Entries categorized as ‘smart energy’
Home energy retrofits are becoming increasingly common, but as the market spreads, so do misconceptions about the best way to generate savings. While some marketers have attempted to advertise “silver bullet” strategies, in reality, says Matt Golden of Sustainable Spaces, no one solution is right for every house every time. One of the best ways to figure out which retrofits work for your home is to have a professional energy audit, and in the meantime, watch out for these five misconceptions about home energy efficiency.
Myths:
1. You should install solar PV as a first step: Solar systems may be flashy but there are many less showy measures that give you significantly more energy saving bang for your buck. More cost-efficient steps include insulation, sealing ducts, adding CFLs, and ENERGY STAR appliances to name a few.
2. All insulation is equal: While fiberglass batts are common, small gaps can lead to dramatic efficiency reductions. Blown-in, or loose-fill, fiberglass orcellulose insulation is generally far more effective for retrofits.
3. Double paned windows are always beneficial: In the U.S., window manufacturers aren’t required to report testing data on air leakage which means that some double-paned brands may actually leak a lot of air. Also windows with a low emissivity reflective film, may help in the summer but will hinder heat gain in the winter. The bottom line is that if you are buying new windows be sure to do your research on the manufacturer and consider your heating and cooling needs carefully.
4. You need a tankless water heater: These systems do not necessarily save energy for larger families. Generally, if a household uses more than one tank worth of hot water per day, then a conventional system may be more efficient.Water heater tips >>
5. Zeroing your electric bill means you’re using no energy: While cutting electricity is crucial, natural gas is also used in many homes for space and water heating, and it is important to cut back on natural gas use as well.
Categories: savings at home · smart energy · smart living
Highlights
ENERGY STAR® qualified ceiling fans move a greater volume of air with less power by taking advantage of advanced motor features and design. Some models also incorporate CFLs for even greater energy savings.
Over the summer you get a breeze. With air flow over your skin, you feel as comfortable at 75 degrees as in air that is still at 70 degrees. By setting the air conditioner thermostat higher, the electricity savings can be as high as 25- 40% in summer. As well you save up to 10% on heating bills in the winter by setting the fan on low speed and gently circulating the warm air down that has risen tot he ceiling.
The ROI Calculation is based on two rooms with multi-speed reversible fans, and savings of $5 per month over the course of the year.
Categories: savings at home · smart energy · smart living
We all know that replacing old incandescent light bulbs with Compact Fluorescent (CFL) bulbs saves energy and cuts lighting costs. As big of an improvement as CFLs are, new breakthroughs in Light Emitting Diode (LED) technology may soon put these bulbs in more homes, giving CFLs a run for their money.
Lemnis Lighting, a Dutch company, has developed a consumer-ready bulb that they believe is the future of lighting and is available now.
The new Pharox is a 6 watt LED bulb that matches the light output of a 60 watt incandescent bulb and contains no mercury. The bulbs are designed to last an astonishing 25 years with normal use and are fully dimmable.
While the price, just under $50, is steep for a single bulb, its super low energy use means a payback of just 3.5 years. Like any new technology there are some problems that need to be worked out. The bulbs may generate too much heat in enclosed fixtures like ceiling fans, and testing has shown lower light output than advertised. Despite this, the new bulb is important because it shows what is possible in the next generation of consumer lighting and the price is sure to fall as more companies produce these type of bulbs.
By A. Galbraith
Categories: savings at home · smart energy
smart ideas for home improvement, part iv
the other beast … the hot water heater. Here are some ideas to help lower your overall energy consumption concerning your hot water.
Insulate it. Wrap it around the entire tank – don’t forget the hot water pipes (if exposed) too!
Lower it. Turn the dial down to a comfortable level.
… when all else fails …
Replace it. Newer ones are more energy efficient and rebates from PG&E may be had.
Demand it. Heated tanks can lose up to 15% due to heat transfer so … Go tankless with a hot water on-demand system, they work much like those on-demand hot water dispenser near faucets and coffee makers.
Create it. Another good alternative is to install a solar hot water system. Use something that is had for free … the sun!
Next week … Wise Water Usage.
Categories: savings at home · smart energy · smart water
smart ideas for home improvement, part iii
If you add up your consumption of lighting & appliances, you will quickly see that they consume just as much as your heating and cooling system! Roughly 9% of your total usage is the beast in the kitchen … yes, your beloved refrig! Here are some things to consider …
Replace it. Newer units use up to 50% less energy – remember PG&E may have a rebate waiting for you too.
Lower it. The setting that is. Experiment with the temperature settings by 1 or 2 degrees at a time to see what’s except-able.
Fill it. Keep the refrig and freezer sides full as cold/frozen food retains cold better and longer than air – make sure not to over-stuff your space as this decreases air circulation.
Next week … You’re in Hot Water.
Categories: savings at home · smart energy
lighting & appliances
The second largest energy consumer in your home is lighting and appliances … 33% of your overall energy consumption.
older appliances
If you’ve had yours for more than 10 years, it is likely that it’s not as efficient as a newer one that’s Energy Star rated. Energy Star rated appliances basically use much less energy than your older one, just read the yellow sticker and choose which one best suits you. Bonus: PG&E may get you a rebate!
change that bulb!
Did you know that the standard (incandescent) light bulb uses 2/3 more energy than a Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL)? I know what you’re thinking … those fluorescent ones are dim and they buzz, right? I saw 3 types the other day at Home Depot: Bright White, Daylight & Soft White. Bonus: they last 7 – 10 years and made of much less Mercury than before. Disposing of them is similar to used batteries. Go to your local hardware store and try one!
off hours usage
Try to use appliances such as dishwasher, clothes washer/dryer at night (after 7pm) where energy is cheaper and overall usage is down.
Next week … Refrigerator
Categories: savings at home · smart energy
smart ideas for home improvement
This is the first of a four part series that talks about energy efficiency and what you can do to increase your comfort in the home, cut down on energy bills, and staying green at the same time.
heating & cooling
We’ll start off by the highest energy consumer in the entire house … your heating & cooling system. As you can see, almost 50% of your total energy usage comes from this system; the first thing to note is the orientation of your home – obviously, this is something that cannot easily be changed but is worth pointing out a few things.
South facing: preferable orientation for windows w/a roof eave or awning. During winter, the sun is (more…)
Categories: everyday life · savings at home · smart energy · smart living
… a reversion in our driving habits and car choices. Remember when petro for your car was $4.50/gallon? Not long ago was it? At that price, we’re thinking … I’ve got to decrease my driving and use public transportation (BART, bus or otherwise), or I’ve got to get rid of this car of mine that’s costing me too much money every time I fill this thing! Admit it, you were probably looking into at least some other alternative, right?
Then, gas prices began to decrease and slowly you thought … yeah … $3/gallon … then $2.00/gallon … I can handle that, forget about public transportation or even that hybrid – come on, admit it. My question is .. why not take control of this in even the smallest way? Yes, gas prices are much more manageable, but you’re still being controlled by OPEC! When it got down to $1.69/gallon in the Bay Area (or sub-$60/barrel), OPEC got real nervous and began to cut back production or crude oil to create a supply and demand situation to bump barrel pricing back up. Guess what? It worked. Today, you probably happily pay $2.15/gallon and not think twice about hopping in your car to drive somewhere because it’s considered “cheap” to do so, right?
Someone told me that other day – why should I buy a hybrid car right now when gas prices are so low? My answer to him was: because no matter what the price of gas is, you’ll be saving that much more – be it $2/gal. or $5/gal. Comparing my ol’ BMW consuming 15 gallons of premium cost me (at $2/gal) $30 and going about 330 miles total. That same 15 gallon fill-up cost me $28 (using regular grade) in my Nissan Altima Hybrid w/nearly the same horsepower, gives me about 540 miles! I’m talking reduced consumption here. Reduce, Reuse and Recycle … a prime example of reduction. See you at the gas pump … on your second trip! Makes you want to think … hmmmm … doesn’t it?
Food for thought …
Why do things have to drastically affect our personal pocketbook before we take a stand on things? Look out for my next posting on this topic … thanks for stopping by.
Categories: everyday life · smart energy
When you turn on the water faucet of your sink, shower or bath, how long does it take to finally get hot water to start spewing from it? It may not seem like a long time, but adding it up over a week, a month and even a year’s time, will astonish you … about 25% of your total water consumption is wasted whenever you’re sitting there waiting for the warm/hot water to come from your trusty water heater.
If you’d like to save water and money from literally going down the drain, consider a tankless water heater. Not only do you not have to wait for cold water to flush its way out (through the pipes), but save you a lot of $$$ in the long run. It’s like having one of those instant “hot water on demand” systems for your faucets and showers! Go ahead … take the plunge.
Categories: everyday life · savings at home · smart energy · smart water
In search of windows ...
discovery
Yes, it’s been cold outside lately – in the 30s and 40s. In some parts of the country that’s considered warm for this time of year, but here in the SF Bay Area, that’s pretty cold for us. Anyhow, whilst enjoying a hot cup o’tea, chatting and Facebookin’, I felt this stream of cool … no … c-o-l-d air behind me; My back was cool to the touch. I discovered that the windows (although shut) behind me were letting in the outside air. We moved into this home (new construction) about 12 years ago and I never really paid attention to how much these contractor-grade window encasements were leaking! (The picture to the right isn’t my home … I just borrowed it from the web)
inspection
Like the infamous Inspector Clueseau (Pink Panther movies), I went around the house with a smoldering inscent stick and discovered window leaks in almost every one I checked.
action
My next step now is to do some homework on the type of windows that I need to install to keep the warm in and the cold out during these winter months ahead. look out for my next posting as I seek out the best type of window (for the price).
Are you ready to join me or have suggestions? I’d love to hear about your experiences with this …
Categories: savings at home · smart energy · smart living
