What can You and I do?

Brent Nelson

March 2012, ASA Workshop

What can You and I do?

Brent Nelson

March 2012, ASA Workshop

What can You and I do?

Brent Nelson

March 2012, ASA Workshop

Understand Every Nuance of this Chart

Not Really!!

What can You and I do?

Residential ½ Heating & Cooling

Go For Energy Efficiency First

Energy Efficiency!

Energy Efficiency!!

Energy Efficiency!!!

• Fix Air Leaks (>1970’s)

• Install Adequate Insulation (< 1970’s)

• Replace Windows (single pain)

$1 on Energy Efficiency saves

$2-4 over generating energy

• Passive Heating

• Active Heating

• Renewable Electricity

Professional Energy Audits

Hire Independent (not selling “fixes”)

Typical Tests include:

– Blower Door Test

– Thermal Imaging

– Duct Pressure Test

– Heat Pump, Furnace, A/C Commissioning

– Appliance Evaluation

Insulate and Seal

Minimum Insulation Values

Location Insulation

Attic > R-40

Walls > R-13

Basements > R-11

Crawlspaces > R-11

Floors (over unheated) > R-20

R-value = Resistance to conductive heat loss. The higher the R-value the better. Fiberglass ~ R-3 per inch

Payback Periods

Furnaces

• Look for heat inefficiencies

• Clean units/registers/filters (change monthly)

• Install ducts in conditioned space

• Seal ducts if ducts are accessible

• Insulate ducts in unconditioned spaces

• Install set back thermostats 1 degree = 1% lower energy bill per 8 hour set back; 3% per permanent set back

• Purchase new furnace or boiler with high annual fuel utilization efficiency AFUE (>90%)

Thermostats

• Set thermostat as low (for heating)/high (for cooling) as possible

• Save 3% of total heating energy for each degree decrease in thermostat setpoint

• Cranking the temperature past the desired level will not heat/cool the house faster

Colorado: All Windows, U < 0.35

South Windows with Overhangs

•SHGC > 0.60

•Awindow÷ Afloor = 7-12%

(low-high mass construction)

•Low U, High SHGC = special order

•PPG SunGate 500, Cardinal LoE-178, etc.

•LoE on surface #3-outside surface of inside glass

South Windows

without Overhangs

•Install overhangs

or

•SHGC < 0.40

East & West Windows

•SHGC < 0.40

•minimize A

North Windows

•SHGC not important

•minimize A

Water Heating

• Set water temperature to 120 degrees

• Repair leaky faucets

• Insulate water heater and pipes

• Use low-flow shower heads and faucets

• Maintain your water heater

• Use vacation setting when out of town

• On-demand “tankless” water heaters are more efficient

• “Heat Pump” water heaters

Lighting

• Turn off lights when not needed

• Install motion sensors on exterior lighting

• Install motion sensors or timers on interior lighting

• Don’t turn on lights when daylight is sufficient

• Install task lighting in kitchens and offices

• Use 4-ft fluorescent fixtures with electronic ballasts in work areas (garages, laundry rooms)

• Replace incandescent, halogen, and spotlight bulbs/fixtures with CF bulbs/fixtures

• LEDs are even better, less energy and longer lasting

Appliances / Parasitic Losses

• Idle appliances waiting to receive signal from remote control (idle TVs and VCRs cost $30/yr/household in the U.S.)

• Any appliance with a digital clock

• Cordless telephones

• Computer and home office equipment that is left on all the time

• Purchase Energy-Star appliances with “sleep”

• features or turn off/unplug appliances when not in use

Efficiency “Premium” Paybacks

Passive Solar Heating

• No mechanical moving heat

• The building itself works

• Five key design element

- Aperture (windows)

- Absorber

- Thermal Mass

- Distribution (passive)

- Control (overhangs, dampers)

Active Solar Heating • Uses pumps or fans

• Brings heat to spaces

• Five key design element

- Collectors

- Storage

- Distribution

- Control

- Summer heat shedding

Solar Electric (Photovoltaics)

Ground Mounted Solar

Residential Wind Power

• 0.5 kW – 2 kW

• $3 - $6 per Watt installed

• Rebates and incentives are available.

• Can use NREL’s IMBY tool for calculations.

Other Sustainable Options

• Micro Hydro

• Day Lighting

• Geothermal Heat Pumps

Transportation

Questions?

References • Colorado Home Performance

http://www.coloradohomeperformance.org/

• Building America – Resources for Energy Efficient Homes http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/building_america/

• DOE Energy Star: Save Energy at Home https://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=products.pr_save_energy_at_home

• City of Seattle’s do it yourself home energy audit http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/static/DIYweb_LatestReleased_DPDP016083.pdf

• R-Value Recommendation Calculator http://www.ornl.gov/sci/roofs%2bwalls/insulation/ins_16.html