Americans spend more than $160 billion a year to heat, cool, light and live in their homes. This amount continues to rise each year. It takes 21% of the energy we use as a nation each year to make our homes comfortable. We consume a significant amount of electricity and natural gas, and contribute about 17 percent of our national emissions of greenhouse gases. Homes are being built to be more energy efficient today than they were 30 years ago but there is still more that can be done to make our homes more energy efficient. . Many households could save 20-30% on their household energy bills through cost-effective household improvements such as buying more energy-efficient products and appliances, sealing air and duct leaks, and adding insulation.
The US Department of Energy, Department of Housing and Urban Development, and Environmental Protection Agency are working together and in partnership with leading organizations across the country including product manufacturers, retailers, home contractors and home re-modelers, home builders, utilities, states, financial organizations, and educational institutions, among others. They are attempting to build the awareness of Energy Star products, develop new energy efficient services for homeowners, and deliver energy efficient savings to low income and subsidized housing. These organizations are investing in research to help address energy shortages and rising natural gas prices. They are hoping this will make housing more affordable.
Getting the House Ready for Winter
One of the highest seasons for energy usage is fast approaching. More energy is used in the winter months keeping houses warm. Whether you live in your home for the entire winter or go to warmer climates for the cold winter months, your house needs to be winterized. Planning ahead and getting a jump on the winterizing chores will help protect your property and save you dollars in heating costs.
Seal Leaks around Doors and Windows
• Add or replace worn weather-stripping around doors and windows.
• Caulk gaps where necessary.
• Replace worn door stops at the bottom of doors.
• If you have them, install storm doors and windows. Don't forget to winterize basement windows.
• Replace old windows with energy efficient windows.
Seal Other Leaks
• Use caulking and weather-stripping around entry points for all pipes and ducts that travel through an exterior wall.
• Install insulating kits behind electrical plugs that are on a wall with an exterior side.
Heating System Checks
• Have a heating professional do a routine-check before cold weather arrives.
• Vacuum the vents and other heating components.
• If it has one, replace the furnace filter. Make future replacements as needed or directed by your furnace manufacturer.
• Consider installing a setback thermostat. It regulates the temperature, allowing the home to be cooler when you are away or asleep.
• Fill oil or propane tanks.
Check the Fireplace
• Have the chimney inspected and cleaned once a year. Your safety is worth the time and expense.
• Close the fireplace damper when not in use. Check the damper to make sure that it closes tightly to keep cold air out when the fireplace is not in use. Dampers may rust and deteriorate over time and become less effective.
• Take time to check the chimney to make sure it is clear of leaves and nests built by birds, squirrels, or any other creatures.
Check the Roof
• Replace loose shingles.
• Make sure the flashing around the chimney or vent pipes is watertight.
• Check the bricks and mortar.
• Install a screen at the top of the chimney to keep leaves and other items out.
• Clean drain gutters and point downspouts away from the house.
• Trim tree limbs that are hanging over or touching the roof.
Winterize the Plumbing
• Take care of known issues with pipes that freeze. Heat tape can be used to keep them warm during extremely cold weather.
• Learn how to turn off water at its source so that you can stop leaks immediately if they start.
• Drain water from outdoor faucets when you think a hard freeze is coming.
Winterizing Outdoor Items
• Give decks an additional coat of sealer.
• Check the foundation and siding for cracks or gaps. Repair as necessary.
• Drain garden hoses, roll them up, and store them inside.
• Close and cover the swimming pool.
• Prune shrubbery and add mulch to perennial flower beds.
• Cover outdoor furniture or store it inside.
Collect Emergency Supplies
• Candles and matches or a small butane lighter.
• Flashlight and batteries.
• Fill propane tank or buy charcoal for outdoor grills.
• Battery operated radio or weather radio. Buy extra batteries.
• Snow blower, shovels, and/or chemicals to melt snow.
• Containers of bottled water. Non perishable food to last a few days. Be sure you have a hand operated can opener.
• Paper plates and plastic eating utensils. Paper towels.
• Extra firewood. Fuel for your generator. Kerosene and kerosene heater (use with carbon monoxide monitoring strips).
Inspect Your Insulation
• Since warm air rises, the single most effective way to save on heating is to have adequate attic insulation. If you don't know how to tell, look for your ceiling joists. If you can see them, you need more insulation.
Keep your Hot Water Hot
• On an average, it takes 14 percent of your overall utility bill to provide hot water. Savings can be realized by wrapping a water heater blanket around your water heater, insulating your water pipes and considering the installation of a timer on all electric water heaters.
Interior decorator Sharon Hanby-Robie shows quick ways to winterize a home such as cutting window drafts with quilts, foam or shrink-wrap.
• Change from cooler colors in your bedroom to warmer colors in winter. It gives the room a warmer feel.
• Use a quilt as a wall hanging or to hang over a patio door because it provides insulation for both.
• To insulate large windows, cut insulation foam to sizes slightly larger than your window. At night put the pieces in the window to keep cold air out and remove them in the morning to let the sunshine in. (Egg crate foam works well, too.)
• To insulate a basement window, line its perimeter with double-stick tape. Leave a little room at the top, stretch a piece of shrink wrap--cut about one inch wider than the window--across, securing it to the tape. Fill the window with white packing peanuts--white peanuts will reflect light, so it won't be blocked completely. Use a blow dryer to heat the shrink-wrap, causing it to contract and secure the insulating peanuts.
• To insulate a drafty attic door, staple a sheet of insulation foam to the back of it.
• Turn the direction of heating vents from up to down because hot air always rises.
Energy efficiency is important all year round
Want to find out the best way to make your home energy efficient year round? A visit to the Home Energy Saver website at http://hes.lbl.gov/ will give you a chance to fill out a short survey. Follow the link on the first page under calculator. By answering questions about your home and the type of heating and cooling equipment you have, you will be given a list of ways to make your own home more efficient. This is based on your own area of the country by using your zip code. It will also give you an estimate of the average amount spent on energy for other homes in your area.
Another useful site is The Energy Guide: http://www.energyguide.com/. On this website you can look up information on your utilities, buy energy efficient products, analyze your energy use, find energy efficient contractors and suppliers, learn to choose green, learn about energy and also find more ways to save on energy. The site also offers links for energy savings rebates.
Programs to help improve energy are available from state programs and utility companies
Many states and utitlity companies offer programs and websites to help you conserve energy. Check your local state by doing a search on the internet or contacting your local state government energy councils.
The New Jersey Clean Energy Program
This statewide clean energy initiative, administered by the NJ Board of Public Utilities, provides information and financial incentives to help New Jersey residents, business and communities reduce their energy use, lower costs and protect the environment. Visit this website at http://www.njcleanenergy.com/ Many other states run similar programs.
Georgia Power
Georgia Power offers a downloadable energy guide at
http://www.southernco.com/gapower/residential/energy_eff_guide.pdf This requires Adobe Reader to view the energy guide. They also offer a free energy audit and an energy calculator.
New York Energy $mart
This is a partnership between the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and the Public Service Commission (PSC) This program participates in the Energy Star program and the website is full of excellent information. You can visit the website at http://www.getenergysmart.org/GES.portal
California Energy Commission
This website includes a Consumer Energy center, energy facts, efficiency rebates,and appliance standards
Visit the website at http://www.energy.ca.gov/
Energy Conservation begins with you
No matter where you are it is important to make your home more energy efficient for yourself and our future generations. We need to conserve energy so that it will be there in the future. Saving energy just makes sense. Not only will you be helping to conserve energy by following energy saving tips and using energy efficient appliances and heating and cooling but you will also save money too.
Web Links
Winterizing May Create Unhealthy Living Environment: http://allergies.about.com/cs/winterallergie1/a/blalawinterize.htm
Energy Savers: http://www.energysavers.gov
Energy Star: http://www.energystar.gov/
American Council for Energy Efficiency Economy: http://www.aceee.org/