Energy Saving Tips for Conserving

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Energy Saving Tipsfor Conserving

• University of Nebraska ? Lincoln Extension
• Shirley Niemeyer
• Extension Specialist
• Housing Environment
• and

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Goal

• Save energy resources, dollars reduce emissions
  by using energy conservation measures energy
  efficient products in the home.

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Objectives

• Identify 5 of 10 energy saving measures.
• Choose 2 of 10 energy saving measures to use in
  own home.

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What have you done in your own home in the last 5
years to save energy?
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U.S. Homes are Large Energy Users!

• About what of the total U.S. energy consumption
  does home use represent?
• The U.S. uses what of the worlds total energy
  used?
• What of the total U.S. carbon dioxide emissions
  are created by home use operation?

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1. Dial Down

• 10 Energy Saving Tips for the Home

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Dial Down

• Turn the thermostat down in the winter up in
  summer.
• You save about 2 to 3 on your heating bill for
  every 1º that you lower the thermostat setting.
• Example If thermostat is set at 73ºF in the
  winter, lowered by 3º to 70ºF, you save about
  9 or 9 cents for every dollar you spend on
  heating costs.

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Dial Down

• A programmable
• thermostat, costing about
• 30 to 200, schedules
• temperature adjustments.
• It can automatically cut back on heating at
  night, turn the heat up again before people
  arise, adjust for weekends.
• If used properly, ENERGY STAR labeled thermostats
  can save up to 100 a year.

Photo UN-L, S. Niemeyer
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2. Select Energy Efficient Products

• 10 Energy Saving Tips for the Home

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Select Energy Efficient Products

• Products have 2 price tags
• The ENERGY STAR label means the product meets or
  exceeds the increased energy efficiency
  guidelines set by the U.S. EPA U.S. Department
  of Energy for that product line.

Purchase Price
Operating Price
40/mo.
690
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More than 40 categoriesof products are involved

• Appliances
• Battery Chargers
• Clothes Washers
• Dehumidifiers
• Dishwashers
• Refrigerators Freezers
• Room AC
• Room Air cleaners
• Water Coolers
• Electronics
• Computers
• Copiers
• External Power Adapters
• Fax Machines
• Laptops
• Monitors
• Printers
• Scanners

• Heating Cooling Home Electronics
• Geothermal Heat Pumps Cordless Phones
• Insulation Power Adapters
• Programmable Thermostat Home Audio
• Room AC TV
• Ventilating Fans VCRs
• Air-source Heat Pumps DVD Products
• Boilers Battery Chargers
• Central AC Furnaces
• Dehumidifier
• Ceiling Fans
• Lighting
• Compact Fluorescent
• Light Bulbs
• Light Fixtures
• Home Sealing (Insulation Air Sealing)
• Roof Products
• Windows, Doors Skylights

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Save Energy Dollars

• Example comparison of current Energy Star rated
  products . . .
• Energy Star qualified
• Refrigerator save more than 35/yr. over older
  models
• Dishwasher about 20/yr.
• Clothes Washer about 60/yr.
• Room Air Conditioner about 15/yr. if replace a
  10 year old model
• 40 pint dehumidifiers can save 20/yr.
• Estimated TOTAL SAVED/YR. About 1,500
  (varies with model, efficiency, use cost of
  energy)

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Look for Energy Guide Labels

• EnergyGuide label on appliances indicates
• 1. scale for use in comparing energy usage of
  models
• approximate annual operating costs
• for each model

Photo NREL
Photo DOE
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3. Seal Air Duct Seams

• 10 Energy Saving Tips

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Air Ducts Can Leak

• Typical heating cooling air ducts leak about
  15 to 20 of the heated or cooled air into
  unconditioned (unheated or non-cooled) spaces
  such as into crawlspaces, attics, walls,
  basements, garages.

Photo NREL
Mastic on duct seams joints
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Seal Air Duct Seams

• Seal with
• Mastic - a paste found at some wholesale retail
  heating cooling businesses, can be brushed on
  seams.
• Or approved foil-based duct Tape (UL 181 label)
  not regular duct tape

Photos NREL
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Inspect Air Ducts

• Seal insulate duct systems
• Can improve a heating cooling systems
  efficiency by as much as 20 result in savings
  of up to 150 annually (U.S. Dept. of Energy).
• Ask a professional heating cooling contractor
  trained to inspect test for duct leakage, to
  evaluate ductwork leakage.
• Insulate ducts in unheated attics
• crawlspaces. Protect any water
• pipes in area from freezing.

Photo. U.S. DOE
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4. Select Energy Efficient Windows

• 10 Energy Saving Tips

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Creating Higher Performance Windows

• Replace single pane windows with double-pane
  windows with high performance glass or add high
  performance storm windows.
• Installing storm windows can reduce heat loss by
  as much as 50 over a single pane window.
• Tighten up existing windows

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Look for High Performance

• Windows in heating-dominated climates (cold
  climates)
• account for up to 25 of typical houses
  heating load
• Windows in cooling-dominated climates
• account for up to 50 of cooling load.
• When replacing selecting windows
• Look for EnergyStar label EnergyGuide labels
• Look on-line for Energy rating systems to compare
  brands styles. Go to
• http//cpd.nfrc.org/pubsearch/psMain.asp

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Look for High Performance

• High performance
• Look for National Fenestration Rating Council
  NFRC label
• Lower U-value means better insulated. Select .35
  or below if possible
• Select air leakage rating of about 0.3 cubic
  ft/min. or less
• Select low-e (low emissivity) and/or selective
  coatings for the climate
• Compare SHGC Solar Heat Gain Coefficient for
  climate orientation of home

Label example
Label program is voluntary
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Correct Installation

• Correct installation is essential for any window
  style.
• Poor installation may lead to poor performance
  including air leaks water moving into inner
  wall cavity causing damaged wood siding.
• If in doubt about the installation methods,
  contact the manufacturer.
• For more tips on windows, go to
• www.eren.doe.gov/consumerinfo/energy_savers/window
  s.html or
• www.efficientwindows.org/factsheets/Nebraska.pdf

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5. Caulk Weatherstrip

• 10 Energy Saving Tips

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Inspect for leaks

• About 1/3 of air that infiltrates homes through
  holes cracks in ceilings, walls, floors
  foundations.
• Inspect for cracks holes yearly especially
  look for leaks into the attic.

Photo VA Energy Savers Handbook
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Caulking

• Where are the areas that may need to be inspected
  caulked?
• Use correct caulk for material purpose

Gap
Photo S. Niemeyer UN-L
Rope caulk
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Weatherstripping

• Weatherstripping comes in various forms for
  specific purposes such as door bottoms sides,
  sections of windows, around attic hatches.
• Select a durable product inspect it yearly.
• You may pay a little more for quality, but you
  will not replace it as often.

Examples
Source VA Energy Savers Handbook
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6. Increase Heating Efficiency

• 10 Energy Saving Tips

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Increase Heating Efficiency

• Correct sizing of heating cooling units for the
  space is essential.

• Have systems serviced annually maintain clean
  filter systems as specified.
• Maintenance is critical for efficiency.
• Change/clean filters.

High Efficiency Furnace
Photo NREL
Geothermal Heat Pump
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Replacing Choosing Heating System

• Look for EnergyStar
• EnergyGuide Labels
• Also compare
• AFUE rating (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency)
• HSPF Factor (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor)
  OR
• COP (Coefficient of Performance)
• Generally, look for higher ratings on these
  rating systems.

Photo S. Niemeyer UN-L
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Efficiency RatingsHeating Systems
Also look for EnergyStar EnergyGuide labels
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7. Increase Cooling Efficiency

• 10 Energy Saving Tips

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Selecting High Performance Cooling Equipment

• Compare cooling efficiency ratings.
• Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER)
• Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER)
• Select systems with the higher ratings.

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• Some systems heat cool
• Example Ground source heat pumps

Photo NREL
Photo Virginia Energy Handbook
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Selecting High Performance Cooling Equipment
Also look for EnergyStar EnergyGuide labels
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Increase Cooling Efficiency

• Place window air conditioners in windows on north
  side or shaded areas.
• Insulate or store window air conditioners in the
  winter.
• Trees can provide evaporative cooling.

Utah House Photo S. Niemeyer
Overhangs shade important
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8. Check Insulation

• 10 Energy Saving Tips

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Is Insulation Adequate?

• Check that the insulation is adequate in your
  home.
• In Nebraska, generally the recommended value for
  attics is R-49 walls, R-18 floors, R-25 slab
  edge, R-8.
• See also NE Energy Office at www.neo.ne.gov/

Source Virginia Energy Savers Handbook
Photo NREL
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9. Switch Out Light Bulbs

• 10 Energy Saving Tips

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Choose Efficient Light Bulbs

• Lighting accounts for about 5 to 10 of total
  home energy use.
• Compact fluorescent bulbs produce the same amount
  of light or lumens as incandescent, but use less
  energy or watts.
• Newer very efficient light source is LED (light
  emitting diodes) in traffic lights, flashlights
  appearing for home use.

Photo NREL
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Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs

• ENERGY STAR qualified compact fluorescent light
  bulbs
• Provide bright, warm light while using about 2/3
  less energy than standard lighting,
• Generate about 70 less heat,
• Lasts up to 10 times longer than traditional
  incandescent
• light bulbs.

Fluorescent
Photo NREL
Photo NREL
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Replace Incandescent Bulbs

• Replacing one traditional incandescent bulb with
  an ENERGY STAR compact fluorescent will save
  about 25 per bulb in energy costs over its
  lifetime.
• Although the bulbs may cost more up front, they
  save over the life of the bulb.

Photo NREL
Long-life compact Fluorescent
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10. When Off is On

• 10 Energy Saving Tips

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Turn Equipment Off

• Household appliances, TVs, electronics continue
  to use energy when turned off if they power
  clocks, remote controls, other features.

• About 40 of the electricity used to power home
  electronics is used while the products are turned
  off but continue to power features.

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Power Down

• Electronics in sleep mode
• can use up to 20 of electricity needed when
  fully on.
• Electronics with EnergyStar label can use as much
  as 50 less energy to perform same functions
• Power down turn
• completely off when
• not in use.

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Conclusion
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Conclusion

• Manage heat loss gain in homes through
• Caulking, Weatherstripping Insulating
• Sealing insulating air ducts
• Selecting high performance windows, or adding
  storm windows or repairing existing windows
• Selecting EnergyStar high performance
  appliances, equipment, heating cooling
  equipment, lighting, electronics other products

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Evaluation

• Choose 2 actions you will do to reduce energy
  use costs in your own home.
• Fill out evaluation return to
• Extension Educator in your
• area or to
• S. Niemeyer, UN-L, Room 205 HE Bldg. Lincoln NE
  68583-0804
• THANK YOU!

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Resources Used in Developing the Program

• U.S. Department of Energy www.climatevision.gov
  
• Energy Savers Tips on Saving Energy Money at
  Home
• www1.eere. energy.gov/consumer/tips/
  pdfs/energy_ savers.pdf
• Geothermal Heat PumpsDepartment of Energy
• www.eren.doe.gov/RE/geo_heat_pumps.html
• Consumer Information [phone]
• www.eere.energy.gov/consumer
• Air-Source Heat Pumps www.eere.energy.gov/consum
  er/your_home/space_heating_cooling/
• index.cfm/mytopic01262
• Energy Star [phone]
  www.energystar.gov
• Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
  Clearinghouse
• 1-800-363-3732 Fax [phone]
• www1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/tips/pdfs/ energy_s
  avers.pdf
• Energy Fact Sheets www.eere.energy.gov/office_eer
  e/factsheets.html
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• ENERGY STAR Programs www.energystar.gov

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University of Nebraska ? Lincoln Extension