ten ways to save energy in 2011

Ten ways to save energy in 2011Energy resolutions for your home and wallet

January 20, 2011

With special support from

The Danville Library

Gayler Construction

Sustainable Danville Area – January 2011: Save Energy

Sustainable Danville Area: Introduction

Local community organization inspiring sustainable practices to support a healthy quality of life and strong local economy throughout our community.

www.SustainableDanville.com


Gayler Construction: Introduction

Local, family business for 50 years

Certified Green Builder since 2003 - including custom designs for residential and commercial clients

Chris is General Manager and a LEED certified Green Associate

Sustainable Danville Area’s Top Ten


Eliminate Phantom Energy

Watt meters: helpful in gauging the „phantom‟ or „vampire‟ power used by electronics in standby mode

Kill-A-Watt ($25) & WattsUp ($96)

Consumer Reports has confirmed readouts on these meters matched those from a calibrated watt meter in their labs.

Kill-A-Watt – Available for loan from the CC Library System

Smart Strips ($29): power strip automatically switches devices on/off when not in use to save energy

PG&E‟s SmartMeters: track real-time energy use online

PG&E offers free Energy Efficiency Workshops to all customers. Lots of topics, schedule available at www.pge.com


Water – Every Last Drop Counts

Mindful water use

Fix leaky faucets and toilets

Remember to turn off faucet when brushing your teeth

Time your showers or beat stress, take a bath

Use cold water and only wash full loads laundry

Run the dishwasher only when full

Use a broom to clean driveways and sidewalks

Water your lawn only when it needs it

Adjust sprinklers so they don‟t water driveways and sidewalks

Plant California-friendly trees and plants

Consider grey water systems to collect shower and laundry water for landscaping use


Water – Every Last Drop Counts

Maintain your water heater, consider replacing with energy efficient model

Choose energy efficient on-demand or solar units (30% tax credit until 2016)

Consider alternatives to running hot water when washing dishes

Soap all pots/pans, dishes before rinsing

Use a basin full of hot water verses running water

Install a pedal valve to control sink water (kitchen or bathroom)


Landscape for shade and windbreak

Plant for Summer Shade

Trees planted on the south-west side of house can cut air conditioning costs an estimated 30% compared to an un-shaded house

Trees, shrubs, ground covers and grass affect solar radiation more than structural devices, such as awnings by absorbing sun‟s heat while transpiring (release water vapor from leaves) cooling moisture into the air

Temperature under a tree can be 9ºF lower than an adjacent area -and up to 25ºF lower than air near a blacktop surface street

Plant for Winter Windbreak

Barriers to reduce & redirect cold winds and protect area from blowing dust, rain and soil erosion.

Generally a single or multiple row of trees, shrubs, perennial crops, tall grasses or fencing

Can reduce wind by 50% and winter heating by up to 25%


Purchase Energy Star Appliances

ENERGY STAR® is a voluntary labeling program designed by the U.S. government to identify and promote energy-efficient products:

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants caused by inefficient use of energy

Make it easy for consumers to source energy-efficient products… save money on energy bills without sacrificing performance, features and comfort.

• Refrigerator• Freezer• Dishwasher• Washer/Dryer• Microwave• Ranges & Ovens

• Water Heaters & Coolers• Air Cleaners & Purifiers• Dehumidifiers• Air Conditioners• Furnaces• Boilers• Heat Pumps

• Audio/Video• Battery Chargers• Computers• Cordless Phones• Displays/Televisions• Light Bulbs & Fixtures

www.energystar.gov


American homes consume six times

the energy of the world average.

• Replacing old appliances is one of the most

important things people can do to reduce GHG.

• Front-loading washing machines are much

more energy efficient than top-loading models

• ENERGY STAR refrigerators use 40% less

energy today than models did in 2001.

Tax Credits –

30% of the cost in 2009 & 2010 (<$1,500 total) for

energy-efficient improvements to existing homes for

new windows, doors, insulation, roofs, HVAC systems

and water heaters.

30% of the cost (no max) until 2016 for solar panels,

geothermal heat pumps, solar water heaters

Purchase Energy Star Appliances


Lights, Please

“Low-hanging fruit” for reducing energy consumption.

Lighting accounts for 22% of all electricity consumed nationwide

One-fifth of all energy used by commercial buildings is consumed by lighting

Lighting has evolved in response to unprecedented amount of new laws focused on energy efficiency & environmental protection:Light …Energy Efficient Light …Environmentally Conscious Energy Efficient Light


Three main technologies available today:

Incandescent: warm dimmable

light but fragile filaments and glass, lasts about 1000 hours, only converts 10% of energy used to produce light – so 90% is wasted as heat

Fluorescent: more energy efficient

but wastes 30% of energy as heat, ballasts consume energy when fixtures “off”, unpleasing buzz, delays & color, poor „dimmability‟, unpredictable life, relies on igniting mercury vapor within fragile glass…hazardous materials cannot go into garbage (but they do because lack of messaging & services)


LED (light emitting diode): digital device

that emits light, fits existing fixtures, exceptional color & quality, requires highly engineered thermal management to ensure longevity & performance.

Typically 50,000 to 60,000 hours (50 times longer life)

More Energy Efficient – saves up to 80%

Recyclable, no mercury or lead or fragile glass

Smooth phased „dimmability‟ & full brightness without delays

High Cycling Capacity –never loses life with frequent on/off‟s

Directional, Versatile & Scalable –light goes where it is needed


Lights, Please

Wild-Wild-West of LED Lighting – Buyer Beware

• Very crowded, unregulated product category today

• Lots of products being rushed to market… unreliable, poor light quality

• Causing consumers to lose confidence in the technology

LED lighting is not hype, just not ready for retail market yet

• Commercial-grade products delivering outstanding performance & ROIs

• Large buildings able to capitalize most on the energy savings today (volume)

• Once demand by facilities drives production up, pricing will fall to make

advanced features and quality products cost effective for general consumers

(within next 2 years)


Paradigm Shifts in Lighting

• Refer to light output rather than watts to describe the intensity of a bulb

• Integrated system (like heating & cooling); phasing out bulb + fixture

• “Cost of ownership” vs. initial cost

• Hopefully leading away from “product obsolescence”

• Collective buying programs within school districts, HOAs, Chambers of Commerce to help residents & small businesses benefit from reliable LED products today


Stricter building codes raising energy efficiency standards for residential & nonresidential buildings, with specific requirements for lighting (i.e. CA Title 24)

Energy Independence & Security Act of 2007: requires general-purpose light bulbs that produce 310–2600 lumens of light be 30% more energy efficient by 2012 to 2014. Starting with 100-watt bulbs in January 2012 and end with 40-watt bulbs in January 2014.

Point-based green building programs: LEED, HERS, HOME STAR®, CHPS


Program your thermostat

Using a programmable thermostat in your home is one of the easiest ways to save energy, money and help fight global warming.

• Average household spends more than $2,200/year on energy bills - nearly half goes to heating & cooling.

• Homeowners can save about $180/year by properly setting programmable thermostats & maintaining those settings.


Program your thermostat


You can achieve significant savings by sticking with these default settings (intended to deliver savings without sacrificing comfort)…

… or adjust them as appropriate for your household. But keep in mind the number one failure of these devices is manual overrides

SETPOINT TEMPERATURE

PROGRAM TIME (HEATING) (COOLING)

Wake 6 AM ≤ 70º F ≥ 78º F

Day 8 AM Setback at least 8º F Setup at least 7º F

Evening 6 PM ≤ 70º F ≥ 78º F

Sleep 10 PM Setback at least 8º F Setup at least 7º F


Getting the most out of your programmable thermostat

• Keep temp set at energy savings set-points for long periods (at least 8 hours)

• You use more energy (and spend more money) by consistently overriding the pre-programmed settings; overrides are cancelled automatically at next program start.

• Units have permanent/vacation & temporary hold features. Avoid permanent hold feature to manage day-to-day temperature settings. You'll waste energy & money if “hold” is at a comfort setting while you're away.

• Cranking your unit up to 90º or down to 40º will not heat or cool your house any faster. Most thermostats begin to heat or cool at set time, to reach set point temperatures sometime thereafter. (Adaptive recovery units constantly calculate amount of time required to heat or cool house.)

• Multiple HVAC zones? Customize programming to maximize comfort, convenience & energy savings throughout house.

• Don‟t forget to change batteries if your thermostat is not hard-wired.


Heat and Cool Efficiently

Maintain your equipment

Change your filter at least two times per year – 4 times per year is best

Consider using electrostatic filters which last 12-15 years

Need to be washed every two months

Rated Allergy Gold

“Whistling could be an issue

Have a Professional tune up your HVAC system each Spring and Fall



Ducts that move air from forced heating/cooling systems are often energy wasters – typically up to 20% can be lost to leaks

Seal air leaks using mastic sealant or metal tape – do not use duct tape

Make sure connections at vents and registers are sealed where they meet floors, walls and ceiling – common locations for leaks



Energy Star recommends considering a change to your system if:

Some rooms are too hot or cold, have humidity problems or excessive dust.

Your equipment needs frequent repairs and your energy bills are going up.

Your heating and cooling equipment is more than 10 years old. Age & condition of your heating and cooling equipment may have caused it to become less efficient. Consider replacing it with newer, more efficient equipment.

You used EPA‟s ENERGY STAR Home Energy Yardstick (www.energystar.gov/yardstick) and your score is below 5 –which means you‟re paying for more energy than most Americans.


Purchase ENERGY STAR qualified gas furnaces:

have annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) ratings of 85% and 90% - or greater, making them up to 15% more efficient than standard models.

have highly efficient blower motors.

Purchase ENERGY STAR qualified central air conditioners:

have higher seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) and energy efficiency ratio (EER) ratings, making them about 14% more efficient than standard models.

The only way to ensure that your new air conditioner performs at its rated efficiency is to replace your heating system at the same time. It‟s especially recommended if your furnace is over 15 years old.



Insulate

Insulation Energy Loss Areas of Concern:

55% Attic

35% Exterior Walls

5% Outlets and around windows

5% Subfloor with crawl space

To get the biggest savings, the easiest place to add insulation is the attic.

Type of Insulation to use:

Fiberglass, recycled glass, is the safest and most cost effective way to insulate your home. 40% produced in US with remaining usually from Canada

Cellulose (70% recycled newspaper) contains fire-retardant/control for vermin and mold chemicals

Blue jean material is heavy & and hard to fit properly around pipes and electrical (hard to cut).


To get the biggest savings, the easiest place to add insulation is the attic.

Recommended levels of insulation for your attic

Existing 3-4 inches of insulation: R25 - R38

Floor: R19 – R25

If you are removing siding from a wood-frame wall without insulation:

Add R5 insulation wall sheathing beneath new siding

Insulate


Seal the air

Seal the "envelope“ of your home - outer walls, ceiling, windows, doors, and floors

Many drafts are easy to feel – leaky windows & doors. Seal with caulk, spray foam, or weather stripping

Holes hidden in attics, basements, & crawlspaces are usually bigger energy problems.

Fireplaces without doors are one of the biggest heat loss & cold gain areas in your home. Add doors!

After any home sealing project, have a heating & cooling technician check to make sure that your combustion appliances (furnace, water heater, and dryer) are venting properly.


Replace old windows and doors

Every Choice Counts

www.SustainableDanville.com

ten ways to save energy in 2011

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