Home Energy Guide State of Possibilities
Contents Introduction....1 Meet Average Jane.... 2 Home Energy Matters.... 4 Where to Start?.... 6 The Little Things.... 8 Seal Leaks.... 10 Insulate Well.... 12 Work with Windows.... 14 Stay Toasty... 16 Keep Cool.... 18 In Hot Water... 20 Lessen the Lighting Load.... 22 Manage Plug Loads.... 24 Consider the Sun.... 26 Drive Electric.... 28 In Sum... 30 Resources.... 32
Introduction Your Energy Colorado is the name for Colorado State University Extension s energy programs and resources. While historically known for providing Coloradans with research-based information and resources on agriculture, natural resources, horticulture, and other topics, CSU Extension now also engages communities on energy. The mission of Your Energy Colorado is to facilitate sustainable energy decisions. As the name infers, we put the power to determine Colorado s energy future in your hands. yourenergy.colostate.edu 1Introduction
Meet Average Jane Average Jane represents the average Coloradan. AJ lives in an average home, uses an average amount of energy, and even thinks about energy as much as an average person. In this guide, we re going to walk you through ideas to improve your home energy performance as if you were AJ herself. Hi, Hi, Iʻm I m Average Jane, Jane, but but you you can can call call me me AJ. AJ. Last year, I I spent $1,550 on energy expenses even even though I I donʻt don t completely understand everything thatʻs that s in my energy bills. You You can can usually usually find fi me nd me out out on on the the trails trails with with my dog, my dog, Pepe, Pepe, not inside not inside using using energy. energy. Kids: Can you find AJ s dog Pepe on each page? 2
Average Jane s Annual Energy Use 19% Water Heating 1% Cooling* Meet Average Jane 26% Appliances, electronics, and lighting 54% Heating * Cooling is a small percentage since not all Coloradans have active cooling systems. Households with air conditioning spend a greater percentage of energy on cooling. 3
450* of these wouldn t be needed... Home Energy Matters Homes use 22% of all energy used in the United States. If every household reduced its energy use by 30%, we could save 22 quadrillion BTUs of energy. This equals the amount of electricity created by 450 power plants. 4
... if Americans used 30% less energy in these. Home Energy Matters * Technically, 22 quadrillion BTUs is the same amount of energy generated by 444, 500-megawatt power plants running at full capacity year-round. 5
Where to Start? Average Jane can go a couple of ways when it comes to making a dent in her energy use. She can take a methodical, whole-house approach to energy efficiency. In this approach, she would get an energy audit to identify energy hogs and make strategic energy investments. (Audits are often provided or subsidized by utilities.) Alternatively, AJ could take the opportunistic approach of replacing energy users at the ends of their lives with more efficient versions and picking off lowhanging fruit as resources allow. 6
WHOLE HOUSE APPROACH House as-system Orderly/strategic Maximize long-term savings Energy audit important High investment, high reward OPPORTUNISTIC APPROACH Replace energy equipment as it fails Opportunistic Emphasize short-term savings Audit still beneficial Moderate investment, moderate reward 7Where to Start?
Adjust or program your thermostat for energy savings while you are sleeping or when no one is home. 72 F The Little Things Without spending a dime, Average Jane could do some pretty simple things to conserve energy it s really a matter of changing one s habits. Wash clothes in cold water. 8 Th Highly Effi
Turn power strips off or use smart strips that will stop phantom loads automatically. Use only what is needed. Manage windows and window treatments for the season. The Little Things Run your dishwasher only when full and air dry dishes. Set your water heater to 120 F and test at the faucet closest to the heater. e 7 Habits of cient Households 9
Seal Leaks OK now we re getting serious. Thoroughly sealing air leaks, especially in attics and crawlspaces, can be the start of significant energy savings. Average Jane could benefit from taking an incense stick around potentially leaky parts of her home on a windy day to find cracks and gaps. But she could also get a home energy audit with blower door and IR (infrared) camera assessments to spot leaks in places she might not have thought to even look. Caulk or spray foam can seal plumbing penetrations and gaps around doors and windows. Weatherstripping can be used around doors and windows. Air tight recessed can lights that are rated for insulation contact, duct mastic on ductwork joints, and chimney balloons in fireplaces can also be used to seal leaks. Air Leaks in AJ s Home 10% windows 11% doors 10
31% ceilings, floors, attics Seal Leaks 14% fireplaces 2% electrical outlets 17% plumbing, electrical, HVAC penetrations 15% ductwork 11
Insulate Well Insulation used to seem so straightforward, but now choices abound and we ve learned a lot about what works and what doesn t. How does Average Jane know whether she needs more insulation? For attics and crawlspaces, where there s usually a good bang-forthe-buck (especially in homes heated by electricity or propane), a quick peek and measurement will suffice. If AJ was prepared to invest in wall insulation it takes a little more digging or a good contractor to assess the situation. What You See Loose pink, yellow, or white fibers Gray, newspaperlike fibers Dense gray white, or speckled fibers Pink, yellow, or white blankets/rolls White rigid foam board What It Probably Is Loosefill fiberglass Loosefill cellulose Mineral wool Fiberglass batt Expanded polystyrene board Pink or blue rigid foam board/spray Extruded polystyrene 12 Yellow or white rigid foam board/spray Polyurethane board or spray
R-Value per Inch 2.5 3.7 Space Recommended Minimum R-Value Insulate Well 3.1 3.2 4.0-4.5 5.0-5.5 Attic 49 Wall 18 Floor 25 Crawlspace 19 Basement 11 6.0-7.5 Note: R-value is resistance to heat flow. The higher the number, the greater the insulating power. 13
Work with Windows There s a lot Average Jane could do to make her windows more efficient other than replacing them. Replacing windows for energy savings alone is not usually cost-effective unless they re single-paned (windows with a single piece of glass). Even then, storm windows can be a good option. AJ might try these simpler strategies to reduce heat lost or gained through her windows: For windows getting direct sun, use window treatments to let sun in during the winter and keep it out during the summer. Cellular shades (shown) can be especially effective at keeping heat in or out of a space. Open windows on cool summer mornings and evenings, but shut them during hot days. Inexpensive plastic film (and storm windows) can add insulation value to a window that s closed for extended periods. 14
Caulk around window frames as needed. Work with Windows Weatherstrip around window edges and inside frames as needed. 15
16 Stay Toasty Since Average Jane spends most of her energy on heating, she might think that replacing her heating system with a more efficient one would be the best thing she can do to cut her energy use. Actually, if AJ air sealed and insulated her home before replacing her space heater, she can have an even bigger impact on her energy consumption and can purchase a smaller, less expensive unit. Natural Gas or Propane Heating Systems... Can vary widely in efficiency. Replacing an old, 70% efficient furnace or boiler with a new, 95% efficient unit would save AJ $130 each year. (Find your furnace's furnaces efficiency from the yellow Energy Guide label or divide 'output' BTUs by 'input' BTUs as listed on the nameplate.) Require maintenance to run well. Replace your furnace filter every 1-3 months during the heating season.
Stay Toasty Electric Heating Systems... Avoid combustion gases in your home. Can be extremely efficient if using a ground- or air-source heat pump p. Electric heat pumps can also provide cooling. Electric resistance heat can be expensive compared to natural gas or even propane. Can be powered with clean energy. 17
Keep Cool Homes with air conditioners, swamp coolers, and heat pumps can spend major energy dollars on cooling. Air sealing, insulation, use of cellular shades, good window management, and deciduous trees on the south, east, and west of a home can prevent the need for an active cooling system altogether. And ceiling or portable room fans can make Average Jane feel up to 4 degrees cooler. Electric heat pumps can both cool and heat one or more rooms, and ductwork isn t required. 18
If you want to invest in an active cooling system: Whole house fans are the most efficient option. Evaporative (swamp) coolers are more efficient than air conditioners but use more water and require more maintenance. Electric heat pumps can provide both cooling and heating for one or more rooms, and ductwork isn t required. High efficiency units can be especially valuable if your utility charges more for high summer electricity use. Keep Cool 19
Use low-flow showerheads (less than 2.5 gallons per minute). In Hot Water There are so many ways Average Jane can conserve hot water. Low- and nocost options abound beyond simply replacing the water heater itself. Wash clothes in cold water. Reduce water heater temperature until hot water at the nearest faucet is 120 F. 20
In Hot Water Use 1 gallon per minute faucet aerators on sinks that aren t usually filled. Only run the dishwasher when full. Insulate hot water pipes. Wrap water heaters that are hot to the touch with an insulating jacket. 21
Lessen the Lighting Load Average Jane has some incandescent light bulbs in her house. These old beauties put out nice light and are non-toxic, but they sure do use a lot of energy. Halogen incandescents are still available, as are compact fluorescents, but without a doubt the quickest way toward energy savings is spelled L-E-D. LEDs (light emitting diodes) 22
Lessen the Lighting Load Are available in a wide variety of colors, styles, and brightness levels Use less than one-quarter of the energy used by equivalent halogens Come in dimmable varieties Do NOT contain mercury Can last 25x as long as halogens and over 2x as long as compact fluorescents (CFLs) 23
Manage Plug Loads Appliances and electronics make up a rapidly growing share of Average Jane s electricity bill. While purchasing products with the Energy Star and Most Efficient labels when shopping for new products will certainly save energy, there are also lots of things AJ can do in the meantime. 72 F Set fridge to 36-40 F. Set freezer Wash to 0 F. clothes in cold water. 24
Avoid keeping cell phone chargers plugged in when not in use. Run your dishwasher only when full and air dry dishes. Air dry clothes on a clothesline, and optionally finish them in the clothes dryer. Turn power strips off or use smart strips that will stop phantom loads automatically. Manage Plug Loads Set computer monitors to an energy-saving mode that will put them to sleep after no more than 15 minutes of inactivity. 25
26 Consider the Sun Average Jane loves soaking in the sun on long walks with her dog Pepe. She can also let direct sunlight in during winter and keep it out during summer to regulate her home s temperature. Solar hot air collectors (black boxes with glass on one side and ducts that connect to the house) can heat a room effectively during the day when properly installed. Solar hot water systems can offset much of a conventional hot water heater s energy use (although they re not always cost-effective). And of course, there are options galore when it comes to solar photovoltaics (PV). AT HOME: Unshaded, south-facing roofs or flat land are the best sites for hosting solar. Solar can often be purchased or leased with little upfront cost. Leases typically include maintenance and insurance provided by the solar leasing company.
Your Garden Share Consider the Sun COMMUNITY SOLAR GARDEN: A solar garden is a central location that hosts panels owned by different people. Purchasing or subscribing to a garden share lets you offset electricity used at your home. Solar gardens may be suitable for households without good roof space or available land. Not all electric utilities have shares of solar gardens available. 27
Electric vehicles come in all-electric and plug-in gasoline hybrid models. Drive Electric Average Jane has never been one for trends (see her penchant for sweat pants), but she is intrigued by electric vehicles. She s even heard visionaries talk of coupling solar PV, batteries, and electric vehicles to power a lean, clean, new electric grid. Many electric vehicles qualify for a $7,500 federal tax credit. The state of Colorado offers an instant rebate of $5,000 on electric vehicle purchases. Some EVs are able to go hundreds of miles on a single charge. The network of formal EV charging stations is rapidly spreading across the state and country. 28
29 Drive Electric
In Sum Whew! Average Jane has a lot to think about, and not a lot of free time on her hands. So what is she to do? If she can afford it, a home energy audit is a valuable first step that will spell out all of her energy inefficiencies and what to do about them. Then she can pick off projects as her time and resources allow. Or, AJ can get started on any of the simple ideas listed in this guide. Home Energy Audit Report 30
In Sum When you think about home energy: What are your interests and concerns? Can you pick one or two things to act on now? Do you need more information? (Hint: see next page!) 31
Resources As the umbrella for all of CSU Extension s energy programs and resources, Your Energy Colorado has a lot to offer households, businesses, agriculture, local governments, and schools. Energy assessments Consultations Presentations Fact sheets Online energy calculators K-12 curricula Newsletter And more On the web: yourenergy.colostate.edu On Facebook: facebook.com/yourenergycolorado Contact us: yourenergy@colostate.edu 32
Resources
yourenergy.colostate.edu The information contained herein is provided as a public service with the understanding that Colorado State University makes no warranties, either expressed or implied, concerning the accuracy, completeness, reliability, or suitability of the information. Nor does Colorado State University warrant that the use of this information is free of any claims of copyright infringement. Extension programs are available to all without discrimination. May 2017