheHomeEnergyReportprovidedtoyoubyyourInterNACHI-certifiedinspector.ToaccessyourHomeEnergyReport,pleasecontactyourinspector.
PleasereferbacktoyourHomeEnergyReporttounderstand:
• howmuchyourhomewillcosttooperate;• whereenergy(and,therefore,yourmoney)isbeingwasted;and• whatyoucandotosaveenergyandincreasecomfort.
Inadditiontotheenergy-savingrecommendationsinyourHomeEnergyReport,thiscompanionbookdescribesadditionalwaystosaveenergy,increasecomfort,andprotecttheenvironment.Italsoincludesdo-it-yourselftipstosaveenergyrightnow,includingeasylow-costandno-costwaystosaveenergy.
ThisinformationwasadaptedfromdataandcontentinthepublicdomainprovidedbytheUnitedStatesgovernment,includingtheU.SDepartmentofEnergyandtheEnvironmentalProtectionAgency.InterNACHI,noranyoftheiremployeesorcontractors,makesanywarranty,expressorimplied,orassumesanylegalliabilityorresponsibilityfortheaccuracy,completenessorusefulnessofanyinformation,apparatus,productorprocessdisclosed,orrepresentsthatitsusewouldnotinfringeonprivately-ownedrights.Referencehereintoanyspecificcommercialproduct,processorservicebytradename,trademark,manufacturer,orotherwisedoesnotnecessarilyconstituteorimplyitsendorsement,recommendationorfavoringbyInterNACHI.TheviewsandopinionsofauthorsexpressedhereindonotnecessarilystateorreflectthoseofInterNACHI.
BoulderEnergySmart
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InJuneof2012,anewpartnershipbetweenInterNACHIandBoulderCounty'sEnergySmart(www.EnergySmartYES.com)willresultinInterNACHI-CertifiedHomeInspectorsdrivingdemandforhomeenergyimprovements.
Nearly300InterNACHI-CertifiedProfessionalInspectors®inColoradowillbeprovidingaddedbenefitstoBoulderCountyhomebuyersatthepointofsalebyprovidingHomeEnergyReportsandlinkingtheirinspectionresultstoEnergySmartAdvisors.TakealookatasampleHomeEnergyReportthatincludesEnergySmartAdvisorsathttp://energytool.nachi.org/my-report/22f7b8j-g1i5ch8.
Overview:
1. TheHomeEnergyReportwillbeusedinsteadofEnergySmart's$120"HomeEnergyAssessment"
2. ThereportwillautomaticallybesentaBoulderCountyEnergySmartAdvisor3. TheEnergySmartAdvisorwillprovidetheinspector'sclientwith:
o freeenergy-savinglightbulbs;o freewater-savingshowerheads;o freewaterfaucetaerators;o freein-homevisitandconsultationbyanEnergySmartAdvisor;o anexplanationofthehome'senergyuse;o helpwithdeterminingthemostcost-effectivehomeimprovements;o helpwithobtainingandevaluatingbidsfromqualifiedcontractors;ando helpinfindingandapplyingforrebatesandfinancialincentives.
EnergySmartreportsareonlyavailableinBoulderCounty.EnergySmartisacollaborativepartnershipthroughoutBoulderCounty,fundedbytheDepartmentofEnergy'sBetterBuildingsProgram,combinedwithcontributionsfromtheCityofBoulder’sClimateActionPlantaxandtheCityofLongmont.Typically,EnergySmartrequiresthata$120"HomeEnergyAssessment"beperformedonahometoqualify.InterNACHI'shomeenergyreportisacceptedasanalternative,whichmeansthattheinspectors'clientshaveaccesstotheprogramatnoextracost.
EnergySmartreportsincludeadditionalinformationaboutBoulderCounty'sEnergySmartprogram,andaresenttoBoulderCountysothatyourclientcanreceivethebenefitsofthisprogram.
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Yourclienthasnoobligationtoreceivethesefreeservices,andcanopt-outwhenanadvisorcontactsthem.
EnergySmarthasagreedtopayInterNACHImembersasmallfeetoperformHomeEnergyReportsinBoulderCounty.Fundingislimitedandendssoon.ContactBenGromickoformoreinformation.
Homebuyersareincreasinglyconcernedaboutenergyissues,askingquestionssuchas,“Howmuchwillthishomecosttooperate?”and“HowcanIsavemoneybysavingenergy?”Homeinspectorsnationwidesitdownwithabout5millionnewhomeownerseveryyearandspendseveralhourstalkingaboutthosehomes.Thetypicalnewhomeownerstartsplanninghomeimprovementprojectsatthepointofsaleandwillspendaround$8,000inthefirstyearontheirnewhome.That’s$40billionofworkthatcanbeinfluencedbythehomeinspectors.Morethananyotherconsumer,arecenthomebuyerspendsthemostmoneyonmajorhomeimprovementsprojects,butoftenwithlittleregardtoenergy.EnergySmartcanassistthemwithprioritizingandimplementingtheseprojects,aswellasprovidingrebatesandfinancingtomakeupgradesmoreaffordable.Leveraginghomeinspectorstotargethomebuyerswithconsumereducationcanbetterdrivedemandfortheseservices.Inthisnewpartnership,InterNACHI-CertifiedProfessionalInspectors®andEnergySmartAdvisorswillworktogethertoreachresidentsandbusinessesinallBoulderCountycommunitiestomotivatethemtotakethenextstepinsavingenergy,whichwillhelpprotecttheenvironmentandspurtheeconomy.
Copyright©2006-2016InternationalAssociationofCertifiedHomeInspectors,Inc.
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