September 2005

Fatten your wallet with savvy energy use

As if soaring gasoline prices were not enough for most of us, staying cool in the recent hot weather has resulted in increased energy use and electric bills. However, we can exert some control over the amount of electricity we use.

CUTTING POWER USE

HEATING AND COOLING

Even if you have installed an energy-efficient air-conditioning unit, you may be losing conditioned air from loose or uninsulated ductwork. Ductwork is the network of tubes that carries heated and cooled air from the furnace to the rooms of the house. Because ducts are often located in un-air-conditioned spaces like attics, basements or crawl spaces, they are often forgotten.

• If you have an older house with metal ducts that have not been insulated or that may be loose at the joints, it is a good idea to have your ducts sealed and insulated. If you have a newer house, you may still have broken or disconnected ductwork. An inspection of your ductwork system can be performed by a licensed heating and cooling contractor.

• Consider installing a programmable thermostat. According to the Department of Energy, "you can save as much as 10 percent a year on heating and cooling bills by simply turning your thermostat back 10 percent to 15 percent for eight hours."

• Don't place lamps or TVs close to thermostats. The heat these appliances emit will cause the air-conditioning system to operate when not needed.

• If you use room air conditioners, allow them to run. Surprisingly, room air conditioners operate more efficiently if they maintain a consistent temperature instead of being turned on and off.

• During seasons when it is cool at night, using a whole-house fan to draw cool air into the house is more efficient than using air conditioners.

WINDOWS

Energy loss through windows typically accounts for a major portion of your energy bill.

• Consider replacing old, inefficient windows with energy-efficient double-pane windows. When choosing new windows, look for low-emissivity (low-e) or spectrally selective coatings on the glass. These coatings will reduce heat radiation through the glass or block the infrared portion of sunlight without affecting the visible portion.

• If window replacement is not practical, consider closing curtains during the day or installing awnings on south- and west-facing windows.

• Low-emissivity or reflective coatings can be installed on windows. These coatings are typically installed on the interior of the windows to avoid weather damage. To avoid wrinkles, it is recommended that these coatings be professionally installed.

LIGHTING

• Consider replacing your light bulbs. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, compact fluorescent light bulbs are four times more efficient and can last six to 10 times longer than conventional incandescent bulbs. Although CFLs are slightly more expensive, the initial cost will be recovered over time.

• Be sure to turn off lights when leaving a room. Timers or photocells can also be used to turn lights off automatically when not in use.

• Allowing more daylight into the house reduces the need for artificial lighting. Installing curtains with lighter fabric is one way to allow more natural light into a room. Another way is to paint with light colors that reflect more light and make a room brighter.

• Use more task lighting. You can save energy by lighting areas only as needed.

INSULATION

Consider adding insulation to attics and basements or crawl spaces. Aim for the following R-values: R-30 in attics, R-13 in walls and R-19 in the floors above basements and crawl spaces.

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