ENERGY EFFICIENCY GUIDE INSIDE: FALL How Does Your Home Compare? Too Dim? Too Bright? Get It Just Right! Why Choose LEDs? Which Program Is Right for Your Home? WINTER idahopower.com/save
Questions Customers Ask By Theresa Drake, Manager of Customer Relations and Energy Efficiency Many of you contact Idaho Power with questions about your bills, our services and how you can save energy in your home. The questions you ask are interesting and important. Here are answers to some questions that may be on your mind this time of year. Q: I m on a limited budget. What can I do to keep my winter heating bills down? A: These inexpensive options can help no matter how you heat your home: Seal windows and doors with caulk or weatherstripping to reduce leaks and drafts. Replace your most-used light bulbs with compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) or light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Install WaterSense high-efficiency showerheads. Set your thermostat as low as comfort and safety allow. Reverse ceiling fans so they blow warm air up toward the ceilings and down the walls. Close crawl space vents and, when not in use, fireplace dampers. Use your oven efficiently. Bake many items at once or one right after another. Wash full loads of laundry and dishes, and rinse in cold water. Q: What upgrades save the most in energy costs? A: Everyone can benefit from replacing inefficient light bulbs and showerheads. After that, each home is unique. Make a plan for your home. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, replacing refrigerators and clothes washers more than ten years old may be worthwhile. Sealing air leaks and adding attic insulation can be a good option for older homes. Replacing single pane or metalframed windows with new, efficient ones may pay off. If you want to save energy but need help creating a plan, I invite you to learn about our energy efficiency programs, including the Home Energy Audit program, at idahopower.com. While there, register for myaccount to get access to even more tools. Safety Tip Use caution with space heaters. They use a lot of electricity, can be a fire hazard and will increase your bill unless they allow you to reduce the temperature in a large portion of your home. We are mindful of the burden cold winters can place on family budgets and hope you will take advantage of the many resources we have available. 2
Finding Affordable Energy-Saving Products for Your Home Cover: Shane and India Humphreys are first- time home buyers who searched for the best energy efficient products for their new home. We decided to spend some money on a few things we thought would save us money in the long run, Shane explained. That included upgraded spray foam insu lation, ENERGY STAR appliances and LED lighting. Shane used online cost calculators to learn how much energy LEDs would use in their new home and how long it would take to pay off the difference between the cost of LEDs and incandescent light bulbs; it was only three years. He also learned LED lights last about 25 years compared to the incandescent lights at two to three years. Many people probably haven t even thought about how much en ergy their lights are using, Shane said. A lot of people still believe LEDs are not cost effective. It may not be the right decision for everybody, but for a lot of people, it s a good option and will save money in the long term, said Shane. New Lighting Options If you ve shopped for light bulbs lately, you know your options have changed. When considering which bulb is best for you, start by reading the Lighting Facts label on the package. B A C A. Lumens measure brightness. B. Light appearance is measured in degrees Kelvin (K). Lower numbers mean a warmer color. C. Watts measure energy used. Idaho Power partners with retailers to offer special pricing on a variety of energy efficient bulbs. Look for the Simple Steps, Smart Savings logo at a retailer near you. To learn about current promotions, visit idahopower.com/ changealight. India and Shane Humphreys Boise, ID 3
How Does Your Home Compare? Have you ever wondered how your home s energy use compares to other homes? Because there are so many variables, this can be a tough question to answer. Here are good ways to see how your home measures up. Building Codes Since 2002, Idaho has adopted energy codes on a three-year cycle. The first two cycles increased energy efficiency about five percent over the previous code. In 2009, code efficiency jumped by about 15 percent to where we are now. So if your home is 10 years old, it could be 20 percent less energy efficient than a new home. To increase your comfort and add value to your home, consider bringing your home up to the current standard. Did You Know? A recent survey 1 by Boise State University found that 88 percent of Idahoans believe an energy efficient home has a higher resale value. A 2012 California study 2 supports this, finding homes labeled as energy efficient sold for 9 percent more. 1 2013 Energy Code Homeowner Survey, www.idahoenergycode.com 2 The Value of Green Labels in the Caifornia Housing Market myaccount Idaho Power s online portal to your account gives you access to many resources. After you answer a few simple questions about your home (found on the How I Use Energy tab), you ll get instant feedback on how your electricity use compares to other homes of similar size and occupancy. You ll also see a chart showing where your electricity dollars may be going. Log on today! idahopower.com/ myaccount Annual Electricity Energy Use Uses Least Energy $2,324 My Home $3,065 Avg. Home Annual Electricity Cost Heating $1,229 Hot Water/Laundry $364 Cooling $231 Pool/Hot Tub $190 Lighting $135 Food Storage $65 Other $57 Cooking $53 Uses Most Energy 4
Too Dim? Too Bright? Get It Just Right! There used to be three basic choices of light bulbs 60, 75 or 100 watts. Now, there are many choices. Size and Shape Before you shop, look at the light fixture to get an idea of the size and shape bulb that will work best. If you like the current bulb, take it with you to the store to find a similar one. Spiral A-Shape Globe Reflector Candle Helpful Hint Be cautious about using different bulb colors in a single fixture or room. When multiple lights are on, the difference may be distracting. Watts (energy) Lumens (brightness) Incandescent CFL LED 150 w 2600 lm 32 35 w 25 28 w 100 w 1600 lm 23 26 w 16 20 w 75 w 1100 lm 18 22 w +13 w 60 w 800 lm 13 15 w 8 12.5 w 40 w 450 lm 9 11 w 6 9 w This chart shows the number of lumens produced by common incandescent bulbs. If you re looking to buy a bulb that will give you the amount of light you used to get from a 60-w bulb, you ll now look for 800 lumens. Brightness For years, people have chosen light bulbs by the watt, learning over time about how bright a typical 40-watt or 60-watt bulb is. But wattage only tells how much energy a bulb uses not how bright it is. With newer light bulbs designed to use less energy, wattage is no longer a reliable way to gauge a light bulb s brightness. That takes lumens. The higher the lumens, the brighter the bulb. Even if a package has watts (or a watt equivalent) listed on it, the brightness could vary. A bulb marked as a 60-watt equivalent could be anywhere between 750 and 850 lumens. Read the label and look at the lumens. Want a brighter bulb? Pick one with higher lumens. 5
Too Dim? Too Bright? Get It Just Right! CHOOSING THE RIGHT COLOR 2700K 3000K 3500K 4100K 5000K 6500K Color If you ve ever painted a room white, you know there are lots of shades of white. Just like paint, white light can vary from a warm reddish glow to a cool blue. Color is measured on the Kelvin (K) scale. Warm light, around 2700K, is similar to traditional incandescent light and is better for general lighting. Cool light, above 4100K, is brighter and provides more contrast better for reading or work areas. Special Features Read the label to make sure the bulb you buy works for your intended use. Not all bulbs work with dimmer switches, 3-way lamps, photocells, enclosed fixtures, recessed can lights or outside. When fitting multiple fixtures of the same type, such as recessed can lights, it may be worth buying just a few bulbs at first, to ensure you find the right one for your needs. 6
Layer Your Light Three types of lighting work together to light your home. They are ambient, task and accent lighting. Combining all three types (layering) creates a functional, beautifully lit room. Ambient lighting refers to general lighting. Ambient light include sunlight, overhead lighting and lamps. Using natural daylight from south-facing windows has the added bonus of providing winter warmth. Task lighting helps you perform specific tasks. A reading lamp at a desk or pendant lamps hanging over a kitchen island are examples.task lighting should be free of distracting glare but bright enough to prevent eyestrain. Accent lighting draws attention to a particular object. As a rule, it should be brighter than the ambient light to help draw attention to the area of interest. Helpful Hint Lighter paint colors and glossy paints reflect more light and increase brightness in a room without using energy. Why Choose LEDs? LEDs cost more upfront, but the benefits and long-term savings can pay off. BEST BETTER GOOD Energy Savings Expected Life Time to Full Brightness Mercury Content Upfront Cost Long-term Value LED > 75% > 25,000 HOURS LESS THAN 1 SECOND NONE $$$ HIGH CFL 75% 10,000 HOURS 1 SECOND TO 3 MINUTES LESS THAN 5 mg $$ MED-HIGH HALOGEN 25% 3,000 HOURS LESS THAN 1 SECOND NONE $$ LOW-MED TRADITIONAL 0% 1,000 HOURS LESS THAN 1 SECOND NONE $ LOW 7
Specialty Switches Make Saving Easy Tired of reminding people to turn off the lights? Let technology do some of the work for you. It can even help save energy while the lights are still on. Here are some options: Dimmer switches vary the light level and are easy to install. Make sure you choose a dimmable bulb that s compatible. Timers can be inexpensive and keep light on for a set amount of time. Electronic versions can be programmed and adjust to daylight. Photocells sense changes in outdoor light levels so exterior lights turn on at dusk and off at dawn. Motion sensors turn lights on instantly when motion is detected and off when it isn t. Newer models can gradually fade lights off. Occupancy sensors turn lights on when someone is in the room and turn the lights off when the room is empty. Vacancy switches require you to turn the lights on, but turn them off automatically if you forget. My Bulb Burned Out! CFLs and LEDs require additional considerations to ensure a long life. If a bulb burns out earlier than you expect, ask yourself these questions. Was it an ENERGY STAR certified bulb? ENERGY STAR bulbs must meet specific quality standards to earn the label. Was the bulb in an enclosed fixture? Light bulbs emit heat, warming the air around them. If a CFL is in a glass enclosure, a recessed can, or a lamp with a tight shade, hot air can affect the sensitive electronics. Look for a bulb rated for enclosed fixtures. Was the bulb compatible with the use? Not all bulbs are rated for outdoor use, or use with a dimmer or photocell. If the burned-out bulb was a CFL, be sure to dispose of it properly. Some communities have hazardous-waste collection programs. The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (IDEQ) has a recycling directory to help you find programs in your area. You can find it online at deq.idaho. gov/recycling. In Oregon, call your trash collector, city public works department or county landfill. Some retailers offer light bulb recycling as well. Safety Tip Attic insulation reduces air flow around ceiling fixtures, like some recessed cans. This can create a fire hazard or cause bulbs to burn out early. Be sure these fixtures are installed correctly and are Insulated Contact (IC) rated. 8
OUTDOOR LIGHTING: Stay Safe as It Gets Dark Earlier Outdoor lighting is a great way to help make your home safe and secure, especially as nights get longer. But outdoor lights use energy and are often left on for long periods. To stay safe and save energy, assess your lighting needs, limit the hours your lights are on and choose ENERGY STAR bulbs. Assess Your Lighting Needs Trim trees and shrubs to get rid of hiding places and reduce the need for extra lights. Evaluate dark areas around your home, garage or yard to decide where lights are needed. Select Dark Sky/neighbor-friendly lights. These direct light down where it is needed without lighting up the sky or shining in your neighbor s window. Make sure your house number is well lit so in an emergency, first responders can find your house quickly. Choose ENERGY STAR Bulbs Purchase ENERGY STAR bulbs. They save energy and meet stricter performance standards. Know your bulbs. Learn to look at the lumens rather than the watts. Lumens are the key to brightness; the more lumens the brighter the light. Use compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) or light emitting diodes (LEDs). These lights use up to 75 percent less energy and last longer than traditional bulbs. Read the label. Not all bulbs are rated for use outdoors or with specific sensors. Limit the Hours of Operation Use automatic controls to make turning the lights off easy. Motion sensors are triggered by movement and turn lights on for a limited time. Photocells sense light levels and turn the lights on at dusk and off at dawn. Some new fixtures come with built-in sensors or photocells. Did You Know? Light fixtures are rated for use with incandescent bulbs. Since CFLs and LEDs use just a fraction of the electricity, you won t exceed the safety threshold even if you choose a bulb with higher lumens. 9
Five Changes = INCREASED + MORE VALUE COMFORT To invest in your home s efficiency and make you more comfortable this winter, we suggest making five changes. Here are our top five suggestions: 1. Replace old light bulbs with more efficient CFL or LED bulbs. In many cases, you will save more money in one year than what you spent on the new bulbs. This can translate to a one-year return on investment (ROI) of over 100 percent. Plus, savings will continue over the life of the bulb (25+ years for some). Is your savings account earning you this much? 2. Seal air leaks. Reduce drafts and keep bugs out by sealing leaks with caulk, spray foam or weatherstripping a cheap fix that can have a big impact. 3. Set or program your thermostat. The U.S. Department of Energy suggests setting your thermostat to 68 in the winter and even lower while you re asleep or away. If you have a heat pump, limit overnight reductions to 2 to 3 degrees. Did You Know? Current building code specifies 50 percent of bulbs installed in new homes in Idaho, and 75 percent in Oregon, must be CFLs or LEDs. 4. Add insulation to your attic. This is usually the easiest and best place to add insulation. New homes in most of Idaho require an R-value of at least R-38. A contractor will check your insulation level and give you a bid for free. 5. Seal ducts. If your ducts are not sealed well, you may be paying to heat your attic or crawl space. A contractor can check your ducts and run an air leakage test. Did You Know? You can save as much as 3 percent on your heating bill for each degree you reduce your thermostat. When you take control of your energy use and invest in your home s efficiency, you can increase its value, reduce monthly energy use and have a more comfortable home to live in. 10
PROGRAMS To Help You Save Idaho Power offers energy efficiency programs and incentives for homeowners, businesses and irrigation customers. Find the latest information at idahopower.com/save. Which Program Is Right for Your Home? This chart shows the offers, rebates and discounts that may be available for your home. Get details at: idahopower.com/save Free COST WHAT S INCLUDED? ARE YOU ELIGIBLE? Reduced Price Money Back Windows Insulation Duct Sealing Weatherization Assistance for Qualified Customers * Weatherization Solutions * Energy House Calls * Home Energy Audit * Oregon Home Audit & Weatherization * Home Improvement * See ya later, refrigerator * Heating & Cooling Efficiency * Rebate Advantage Simple Steps / Lighting Air Sealing Appliances Lighting Heating & Cooling Showerheads Idaho Oregon Electric Heat Required Income Requirements Manufactured Homes Site-Built Homes Renters *May need landlord permission to participate. Program terms and conditions are subject to change. Some restrictions may apply. For current offerings, visit idahopower.com/save Printed on recycled paper idahopower.com/save