Energy Savers & Wasters

by Joel Barkman

With the holidays upon us and as the cold of winter settles in we often reflect on the year gone by. The ailing economy is still forefront in the news and in our lives. More likely than not we have had to make sacrifices of some sort during the course of what proved to be a very long year for most.

For many of us the economic climate has urged us to look for ways to cut our living expenses - in particular, our homes' energy consumption.

By now you are aware of the available federal and state tax credits for energy efficient home improvement products. Just this week, President Obama in a speech Tuesday morning at an area Home Depot, called on Congress to extend energy-efficiency tax credits for home owners as part of an $8 billion effort to reduce energy use.

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) applauds the effort and I continue to encourage each of you to support the local economy by taking advantage of the energy tax credits that are still available.

Saving money on your utility bills does not have to be a long, drawn-out project. Some of the best ways to save are also very simple. As a building professional and as a homeowner alike, I would like to share my top 10 list of energy wasters and savers.

Compact Fluorescent Lighting (CFL)

One of the easiest things you can do is to change your light bulbs. CFLs are four times more efficient (using 50 to 80 percent less energy) and last up to 10 times longer than typical incandescent bulbs.

Installing motion sensors or timers on outdoor lights, instead of leaving the lights on during nighttime hours, can also help to reduce the electricity bill.

Programmable Thermostats

Install a programmable thermostat to set your heating and cooling equipment to automatically turn on or off to match your schedule. These units typically offer savings of 10 to 15 percent. However, please consult a professional as not all programmable thermostats are created equal.

Fans

Fans and dehumidifiers use less energy than air conditioners and can help to make the home comfortable during the warm months.

Winterizing

Look for cracks and openings in the house that are letting cold air in during the winter and hot air in during the summer. Many leaks can be sealed with caulking and weather-stripping, which can greatly improve the energy efficiency of your home.

Tree Conservation

Properly placed trees and shrubs help to reduce your utility bills. Tree preservation reduces landscaping and future energy costs and helps provide winter wind breaks or summer shade. Deciduous trees planted on the west and south sides of your home help to keep your house shaded during the day's peak heating times.

ENERGY STARr Appliances

When buying appliances this Christmas, choose energy-efficient models. Federal ENERGY STAR-rated appliances are designed to use 10-50 percent less energy and water than standard appliances and save an average of 30 percent over standard models.

Induction Cooktops

Rather than heating the cooking surfaces, the magnetic induction process turns the pot into the heating element. Food is heated more quickly and to precise temperatures. Cooking with magnetic induction is 25-35 percent more efficient than cooking with electric and open-flamed gas.

High-Efficiency Refrigerators

New high-efficiency refrigerators exceed the federal energy requirements and can save consumers a substantial amount of money. Replacing a ten-year-old refrigerator with a new, high-efficiency refrigerator can save a homeowner $100 in average annual energy costs.

Front-loading clothes washers

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, front-loading washing machines can use about 40 percent less water and 50 percent less energy than conventional washers, cause less wear and tear on clothes, and can accommodate large items that won't fit in a top-loader. The estimated annual utility bill savings for a family of four is about $75 to $100.

Insulation

You may consider adding insulation to your basement or attic, particularly if these areas are used as a bedroom or family room. The great thing about insulation is that it works in both hot and cold weather.

Energy-Efficient or Tankless Water Heater

Water heating typically accounts for 10-25 percent of the energy used in the home. Tankless water heaters provide hot water on demand at a preset temperature rather than storing it, which reduces or eliminates standby losses - with 10-20 percent water heating savings for electric models. Gas savings may be about 20-40 percent ($50-$100/yr).

There are numerous other ways homeowners can reduce the amount of energy they use to heat water: turn down the water heater's thermostat setting to 115 to 120 degrees F; buy an energy-efficient water heater; install non-aerating, low-flow faucets and showerheads; use the "warm" water setting on your clothes washer instead of the "hot" water setting; and set your dishwasher to "energy saver" or "water saver."

Right-Sized Equipment

When it's time to replace your home's heating, cooling system, selecting more efficient, correctly sized heating and cooling equipment saves money. Remember that bigger does not always mean better.

If you find that your equipment doesn't need to be replaced, give it a tune-up and take care of any minor repairs or leaks to improve efficiency, and make sure your pipes and ducts are insulated.

High Performance Windows

Consider replacing single-pane windows. Double-pane windows with high performance glass (e.g., low emissivity or "low-e" glass) that are gas-filled perform much better and help reduce heat loss in the winter and heat gain in summer.

When it comes to saving money, expert advice can also save you time - "Just Ask a Builder."

I would like to remind each and every one of you to have a safe and merry Christmas!

As always e-mail your questions or comments to joel@goldenrulebuilders.com or write to "Ask a Builder" at P.O. box 294, Catlett, VA 20119.

Barkman is president of the Fauquier Chapter of The Northern Virginia Building Industry Association.

Read Joel's column weekly in the