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Energysavers - Gov: Tips On Saving Money & Energy at Home
Energysavers - Gov: Tips On Saving Money & Energy at Home
1
EnergySavers Tips for Renters
and Property Owners
Renters
You can reduce your utility bills
by following the tips in the Lighting,
Heating and Cooling (if you control
the thermostat), Appliances, Home
Office and Home Electronics,
Windows, and Transportation
sections. Encourage your landlord
to follow these tips as well. They’ll
Right in your own home, you have save energy and money, improving
the power to save money and energy. your comfort and lowering your
Saving energy reduces our nation’s utility bills even more.
overall demand for resources needed
Property Owners
to make energy, and increasing Nearly all of the information in
your energy efficiency is like adding this guide applies to rental units.
another clean energy source to our The chapter on Your Home’s Energy
Use focuses on air leaks, insulation,
electric power grid.
heating and cooling, roofing, land-
This guide shows you how easy it is scaping, water heating, windows,
appliances, and renewable energy.
to cut your energy use at home and
also on the road. The easy, practical
solutions for saving energy include Find even more information about
tips you can use today—from the saving money and energy at home
roof and landscaping to appliances by visiting energysavers.gov.
and lights. They are good for your To learn more about U.S. Department
wallet and for the environment—and of Energy (DOE) programs in energy
actions that you take help reduce our efficiency and renewable energy,
national needs to produce or import visit the Office of Energy Efficiency
more energy, thereby improving our and Renewable Energy website at
eere.energy.gov.
energy security.
2
Save Money and Energy Today
3
Your Home’s Energy Use
A
home energy assessment
(sometimes referred to as an
energy audit) will show what parts of
To determine the insulation R-values
in different parts of your home,
visit the Air Leaks and Insulation
your house use the most energy and section of energysavers.gov.
suggest the best ways to cut energy • Check for air leaks around your
costs. You can conduct a simple home walls, ceilings, windows, doors,
energy assessment by doing it yourself light and plumbing fixtures,
(DIY) or, for a more detailed assessment, switches, and electrical outlets.
contact your local utility or an energy • Check for open fireplace dampers.
auditor. Also, you can learn more about • Make sure your appliances and
home energy audits and find free tools heating and cooling systems are
and calculators on energysavers.gov, properly maintained. Check your
the Residential Services Network at owner’s manuals for the recom-
resnet.us, or the Building Performance mended maintenance.
Institute at bpi.org. • Study your family’s lighting needs
and look for ways to use controls—
DIY Energy Assessment Tips like sensors, dimmers, or timers—
• Check the insulation in your attic, to reduce lighting use.
exterior and basement walls,
ceilings, floors, and crawl spaces.
Other 5%
Cooking 4%
4% Water
Refrigeration Heating
3%
Wet Cleaning 18%
4
Cool Hot Photo from Infraspection Institute, Inc.
5
Smart Meters and Smart meters and home energy manage-
a Smarter Power Grid ment systems allow customers to
Millions of smart meters have been program how and when their home uses
installed across the country. Smart meters energy. Such programs might charge you
provide two-way communication between the actual cost of power at any one time,
you and your utility, helping your utility ranging from high prices during times
know about blackouts, for example. This of peak demand to low prices during
helps utilities to maintain more reliable off-peak hours. If you are able to shift
electrical service. your power use to off-peak times—such
as running your dishwasher late in the
Smart meters can be used with home evening—these programs can save you
energy management systems such as money while helping your utility.
Web-based tools that your utility provides
or devices that can be installed in your Time-based rates are very attractive to
home. Smart meters can display your owners of plug-in hybrids and electric
home energy use, help you find ways to vehicles since typically these vehicles are
save energy and money, and even allow recharged at night. See the Transportation
you to remotely adjust your thermostat or section for more information.
turn appliances off.
6
Air Leaks and Insulation
7
• Cover single-pane windows with are available in widths suited to standard
storm windows or replace them with spacing of wall studs and attic or floor
more efficient double-pane low- joists: 2 in. x 4 in. walls can hold R-13
emissivity windows. See the Windows or R-15 batts; 2 in. x 6 in. walls can use
section for more information. R-19 or R-21 products.
• Use foam sealant on larger gaps Loose-fill insulation is usually made
around windows, baseboards, and of fiberglass, rock wool, or cellulose in
other places where air may leak out. the form of loose fibers or fiber pellets.
• Cover your kitchen exhaust fan to It should be blown into spaces using
stop air leaks when not in use. special pneumatic equipment. The blown-
• Check your dryer vent to be sure in material conforms readily to odd-sized
it is not blocked. This will save building cavities and attics with wires,
energy and may prevent a fire. ducts, and pipes, making it well suited for
• Replace door bottoms and thresholds places where it is difficult to effectively
with ones that have pliable sealing install other types of insulation.
gaskets.
• Keep the fireplace flue damper Rigid foam insulation is typically more
tightly closed when not in use. expensive than rolls and batts or loose-
• Seal air leaks around fireplace fill insulation, but it is very effective
chimneys, furnaces, and gas-fired in exterior wall sheathing, interior
water heater vents with fire-resistant sheathing for basement walls, and special
materials such as sheet metal or applications such as attic hatches. Foam
sheetrock and furnace cement caulk. insulation R-values range from R-4 to
R-6.5 per inch of thickness, which is up
Fireplace flues are made from metal, and to 2 times greater than most other
over time repeated heating and cooling can insulating materials of the same thickness.
cause the metal to warp or break, creating a
channel for air loss. To seal your flue when Foam-in-place insulation can be blown
not in use, consider an inflatable chimney into walls, on attic surfaces, or under floors
balloon. Inflatable chimney balloons fit to insulate and reduce air leakage. You
beneath your fireplace flue when not in can use the small pressurized cans of foam-
use, are made from durable plastic, and can in-place insulation to reduce air leakage
be removed easily and reused hundreds of in holes and cracks such as window and
times. If you forget to remove the balloon door frames, and electrical and plumbing
before making a fire, the balloon will penetrations.
automatically deflate within seconds of There are two types of foam-in-place
coming into contact with heat. insulation: closed-cell and open-cell. Both
are typically made with polyurethane.
Insulation With closed-cell foam, the high-density
Insulation is made from a variety of cells are closed and filled with a gas that
materials, and it usually comes in four helps the foam expand to fill the spaces
types: rolls and batts, loose-fill, rigid around it. Closed-cell foam is the most
foam, and foam-in-place. effective, with an insulation value of
Rolls and batts—or blankets—are around R-6.2 per inch of thickness.
flexible products made from mineral fibers,
such as fiberglass and rock wool. They
8
U.S. Department of Energy Recommended*
Total R-Values for New Wood-Framed Houses
* These recommendations are cost-effective levels of insulation based on the best available information on local fuel
and materials costs and weather conditions. Consequently, the levels may differ from current local building codes.
9
Where to Insulate
Adding insulation in the areas
shown here may be the best way
to improve your home’s energy
efficiency. Insulate either the attic
floor or under the roof. Check
with a contractor about crawl
space or basement insulation.
1 Attic
2 Walls
3 Floors
4 Basement
5 Crawlspace
Open-cell foam cells are not as dense help ensure proper airflow from the
and are filled with air, which gives the soffit to the attic. Ventilation helps
insulation a spongy texture. Open-cell with moisture control and reducing
foam insulation value is around R-3.7 summer cooling bills, but don’t venti-
per inch of thickness. late your attic if you have insulation on
The type of insulation you should choose the underside of the roof. Ask a quali-
depends on how you will use it and on fied contractor for recommendations.
your budget. While closed-cell foam has • Be careful how close you place
a greater R-value and provides stronger insulation next to a recessed light
resistance against moisture and air fixture—unless it is insulation
leakage, the material is also much denser contact (IC) rated—to avoid a fire
and is more expensive to install. Open- hazard. See the Lighting section for
cell foam is lighter and less expensive but more information about recessed
should not be used below ground level lights.
where it could absorb water. Consult a • Follow the manufacturer’s installa-
professional insulation installer to decide tion instructions, and wear the proper
what type of insulation is best for you. protective gear when installing
insulation.
Insulation Tips
• Consider factors such as your climate, $ Long-Term Savings Tips
home design, and budget when select- One of the most cost-effective ways
ing insulation for your home. to make your home more comfortable
• Use higher R-value insulation, such year-round is to add insulation to your
as spray foam, on exterior walls attic, including the attic trap or access
and in cathedral ceilings to get more door, which is relatively easy. To find
insulation with less thickness. out if you have enough attic insulation,
• Install attic air barriers such as wind measure the thickness of the insulation.
baffles along the entire attic eave to
10
These help to reduce the energy that
Tips for would otherwise be lost through the
Finding a Contractor wood frame. The table on page 9 shows
the recommended combinations. For
■■ Look for licensed, insured, and more customized recommendations, see
certified contractors. the ZIP Code Insulation Calculator at
■■ Get three bids with details in writing. ornl.gov/~roofs/Zip/ZipHome.html.
■■ Ask about previous experience.
■■ Check references. Consider products that provide both
■■ Ask neighbors and friends for
insulation and structural support, such
recommendations. as structural insulated panels (SIPs), and
■■ Focus on local companies. masonry products like insulating con-
crete forms. Visit energysavers.gov for
more information on structural insulation.
If it is less than R-30 (11 inches of fiber You should consider attic or roof radiant
glass or rock wool or 8 inches of cellulose), barriers (in hot climates), reflective
you could probably benefit by adding more. insulation, and foundation insulation for
new home construction. Check with your
If your attic has enough insulation and
contractor for more information about
proper air sealing, and your home still
these options.
feels drafty and cold in the winter or too
warm in the summer, chances are you
need to add insulation to the exterior Should I Insulate
walls. This is more expensive and My Home?
usually requires a contractor, but it may
be worth the cost—especially if you live Insulate your home when:
in a very cold climate. If you replace the ■■ You have an older home and
exterior siding on your home, consider haven’t added insulation. Homes
adding insulation at the same time. built before 1950 use about 60%
You may also need to add insulation more energy per square foot than
those built in 2000 or later.
to your crawl space or basement. Check
with a professional contractor for
■■ You are uncomfortably cold in
the winter or hot in the summer—
recommendations.
adding insulation creates a more
New Construction and uniform temperature and increases
comfort.
Additions
■■ You build a new home or addition
In most climates, you will save money
or install new siding or roofing.
and energy when you build a new home
■■ You pay high energy bills.
or addition if you install a combination
■■ You are bothered by noise from
of cavity insulation and insulative
outside—insulation muffles sound.
sheathing. Reduce exterior wall leaks by
taping the joints of exterior sheathing
and caulking and sealing exterior walls.
Cavity insulation can be installed at
levels up to R-15 in a 2 in. x 4 in. wall
and up to R-21 in a 2 in. x 6 in. wall.
11
Heating and Cooling
eating and cooling your home • Eliminate trapped air from hot-water
uses more energy and costs radiators once or twice a season; if
more money than any other system unsure about how to perform this
in your home—typically making up task, contact a professional.
about 54% of your utility bill. • Place heat-resistant radiator
No matter what kind of heating and reflectors between exterior walls and
cooling system you have in your the radiators.
house, you can save money and • Turn off kitchen, bath, and other
increase your comfort by properly exhaust fans within 20 minutes after
maintaining and upgrading your you are done cooking or bathing;
equipment. But remember, an energy- when replacing exhaust fans,
efficient furnace alone will not have as consider installing high-efficiency,
great an impact on your energy bills low-noise models.
as using the whole-house approach. • During winter, keep the draperies
By combining proper equipment and shades on your south-facing
maintenance and upgrades with windows open during the day to
recommended insulation, air sealing, allow the sunlight to enter your
and thermostat settings, you can home and closed at night to reduce
cut your energy use for heating and the chill you may feel from cold
cooling—and reduce environmental windows.
emissions—from 20%-50%.
For furnaces, look for high Annual Fuel Minor Duct Repair Tips
Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) ratings. • Check your ducts for air leaks.
The national minimum is 78% AFUE, but First, look for sections that should
there are ENERGY STAR® models on be joined but have separated and
the market that exceed 90% AFUE. For then look for obvious holes.
air conditioners, look for a high Seasonal • If you use tape to seal your ducts,
Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). The avoid cloth-backed, rubber adhesive
current minimum is 13 SEER for central duct tape—it tends to fail quickly.
air conditioners. ENERGY STAR models Instead, use mastic, butyl tape, foil
are 14.5 SEER or more. tape, or other heat-approved tapes.
Look for tape with the Underwriters
Air Ducts Laboratories (UL) logo.
Your air ducts are one of the most important • Remember that insulating ducts in
systems in your home, and if the ducts are the basement will make the base-
poorly sealed or insulated they are likely ment colder. If both the ducts and
contributing to higher energy bills. the basement walls are not insulated,
Your home’s duct system is a branching consider insulating both. Water
network of tubes in the walls, floors, and pipes and drains in unconditioned
ceilings; it carries the air from your home’s spaces could freeze and burst if the
furnace and central air conditioner to each heat ducts are fully insulated be-
room. Ducts are made of sheet metal, cause there would be no heat source
fiberglass, or other materials. to prevent the space from freezing
in cold weather. However, using an
Ducts that leak heated air into unheated
electric heating tape wrap on the
spaces can add hundreds of dollars a
pipes can prevent this. Check with
year to your heating and cooling bills.
a professional contractor.
Insulating ducts that are in unconditioned
• Hire a professional to install both
spaces is usually very cost effective. If you
supply and return registers in the
are installing a new duct system, make
basement rooms after converting
sure it comes with insulation.
your basement to a living area.
Sealing your ducts to prevent leaks • Be sure a well-sealed vapor barrier
is even more important if the ducts are exists on the outside of the insula-
located in an unconditioned area such as tion on cooling ducts to prevent
an attic or vented crawl space. If the moisture condensation.
13
Air Ducts: Out of Sight, Out of Mind
The unsealed ducts in your attic and crawlspaces lose air, and uninsulated ducts lose
heat—wasting energy and money.
15
Hot Winter Tip
Use a programmable thermostat
to automatically turn down
the heat at night or when you’re
away from home.
Programmable thermostats can store help cool your home by pulling cool air
multiple daily settings (six or more through the house and exhausting warm
temperature settings a day) that you can air through the attic. Use the fan most
manually override without affecting the effectively to cool down your house
rest of the daily or weekly program. during cooler times of the day: your home
will stay cooler through the hotter times
Air Conditioners of the day without using the fan.
Buying a bigger room air conditioner
won’t necessarily make you feel more Cooling Tips
comfortable during the hot summer • Set your thermostat at as high a
months. In fact, a room air conditioner temperature as comfortably possible
that’s too big for the area it is supposed to in the summer, and ensure humid-
cool will perform less efficiently and less ity control if needed. The smaller
effectively than a smaller, properly sized the difference between the indoor
unit. Central air-conditioning systems and outdoor temperatures, the lower
need to be sized by professionals. your overall cooling bill will be.
If you have a central air system in your • Avoid setting your thermostat at a
home, set the fan to shut off at the same colder setting than normal when you
time as the compressor, which is usually turn on your air conditioner. It will
done by setting the “auto” mode on not cool your home any faster and
the fan setting. In other words, don’t could result in excessive cooling and,
use the system’s central fan to provide therefore, unnecessary expense.
air circulation—use circulating fans in • Consider using an interior fan along
individual rooms. with your window air conditioner to
spread the cooled air through your
Instead of air-conditioning, consider home without greatly increasing
installing a whole-house fan. Whole- your power use.
house fans work in many climates and
16
Buildings and Trees—Natural Partners
Deciduous trees planted on the south and west sides will help keep your house cool in
the summer and allow sun to shine through the windows in the winter.
17
A cool roof uses material that is designed Visit the Green Roofs for Healthy Cities
to reflect more sunlight and absorb less industry website at greenroofs.org for
heat than a standard roof. Cool roofs more information.
can be made of a highly reflective type
of paint, a sheet covering, or highly Landscaping
reflective tiles or shingles. Landscaping is a natural and beautiful
way to keep your home cool in summer
By installing a cool roof, you can lower and reduce your energy bills. A well-
the temperature of your roof by up to placed tree, shrub, or vine can deliver
50°F and save energy and money by effective shade, act as a windbreak,
using less air conditioning. Cool roofs and reduce your energy bills—see
make spaces like garages or covered landscaping illustration. Carefully
patios more comfortable. positioned trees can save up to 25%
As cool roofs become more popular, of the energy a typical household uses.1
communities will benefit from fewer Research shows that summer day-time
power plant emissions and less demand air temperatures can be 3°-6° cooler
for new power plants. Cool roofs can in tree-shaded neighborhoods than in
lower outside air temperatures, reducing treeless areas.2
heat islands in urban areas. A lattice or trellis with climbing vines
Nearly any type of home can benefit from or a planter box with trailing vines
a cool roof, but consider climate and shades the home while admitting
other factors before you decide to install cooling breezes to the shaded area.
one. Visit energysavers.gov to learn more
about cool roofs.
Green Roofs
You may also consider installing a
green roof. Green roofs are ideal for
urban buildings with flat or shallow-
pit roofs, and can include anything
from basic plant cover to a garden. The
primary reasons for using this type of
roof include managing storm water and
enjoying a rooftop open space. Green
roofs also provide insulation, lower the
need for heating and cooling, and can
reduce the urban heat island effect. This
roof type can be much more expensive
to implement than other efficient roof
options, so you should carefully assess
your property and consult a professional
before deciding to install a green roof.
18
Water Heating
ater heating is
the second largest
energy expense in your
home. It typically accounts
for about 18% of your
utility bill.
There are four ways to cut
your water heating bills: use
less hot water, turn down
the thermostat on your water
heater, insulate your water
heater, or buy a new, more
efficient model.
19
Although most water heaters last 10-15 Gallons
years, it’s best to start shopping now for a Activity per Use
new one if yours is more than 7 years old. Clothes washer 7
Doing some research before your heater
fails will enable you to select one that Shower 10
most appropriately meets your needs. Automatic
6
dishwasher
$ Long-Term Savings Tips
Kitchen
Buy a new energy-efficient water heater. 2 per minute
faucet flow
While it may cost more initially than a
standard water heater, the energy savings Bathroom
.05 per minute
will continue during the lifetime of the faucet flow
appliance. Look for the ENERGY STAR® Total daily average 64
and EnergyGuide labels. You can find
the ENERGY STAR label on efficient Average Hot Water Usage
water heaters in the following categories: Faucets and appliances can use a lot of hot
high efficiency gas non-condensing, water, which costs you money. Look for
ways to heat your water more efficiently
gas condensing, electric heat pump,
and use less. Source: Federal Energy Management
gas tankless, and solar.
Program Energy Cost Calculator, March 2010
Consider natural gas on-demand or tankless
water heaters, which heat water directly Solar Water Heaters
without using a storage tank. Researchers If you heat water with electricity, have
have found energy savings can be up to high electric rates, and have an unshaded,
30% compared with a standard natural gas south-facing location (such as a roof)
storage tank water heater.3 on your property, consider installing a
Consider installing a drain-water waste solar water heater. The solar units are
heat recovery system. Drain-water, or environmentally friendly and you can
greywater, heat recovery systems capture have them installed on your roof to blend
the energy from waste hot water—such as with the architecture of your house.
showers and dishwashers—to preheat cold Solar water heating systems are also good
water entering the water heater or going to for the environment. Solar water heaters
other water fixtures. Energy savings vary avoid the greenhouse gas emissions
depending on individual household usage. associated with electricity production.
Heat pump water heaters can be very cost When shopping for a solar water heater,
effective in some areas. They typically look for the ENERGY STAR label and for
use 50% less electricity to heat water than systems certified by the Solar Rating and
conventional electric water heaters. If your Certification Corporation or the Florida
water heater is located in your basement, Solar Energy Center.
it will also provide dehumidification in the
summer months. However, this technology $ Long-Term Savings Tip
can pose some installation challenges, so Visit the Database of State Incentives
you should consult with an installer before for Renewables & Efficiency website
you purchase one. For more information (dsireusa.org) to see if you qualify for
see energysavers.gov. tax credits or rebates for buying a solar
water heater.
20
Windows
indows can be one of
your home’s most
attractive features. Windows Windows with low-e
provide views, daylighting, coatings reflect back
part of your room’s heat
ventilation, and heat from the
in the winter.
sun in the winter. Unfortu-
nately, they can also account
for 10%-25% of your heating
bill by letting heat out.
During the summer, your air
conditioner must work harder
to cool hot air from sunny
windows. Install ENERGY
STAR®-qualified windows and
use curtains and shade to give
your air conditioner and energy
bill a break.
If your home has single-pane
windows, consider replacing
them with double-pane windows
with high-performance glass—
low-e or spectrally selective Cold-Climate Windows Keep Heat In
coatings. In colder climates, Double-pane windows with low-e coating on the
select gas-filled windows with glass reflect heat back into the room during the
low-e coatings to reduce heat winter months.
loss. In warmer climates, select
windows with spectrally selective • Close your curtains and shades at
coatings to reduce heat gain. night to protect against cold drafts;
If you decide not to replace your open them during the day to let in
windows, consider following these warming sunlight.
tips to improve their performance. • Install exterior or interior storm
windows, which can reduce heat loss
Cold Weather Window Tips through the windows by 25%-50%.
• Use a heavy-duty, clear plastic sheet They should have weatherstripping
on a frame or tape clear plastic film at all movable joints; be made of
to the inside of your window frames strong, durable materials; and have
to reduce drafts. interlocking or overlapping joints.
• Install tight-fitting, insulating window • Repair and weatherize your current
shades on windows that feel drafty after storm windows, if necessary.
weatherizing.
21
Warm Weather Window Tips
• Install white window shades, drapes, Windows with low-e
or blinds to reflect heat away from coatings reflect back part
the house. of the summer sun.
• Close curtains on south- and west-
facing windows during the day.
• Install awnings on south- and west-
facing windows.
• Apply sun-control or other reflective
films on south-facing windows to
reduce solar heat gain.
22
Lighting
n average household dedicates they can initially cost more than tradi-
about 6% of its energy budget tional incandescent bulbs, over their
to lighting. Switching to energy-efficient lifetime they save you money because
lighting is one of the fastest ways to cut they use less electricity.
your energy bills. Timers and motion
sensors save you even more money by Energy-Saving (also called Halogen)
reducing the amount of time lights are Incandescent Lighting
on but not being used. Halogen incandescent light bulbs are
simply energy-efficient incandescent
Indoor Lighting bulbs and can last up to three times longer
You have many choices in energy-efficient than traditional incandescent light bulbs.
lighting. The most popular light bulbs Halogen incandescents come in a wide
available are halogen incandescents, range of shapes and colors and can be
compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), and used with dimmers.
light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Although
23
CFL Bulbs LEDs: A New Kind of Light
ENERGY STAR®-qualified CFLs use about LED bulbs offer similar light quality to
75% less energy and last up to 10 times traditional incandescents, last 25 times as
longer than traditional incandescents. long, and use even less energy than CFLs.
Choose ENERGY STAR-qualified LEDs for
the highest quality and energy savings.
CFL Lighting
CFL bulbs last about 10 times longer
and use about one-fourth the energy of energy and last up to 25 times longer
traditional incandescent bulbs. A typical than traditional incandescent bulbs. They
CFL can pay for itself in energy savings come in a variety of colors, and some are
in less than 9 months and continue dimmable or offer convenient features
to save you money each month. such as daylight and motion sensors.
You can buy CFLs that offer the same In addition to standard screw-in bulbs,
brightness and colors as traditional you’ll find LEDs in desk lamps, kitchen
incandescent bulbs. Some CFLs are under-cabinet lighting, and even holiday
encased in a cover to further diffuse light strings.
the light and provide a similar shape
to traditional incandescent bulbs.
Indoor Lighting Tips
• Replacing 15 inefficient incande-
CFLs contain a very small amount of scent bulbs in your home with
mercury and require special handling if energy-saving bulbs could save
they are broken. CFLs should be recycled you about $50 per year. Replace
at the end of their lifespan. Many retailers your old incandescent bulbs with
recycle CFLs for free. Visit epa.gov/cfl ENERGY STAR-qualified bulbs
for cleanup and safe disposal steps. for the best quality in savings.
• Visit energystar.gov to find the right
LED Lighting light bulbs for your fixtures. They
LED bulbs are rapidly expanding in
are available in sizes and shapes to
household use. ENERGY STAR-qualified
LEDs use only about 20%-25% of the
24
fit in almost any fixture and provide
the greatest savings in fixtures that
are on for a long time each day.
• When remodeling, look for recessed
light fixtures or “cans” which are
rated for contact with insulation
and are air tight (ICAT rated).
• When replacing incandescent
bulbs from recessed light fixtures,
use energy-efficient bulbs that are
rated for that purpose. For example,
the heat buildup in downlights will
significantly shorten the life of
spiral CFLs.
• Consider purchasing ENERGY Recycle Your Old CFLs
CFLs contain a small amount of mercury
STAR-qualified fixtures. They are
sealed within the glass tubing, and must
available in many styles, distribute be recycled. Many retailers offer free
light more efficiently and evenly recycling services, and some municipalities
than standard fixtures, and some have special recycling programs.
offer convenient features such as
dimming. mance in cold environments. Look for
• Controls such as timers and photo- LED products such as pathway lights,
cells save electricity by turning lights step lights, and porch lights for outdoor
off when not in use. Dimmers save use. You can also find solar powered
electricity when used to lower light outdoor lighting.
levels. Be sure to select products
that are compatible with the energy- Outdoor Lighting Tips
efficient bulbs you want to use. • Because outdoor lights are usually
• Keep your curtains or shades open left on a long time, using CFLs or
to use daylighting instead of turn- LEDs in these fixtures will save a
ing on lights. For more privacy, use lot of energy. Most bare spiral CFLs
light-colored, loose-weave curtains can be used in enclosed fixtures that
to allow daylight into the room. protect them from the weather.
Also, decorate with lighter colors • CFLs and LEDs are available as
that reflect daylight. flood lights. These models have
been tested to withstand the rain
Outdoor Lighting and snow so they can be used in
Many homeowners use outdoor lighting exposed fixtures.
for decoration and security. A variety of • Look for ENERGY STAR-qualified
products are available from low-voltage fixtures that are designed for out-
pathway lighting to motion-detector door use and come with features
floodlights. like automatic daylight shut-off
LEDs work well indoors and outdoors and motion sensors.
because of their durability and perfor-
25
New Lighting Standards
in 2012
Beginning in 2012, the common light
bulbs we use will be required to be about
25% more energy efficient to meet the
new efficiency standards of the bipartisan
Energy Independence and Security Act
of 2007 (EISA 2007).
As of January 1, 2012, traditional 100 W
incandescent light bulbs will not meet the
standards and will no longer be available.
Similar standards will take effect for
traditional 75 W incandescent bulbs as
of January 1, 2013, and traditional 40 W
and 60 W incandescent bulbs as of
The Lighting Facts Label January 1, 2014. However, you have
You’ll find a new label on light bulb many lighting options that are EISA-
packages starting in 2012: the Lighting compliant and will save you money.
Facts label. The Federal Trade Commis-
sion is requiring the label on all light
bulb packages to help consumers easily Lumens: A New Way
compare energy-efficient light bulbs. to Shop for Light
The label includes:
• Brightness, measured in lumens In the past, we bought light bulbs
based on how much energy, or watts,
• Estimated yearly energy cost
they use. Wouldn’t it make more sense
(similar to the EnergyGuide label) to buy lights based on how much light
• Lifespan they provide?
• Light appearance (from warm
to cool) When you’re shopping for light bulbs,
you can choose your next light bulb for
• Energy used, measured in watts.
the brightness you want by comparing
Like the helpful nutrition label on food lumens instead of watts. A lumen is a
products, the Lighting Facts label will measure of the amount of brightness
help you to understand exactly what you of a light bulb—the higher the number
are buying and to buy the light bulbs that of lumens, the brighter the light bulb.
are right for you. If you’re replacing an inefficient 100W
bulb, look for an energy-saving bulb
that puts out about 1600 lumens. To
replace a 60 W equivalent, look for a
bulb with about 800 lumens.
So when you’re looking for a new bulb,
look for lumens—or how bright the
bulb is. Now that’s a pretty bright idea!
26
Appliances
ppliances account for about 13% When you shop for a new appliance, look
of your household’s energy costs, for the ENERGY STAR® label. ENERGY
with refrigeration, cooking, and laundry STAR products usually exceed minimum
at the top of the list. federal standards by a substantial amount.
When you’re shopping for appliances, To help you figure out whether an
think of two price tags. The first one appliance is energy efficient, the federal
covers the purchase price—think of it as a government requires most appliances
down payment. The second price tag is the to display the bright yellow and black
cost of operating the appliance during its EnergyGuide label. Although these labels
lifetime. You’ll be paying on that second will not show you which appliance is the
price tag every month with your utility most efficient on the market, they will
bill for the next 10 to 20 years, depending show you the annual energy consumption
on the appliance. Refrigerators last an and operating cost for each appliance so
average of 12 years; clothes washers about you can compare them yourself.
11 years; dishwashers about 10 years; and
room air conditioners last about 9 years.
27
What’s a Kilowatt?
When you use electricity to cook
a pot of rice for 1 hour, you use
1,000 watt-hours (1,000 Wh) of
electricity! One thousand watt-hours
equals 1 kWh. Your utility bill usually
shows what you are charged for the
kilowatt-hours you use. The average
residential rate is 11.04 cents/kWh.
A typical U.S. household consumes
about 11,800 kWh per year, costing
an average of $1,297 annually.4
Dishwashers
Most of the energy used by a dishwasher
is for water heating. The EnergyGuide ENERGY STAR® Refrigerators Are Cool!
label estimates how much power is ENERGY STAR-qualified refrigerators
needed per year to run the appliance and are 20% more energy efficient than non-
to heat the water based on the yearly cost qualified models. Models with top-mounted
of natural gas and electric water heating. freezers use 10%–25% less energy than
side-by-side or bottom-mount units.
Dishwasher Water-Saving Tips
• Check the manual that came with • Let your dishes air dry; if you don’t
your dishwasher for the manufac- have an automatic air-dry switch,
turer’s recommendations on water turn off the control knob after the
temperature; many have internal final rinse and prop the door open
heating elements that allow you to slightly so the dishes will dry faster.
set the water heater in your home to
a lower temperature (120°F). $ Long-Term Savings Tip
• Scrape, don’t rinse, off large food When shopping for a new dishwasher,
pieces and bones. Soaking or pre- look for the ENERGY STAR label to
washing is generally only recom- find one that uses less water and energy
mended in cases of burned- or dried- than required by federal standards. They
on food. are required to use 5.8 gallons of water
• Be sure your dishwasher is full per cycle or less—older dishwashers
(not overloaded) when you run it. purchased before 1994 use more than 10
• Avoid using the “rinse hold” on gallons of water per cycle.
your machine for just a few soiled
dishes. It uses 3-7 gallons of hot Smart Appliances
water each use. Some manufacturers are now offering
“smart” appliances—appliances that can
be connected to smart electric meters
or home energy management systems
28
How to Read the EnergyGuide Label
The EnergyGuide label is required to be placed on all appliances by the manufacturers.
The label provides information about energy consumption, and shows you how much
energy an appliance uses compared with similar models. Keep in mind that the numbers
are averages: actual costs will differ somewhat depending on how you use them.
1. Maker, model number, and size of the
appliance.
1
2. Estimated yearly operating cost 5
(based on the national average cost of
electricity), and the range of operating
costs for similar models.
2
3. The ENERGY STAR® logo indicates
that this model meets strict criteria for
energy efficiency.
4
4. Estimated yearly electricity consumption.
5. Key features of the appliance and the
similar models that make up the cost 3
comparison range.
to help you shift your electricity use ways to shift energy use. You might not
to off-peak hours. Air conditioners, even be aware of it. For example, your air
refrigerators, dishwashers, and other conditioner may run slightly less often.
appliances may be available as smart Or your refrigerator might delay it’s
appliances. defrost cycle until the middle of the night.
Smart appliances don’t just turn off If your utility charges lower rates for
during times of peak electricity electricity at night, also called time-based
demand—instead, they use subtle rates, you could save on your utility bill.
29
Such changes may be unnoticeable to
you, but could add up to significant
savings for your utility—savings that can
be shared with you. Your utility provider
can tell you more about the availability
of smart grid technologies and time-based
electricity rates in your area and how
they can benefit you.
Refrigerators
The EnergyGuide label on new refri-
gerators tells you how much electricity
in kilowatt-hours (kWh) a particular Save Energy and More with
model uses in one year. The smaller the ENERGY STAR
ENERGY STAR clothes washers use 50%
number, the less energy the refrigerator
less energy to wash clothes than standard
uses and the less it will cost you to washing machines.
operate. In addition to the EnergyGuide
label, don’t forget to look for the
paper or a dollar bill so it is half in
ENERGY STAR label. A new refrigerator
and half out of the refrigerator. If you
with an ENERGY STAR label uses at
can pull the paper or bill out easily,
least 20% less energy than required by
the latch may need adjustment, the
current federal standards and 40% less
seal may need replacing, or you may
energy than the conventional models
consider buying a new unit.
sold in 2001.
• Cover liquids and wrap foods stored
Refrigerator-Freezer in the refrigerator. Uncovered foods
Energy Tips release moisture and make the
• Don’t keep your refrigerator or compressor work harder.
freezer too cold. Recommended • Regularly defrost manual-defrost
temperatures are 37°-40°F for the freezers and refrigerators; frost
fresh food compartment and 5°F for buildup decreases the energy
the freezer section. If you have a efficiency of the unit. Don’t allow
separate freezer for long-term stor- frost to build up more than one-
age, it should be kept at 0°F. quarter of an inch.
• Check the refrigerator temperature
$ Long-Term Savings Tip
by placing an appliance thermometer
Look for the ENERGY STAR label
in a glass of water in the center of
when buying a new refrigerator. Select
the refrigerator. Read it after 24
a new refrigerator that is the right size
hours. Check the freezer tempera-
for your household. Top freezer models
ture by placing a thermometer
are more energy efficient than side-by-
between frozen packages. Read it
side models. Features like icemakers and
after 24 hours.
water dispensers, while convenient, do
• Make sure your refrigerator door
use more energy.
seals are airtight. Test them by
closing the door over a piece of
30
How Much Electricity Do Appliances Use?
cost/year 0 $48 $96 $144 $192 $240
Hair dryer
Video game system
Toaster oven
Coffee maker
Laptop computer
DVD player
Ceiling fan
Clothes washer
Dishwasher
Microwave
Television
Desktop computer
Refrigerator/freezer
Pool pump
Clothes dryer
Water heater (family of 2)
kwh/year 0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500
This chart shows how much energy a typical appliance uses per year and its corresponding
cost based on national averages. For example, a refrigerator uses almost five times the
electricity the average television uses. Visit energysavers.gov for instructions on calculating
the electrical use of your appliances. Source: Buildings Energy Data Book 2010, 2.1.16 Operating Characteristics
of Electric Appliances in the Residential Sector
32
Home Office and Electronics
any people work from home
at least one day per week. Shop for ENERGY STAR®
Working from home saves energy Office Products
and time by cutting out the commute,
■■ Computers
but it may increase your home energy
■■ Copiers
bills unless you use energy-saving
office equipment.
■■ Fax machines
■■ Monitors
ENERGY STAR-labeled office ■■ Multifunction devices
equipment is widely available. It (fax, scanner, and copier)
can provide dramatic energy savings— ■■ Printers
as much as 90% savings for some ■■ Scanners
products. Overall, ENERGY STAR-
labeled office products use about half
the electricity of standard equipment. • Using the power management
Find ENERGY STAR products and settings on computers and monitors
standards at energystar.gov. can cause significant savings.
• It is a common misperception that
Home Office Tips
screen savers reduce a monitor’s
• Selecting energy-efficient office
energy use. Use automatic switching
equipment and turning off
to sleep mode or simply turn it off.
machines when they are not in
use can result in significant
energy savings.
• Using an ENERGY STAR-
labeled computer can save
30%-65% energy than comput-
ers without this designation,
depending on usage.
• Spending a large portion of time
in low-power mode not only
saves energy but helps equip-
ment run cooler and last longer.
• Putting your laptop AC adapter
on a power strip that can be
turned off (or will turn off
automatically) can maximize Keep Your Home Office Efficient with
savings; the transformer in the ENERGY STAR
AC adapter draws power con- Laptops are far more efficient than desktop com-
tinuously, even when the laptop puters, especially ENERGY STAR qualified models.
is not plugged into the adapter.
33
• Another misperception, carried over
from the days of older mainframe Shop for ENERGY STAR®
computers, is that equipment lasts Home Electronics
longer if it is never turned off. ■■ Cordless phones
$ Long-Term Savings Tip ■■ TVs
Consider buying a laptop for your next ■■ DVD players
computer upgrade; laptops use much less ■■ Combination units (TV/DVD)
energy than desktop computers. ■■ Home audio
■■ Set-top boxes
Home Electronics Tips
• Look for energy-saving
ENERGY STAR home electronics. appliances. Unplug battery chargers
• Unplug appliances, or use a power when the batteries are fully charged
strip and use the switch on the or the chargers are not in use.
power strip to cut all power to the • Use rechargeable batteries for
appliance, to avoid “vampire” loads. products like cordless phones and
Many appliances continue to draw digital cameras. Studies have shown
a small amount of power when they they are more cost effective than
are switched off. These vampire disposable batteries. If you must
loads occur in most appliances that use disposables, check with your
use electricity, such as DVD players, trash removal company about safe
TVs, stereos, computers, and kitchen disposal options.
34
Renewable Energy
ou have many options for energy technology, this energy-saving
using renewable energy at home technology makes use of the constant
including solar panels and small temperature near the earth’s surface for
wind turbines. heating and cooling. See the Heating and
Solar panels are the most popular form Cooling section for more information.
of renewable energy today. You can In addition to using renewable energy
use them to generate heat, electricity, in your home, you can buy electricity
and indoor and outdoor light. made from renewable energy like the sun,
If you live on at least one acre of land wind, water, plants, and geothermal from
with an ample wind resource, you your utility company. Check with your
can generate your own electricity local utility for more information.
using a small wind electric system. Renewable Energy Tips
You can also use a small wind turbine • Installing solar-powered outdoor
for pumping water, or to charge a pathway lights is one of the easiest
sailboat battery. ways to use solar energy at home.
You may have also heard of using • Building a new home is the best time
a geothermal or ground-source heat to design and orient the home to take
pump to heat and cool your home. advantage of the sun’s rays. A well-
While not technically a renewable oriented home lets in the winter sun
35
in south-facing windows to reduce
heating bills, and blocks the heat
from summer sun to reduce cooling
bills (see the Solar Heating and
Cooling section).
• Heating water is a great use of solar
power (see the Water Heating sec-
tion). If you have a swimming pool
or hot tub, you can use solar power
to cut pool heating costs. Most solar
pool heating systems are cost com-
petitive with conventional systems
and have very low operating costs.
Small Wind Electric Systems It’s actually the most cost-effective
A small wind turbine system can provide use of solar energy.
additional electricity in your home, or even • Installing small wind turbines, which
power your sailboat battery. range in size from 400 W to 20 kW,
can provide some of the electricity
for your home. Other uses of micro
Is a Solar Power System wind turbines (20-500 W) include
Right for Me? charging batteries for sailboats and
other recreational vehicles. Learn
You could consider adding a solar more at energysavers.gov.
power system to your house if your
location has adequate solar resources. $ Long-Term Savings Tip
A shade-free, south-facing location If you’ve already made your home as
is best. At least one of the following energy efficient as possible, and you still
should also be true: have high electricity bills and have access
■■ You live in a remote location and your to a good solar resource, you might want
home is not connected to the utility to consider generating your own electricity
grid. Using solar power might cost you with a solar power system. Solar panels
less than extending a power line to the can be easily installed onto ground- or
grid. Your power provider will connect roof-mounted racks, and new products
your solar system to the electricity are available that integrate solar cells with
grid and credit your bill for any excess the roof, making them much less visible
power you produce.
than older systems.
■■ You are willing to pay more up front
to reduce the environmental impact of You should consider several factors if
your electricity use. you want to install a solar power system,
■■ Your state, city, or utility offers rebates, such as your solar resources, siting and
tax credits, or other incentives. Visit sizing the system, the type of system
dsireusa.org to find out about financial (grid-connected or stand-alone), and
incentives in your area. electrical safety. Because of the complexity
and need for proper installation, it’s best
to have a professional solar contractor
install your system.
36
Transportation
n 2010, Americans traveled a total of
3 trillion miles—the equivalent of 6.5
million round-trips to the moon.5
Transportation accounts for 72% of
U.S. oil use, mostly for gas.6 Luckily,
there are plenty of ways to improve
your gas mileage or avoid using gas
altogether.
Driving Tips*
• Avoid idling. Think about it—idling
gets you 0 miles per gallon. The
best way to warm up a vehicle is to
drive it. No more than 30 seconds
of idling on winter days is needed.
Anything more simply wastes fuel
and increases emissions.
• Avoid aggressive driving, such as • Check into telecommuting,
speeding, rapid acceleration, and carpooling, and public transit to
hard braking, which can lower your save driving and car maintenance
highway gas mileage by up to 33% costs. Many urban areas provide
and your city mileage by 5%. carpool lanes that are usually less
• Avoid high speeds. Above 60 mph, congested, which means you will
gas mileage drops rapidly. For get to work and home faster and
every 5 mph above 60 mph, it’s more refreshed!
like paying an additional $0.30
per gallon of gasoline. Car Maintenance Tips
• Avoid keeping heavy items in your • Use the grade of motor oil your car’s
car; an extra 100 pounds in your manufacturer recommends. Using
vehicle could increase your gas a different motor oil can lower your
costs by up to $.08 cents per gallon. gas mileage by 1%-2%.
• Reduce drag by placing items inside • Inflate your tires to the pressure
the car or trunk rather than on roof listed in your owner’s manual or on
racks, which can decrease your fuel a sticker in the glove box or driver’s
economy by 5% or more. side door jamb. This number may
• Combine errands. Several short differ from the maximum pressure
trips, each one taken from a cold listed on your tire’s sidewall.
start, can use twice as much fuel as
one trip covering the same distance * All cost estimates assume an average price
when the engine is warm. of $3.96 per gallon. Source: fueleconomy.gov
37
• Get regular maintenance checks to
avoid fuel economy problems due to
worn spark plugs, dragging brakes,
sagging belts, low transmission
fluid, or transmission problems.
• Don’t ignore the check-engine
light—it can alert you to problems
that affect fuel economy as well
as more serious problems, even
when your vehicle seems to be
running fine.
• Replace clogged air filters on an
older car with a carbureted engine to
improve gas mileage by as much as
10% and to protect your engine.
38
References
Alternative Fuels and Advanced Energy Assessment Professionals
Vehicles Data Center
Afdc.energy.gov Nationally-certified energy auditors are
listed with the following organizations:
American Council for an
Energy-Efficient Economy Building Performance Institute
Aceee.org/consumer Bpi.org
Cool Roof Rating Council National Association of Home Builders
Coolroofs.org Nahb.com
Database of State Incentives for North American Technician Excellence
Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE) Natex.org
Dsireusa.org Residential Energy Services Network
DOE Building America Resnet.us
BuildingAmerica.gov
DOE Building Technologies Program
Buildings.energy.gov
DOE Building Technologies Program,
2010 Buildings Energy Databook
Buildingsdatabook.eren.doe.gov
DOE Energy Information Administration
Residential Energy Consumption Survey
Eia.doe.gov/emeu/recs/contents.html
DOE/EPA Fuel Economy Guide
Fueleconomy.gov
DOE Federal Energy Management Program
Eere.energy.gov/femp
DOE Office of Electricity Delivery
and Energy Reliability
Oe.energy.gov
Energy Savers
Energysavers.gov
ENERGY STAR®
Energystar.gov
Green Roofs for Healthy Cities
Greenroofs.org
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Nrel.gov
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Ornl.gov
Rocky Mountain Institute Home
Energy Briefs
Rmi.org
Smart Grid
Smartgrid.gov
39
Endnotes
1. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, The Potential
for Reducing Urban Air Temperatures and Energy
Consumption Through Vegetative Cooling, eec.ucdavis.
edu/ACEEE/1994-96/1994/VOL04/155.PDF
2. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, The Potential
for Reducing Urban Air Temperatures and Energy
Consumption Through Vegetative Cooling, eec.ucdavis.
edu/ACEEE/1994-96/1994/VOL04/155.PDF
3. Energystar.gov, Water Heater, Whole Home Gas
Tankless, energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=
find_a_product.showProductGroup&pgw_code=WH
4. 2010 Buildings Energy Data Book, buildings databook.
eren.doe.gov
5. U.S. Department of Transportation press release
March 2, 2011: Nation’s Highway Traffic Reaches
Highest Level Since 2007, www.dot.gov/affairs/2011/
fhwa0311.html
6. U.S. Energy Information Administration, U.S. Primary
Energy Flow by Source and Sector, 2009, eia.gov/
totalenergy/data/annual/pecss_diagram.cfm
40
Visit Energysavers.gov
to download this guide as a PDF and order
hardcopies in bulk quantities.