[Durham INC] Energy Weatherization and Conservation Suggestions

[Laura Drey]

Energy Weatherization and Conservation Suggestions
 
 <mailto:wendyghb at yahoo.com>

Recommendations shown before the asterisks are from:
Lou Zeller
Science Director, Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League
336.982.2691
PO Box 88, Glendale Springs, NC 28629
www.bredl.org/ <http://www.bredl.org/>


Conservation and weatherization suggestions are mostly easy and inexpensive
or free. All are practical for all types of homes.
 
Attic

Check the fit of your attic access door or pull-down stairs. Weather-strip
and insulate the door where you can.

Ventilate the attic space. Homes built long ago may have little ventilation
or original vents may have been blocked by later construction. Vents are
needed both high and low in the attic space to promote good circulation for
proper ventilation.

If you're having a new roof installed, consider adding a ridge vent in the
process. 

Bathroom

Turn off faucets tightly and fix leaky faucets promptly. A leak of one drop
per second wastes more than 250 gallons of water a month, and the energy
used to heat it. 

Take shorter showers and install water-saving shower heads.

Turn off the water faucet while shaving or brushing your teeth.

Clean particles from aerator screens and showerhead jets annually. Unscrew
from faucet or shower arm, and remove particles from screen or nozzles. If
possible, disassemble to clean. Soak in bleach solution if needed.

Set your water heater thermostat at or below 120° F to avoid risk of
scalding. You can purchase dishwashers with pre-heaters that work well with
lower water temperatures.

Bedroom

Be comfortable all night and save energy.

Use draft guards at the bottom of any doors that open into unconditioned
areas. 

Close heating vents or radiators in rooms you don't use. However, if you
have a heat pump system, leave all doors and vents open to ensure proper
airflow. 

In cold weather: lower your thermostat at night and use more blankets.

Kitchen

Grime from cooking, smoking and dust can make a lightbulb dirty, reducing
the light it gives off. Inspect and clean bulbs regularly.

Use stove exhaust fans that vent to the outdoors as little as possible
during the winter to limit sending heated air outdoors.

Run your garbage disposal with cold water.

Studies show electric dishwashers use less hot water than washing and
rinsing dishes by hand. When you purchase a dishwasher, look for one with a
short or light cycle. They require fewer fills and less hot water. Some
dishwashers use up to 40 percent less hot water per load, and others allow
you to reduce the temperature settings on your water heater. Both can save
you money. 

Check the condition of your dishwasher filter screen and clean or replace it
when necessary. 

Save more energy by air drying your dishes and running only full loads.

Don't open the oven door to check on food any more than necessary. About 25
percent of the heat escapes each time you do. Turn off the oven about 15 to
20 minutes before the end of the cooking time. The left-over heat will
finish the job. 

Avoid cooking during the hottest parts of a summer's day. Cook outdoors when
you can. 

Cook in oven-safe glass or ceramic pans when you can. They allow you to set
your oven temperature twenty-five degrees lower than the recipe calls for.

Keep pots and pans covered and use the right size pot or pan for the size of
your stove's burner. Use properly fitted lids to hold the heat in.
When boiling a liquid, only put in the pot what you will use. Start with a
high heat setting. When boiling starts, turn the heat down and allow foods
to simmer until fully cooked.

Begin a self-cleaning cycle while your oven is still hot from cooking.

Do summer cooking in the evening so your home stays more comfortable during
the day. 

Cook several dishes in the oven at the same time. Prepare double recipes
when you can and freeze for future use. Re-heat with microwave.

Take the pan test on a gas stove or cook top. If the flame is visible on the
sides of the pan, lower the setting to conserve fuel.

Keep the door closed when broiling in a gas stove to keep in high
temperatures. The gas flames will consume smoke and grease.
 
Partially thaw frozen foods in the refrigerator before cooking them. In many
cases, thawing foods lets you cut cooking times by a third.

Store the most perishable items in the coldest part of your refrigerator
(usually the back or top shelf), so you can set the temperature slightly
higher. 

Twice a year ‹ more often if you have long-haired pets ‹ unplug your
refrigerator and vacuum the coils in the back or underneath. Dirt and dust
on the coils greatly reduces efficiency.

Allow hot foods to cool before putting them in the refrigerator. Make sure
you don't overcrowd shelves or block the circulation of air inside.

Wipe any moisture off containers before putting them in the refrigerator,
and keep foods in the refrigerator covered. Moisture will otherwise build up
rapidly and you'll use more energy to remove it.

Be sure your refrigerator door closes tightly and the gasket is in good
condition. Check it by closing the door on a piece of paper. If you can
easily pull the paper out when the door is closed, you need a new gasket. If
you have a magnetic gasket, put a flashlight inside pointed at various areas
of the gasket and close the door. If you can see light, you need a new
gasket. 

Laundry Room

In summer, run the dryer at night so its warmth isn't released during the
heat of the day. 

Clear the lint screen after each load for quick drying.

Check and clean your dryer exhaust vent periodically. Remove lint after each
load. 

If your clothes dryer has an automatic cycle, use it. Drying more than
needed wastes energy and wears out clothes.

Check the outside vent lid monthly to make sure it opens and closes freely.
If it doesn't close tightly, replace it with one that does to keep outside
air from leaking in..

Dry loads of clothing back to back, using the leftover heat. This reduces
overall drying time and lowers energy costs.

Wash full loads only.

Use the maximum washing time only for heavily soiled clothes. Washing longer
than necessary wastes energy and wears out clothes.

Vary the size of garments in a load so water can circulate freely.

Use warm or cold water for washing and always use cold water to rinse.

Living Room

Move furniture away from heating and cooling registers or radiators.
Blocking or restricting air flow makes heating and air-conditioning systems
work harder. 

Consider using solid-state dimmers with your incandescent lights. When you
finish using a reading or work light, you can dim it for general room
illumination. 

Choose light-colored, translucent lampshades. Many lampshades, while
decorative, can actually reduce light or send it somewhere you don't need
it. 

Install thermal shades or shutters on windows. They close tightly and are
one of the most effective ways to stop heat loss through your windows.

Water Heater

Lower the water temperature setting on your water heater. In an average
home, 120 degrees is sufficient.

Turn off your water heater when you'll be away from home for a vacation or
for any extended period.

Insulate your water heater if it's in an unconditioned space. You can buy an
inexpensive insulation kit at most home improvement stores ‹ or you can do
it yourself with backed roll insulation and duct tape. Gas water heaters
should be insulated carefully. Check the manufacturer's recommendations.

Insulate the first 3 to 6 feet of cold and hot water pipes near your water
heater. Insulating all your hot water pipes is only necessary where pipes
are located in a crawl space or attic. Keep foam insulation at least 6
inches from the vent of a gas water heater.

Turn your gas water heater control valve to "pilot" when you're away from
home for a week or more.

Drain sediment from the tank twice a year. A rumbling or crackling sound is
a sure sign of sediment build-up. If it hasn't been done regularly, you may
need to flush the tank. If you have a gas water heater, make sure to turn
off the gas valve beforehand. First, shut off incoming water. Drain water
from tank (if possible connect a hose so that the water can drain outside)...
Then allow a few gallons of cold water to refill the tank and drain again..
Repeat until drain water runs clear.
 

The following recommendations were taken in part from Alliance to Save
Energy: http://www.ase.org/content/article/detail/933
<http://www.ase.org/content/article/detail/933> ).
 
What can we do to become part of the solution?
Government at all levels, utility companies, business, and consumers are all
part of the problem and together can be part of the solution.

Smart Energy Practices

Getting professional service on existing air-conditioning systems and
cleaning or changing system air filters every month to make sure they run at
peak efficiency. A well-maintained cooling system will run more efficiently,
use less energy, and lower energy bills, so clean or replace AC filters
monthly or as needed. Also, keep both outdoor and indoor air conditioner
coils clean. Dirt build-up on the indoor coil is the single most common
cause of poor operating efficiency.

Reduce the cooling load by effectively shading east and west windows. Close
curtains during the day, and install awnings on south-facing windows.

During the cooling season, keep your house closed tight in the daytime to
keep unwanted heat and humidity out. If practical, open the windows at night
or ventilate the home with fans.
 
When possible, delay running heat-producing activities such as dish washing,
clothes washers and other electric appliances until the evening. Shifting
energy-intensive tasks such as laundry and dish washing to off-peak energy
demand hours to increase electricity reliability during heat waves; do full
loads when you run washers, dryers, and dishwashers; wash clothes in cold
water when possible; clean the lint filter in your dryer after every load.

Keep lamps or TVs away from the air conditioner thermostat. The heat they
generate will cause your air conditioner to run longer, running up bills
unnecessarily.

Avoid running a dehumidifier at the same time as the AC. The dehumidifier
will increase the cooling load and force the air conditioner to work harder..

Turn off your computer and monitor when you are done using them; activate
the ³sleep² feature so the machine powers down when on but not in use for a
while. When you leave a room, turn off the lights and all other energy-using
equipment.

Buying Energy Star room air conditioners and central air conditioning
systems, windows, and appliances (visit http://www.energystar.gov
<http://www.energystar.gov/>  for product information and store locators).

Plant shade trees or vines.

*********************

Energy-Efficiency Improvements

Using programmable thermostats to adjust temperature settings according to
daily and weekend patterns. Save up to 10 percent a year with a programmable
thermostat that automatically adjusts the temperature by 10 to 15 percent
for the hours that the home is unoccupied.

Plug energy leaks by caulking and weather stripping all seams, cracks and
openings to the outside.. You can save 10 percent or more on energy bills by
reducing air leaks.

Ceiling and other fans provide additional cooling and better circulation so
you can raise the thermostat and cut down on air conditioning costs.

Replace incandescent lightbulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs, which use
one-fourth the energy and last up to seven times longer. Replace halogen
torchiere fixtures with compact fluorescent torchieres that use 60-80
percent less energy, produce more light, and stay cooler.

Sufficient insulation can increase your comfort and reduce your cooling
costs up to 30 percent. Start with the attic‹which can reach temperatures of
115 degrees‹followed by exterior and basement walls, floors, and crawl
spaces. Insulate and seal attic air ducts, too. For more information, see
the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association¹s (NAIMA) consumer
web site http://www.simplyinsulate.com <http://www..simplyinsulate.com/> .

For outdoor lighting, consider combining energy-efficient light bulbs with
motion sensors to provide security while reducing energy use. Indoors, use
dimmers, timers, or occupancy/motion detectors or timers.

The Efficient Windows Collaborative (http://www.efficientwindows.org
<http://www.efficientwindows.org/> ) explains how high-performance Energy
Star windows can reduce average cooling costs from 15 to 35 percent in
Central and Southern climate zones. With efficient windows, homeowners can
invest in smaller, less expensive cooling systems while maintaining indoor
comfort.

Finance energy efficiency investments when refinancing your mortgage to take
advantage of low interest rates. The interest may be deductible, and your
monthly energy bills will be lower.

Cut utility bills by up to 30 percent with air conditioners, major
appliances, lighting, and electronics that have the Energy Star label‹the
government¹s symbol for energy efficiency.

Get the most energy-efficient air conditioner you can afford. Look for a
SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating) 12 or higher on central systems and
the Energy Star label on room units. Savings will show up on your next
electric bill.

Energy Justice Network
http://www.energyjustice.org <http://www.energyjustice.org/>

The Energy Justice Network understands that energy issues have profound
impacts on many other environmental issues from agriculture to waste. They
recognize that low-income communities and communities of color tend to be
the most seriously impacted by polluting energy systems, and they support a
comprehensive, environmental justice approach. Read more about Energy &
Environmental Justice at http://www.energyjustice.org/ej/ and at
http://www.energyjustice.net/solutions/#saveenergy
<http://www.energyjustice.net/solutions/#saveenergy> .
 


 

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.deltaforce.net/mailman/private/inc-list/attachments/20090115/77d4cdd4/attachment-0001.htm>