Keep Warm Illinois

Eileen Westervelt, PE, CEM

University of Illinois

Electric Air Conditioning

11%

Refrigeration8%

Water Heating13%

Appliances and Lighting

34%

Heating34%

Home Utility Cost Breakout

No Cost Ways to Save Turn down your thermostat to 68

degrees Every 1% setback = 3% savings on heating bill Wear warm clothing to stay comfortable Set the thermostat back to 55 degrees when

away or sleeping (save 5-20%)

Low Cost Ways to Save Replace or clean furnace filters once a

month. Dirty filters restrict airflow and increase energy

use. Now is also the time for a furnace "tune-up."

Keeping your furnace clean, lubricated and properly adjusted will reduce energy use, saving up to 5 percent of heating costs.

No Cost Ways to Save Reduce hot water temperature to

120º. Save 7-11 % of water heating costs. Insulate water supply line (first 5 feet)

Use cold water when washing clothes. ~16% of home energy cost is for water

heating Keep clothes dryer free of lint Keep dryer vent free of obstructions.

Low Cost Ways to Save Perform a Do-it-Yourself Home Energy

Audit at http://hes.lbl.gov

No Cost Ways to Save Take a 5 minute shower instead of a

bath Let the sun in.

Open drapes and shades on the sunny side during the day. Close at night.

Remove window air conditioning units for the winter. Remove to prevent heat from escaping through

and around the unit. If it cannot be moved, buy a cover to prevent

drafts.

No Cost Ways to Save

Close your fireplace flue. Keep closed except when not in use. Also shut fire place doors if installed.

Use your ceiling fan. Run blades counter-clockwise in winter to

push warm air down into the room. Run clockwise in the summer When purchasing new ceiling fans,

consider an ENERGY STAR model

No Cost Ways to Save

Put your computer to sleep. Activate "sleep" when not in use for a while. Turn off equipment during longer periods of

non-use to cut energy costs and improve longevity.

Don’t waste hot water. Adjust load size on washer to fit actual load.

No Cost Ways to Save

Flip the switch. Turn off appliances when not in use:

lights, TVs, VCRs or DVDs, computers, other electronics.

Keep vent space clean & clear. Make sure draperies, furniture or rugs

aren’t blocking air. Clean regularly with a vacuum or a

broom.

No Cost Ways to Save Clean Refrigerator Coils

Condenser coils are located in the back of older refrigerators and at the bottom of most new ones. They should be periodically cleaned with a vacuum or brush. Be sure to unplug the refrigerator when cleaning the coils.

Low Cost Ways to Save Caulk is cheap. Seal around

windows, doors, and exterior walls near the floor, electrical outlets and plumbing penetrations. (Save 18-30% on heating.) Caulk works best on small gaps. Use low expansion foam product to

seal larger openings.

Where to look for air leaks.

Low Cost Ways to Save

Low Cost Ways to Save

Check the yellow energy label on your water heater. A low efficiency water heater

could use an insulation blanket.

Low Cost Ways to Save

Insulate Water Heater & Pipes

Low Cost Ways to Save

Seal leaks with mastic or aluminum tape

Insulation

Tape seams

Seal and Insulate Ducts

Low Cost Ways to Save

Go low flow. Install low-flow showerheads and sink aerators.

Repair leaky faucets promptly – save water, money, and energy.

No storm windows? Use plastic window kits (plastic film or rigid) to insulate.

Low Cost Ways to Save Install an ENERGY STAR

programmable thermostat: Temperature automatically sets back

when asleep or away. Consider ENERGY STAR labeled

appliances - use less energy, save money, and help the environment.

Change a Light. Replace incandescent light bulbs with comparable compact fluorescent lamps.

Compact Fluorescent Lamps CFLs use far less

energy Have comparable

brightness and color rendition vs. incandescents.

Can directly replace standard incandescent bulbs.

Incandescent CFL

25 Watt = 5 Watt

50 Watt = 9 Watt

60 Watt = 15 Watt

75 Watt = 20 Watt

100 Watt = 25 Watt

120 Watt = 28 Watt

150 Watt = 39 Watt

Comprehensive Ways to Save Check your insulation:

Check attic, ceilings, exterior and basement walls, floors, and crawl spaces vs. insulation levels recommended for your area.

R-values—the higher the R-value, the better your house will resist the transfer of heat.

DOE recommends ranges of R-values based on local energy costs and climate conditions.

See Zip Code Insulation Calculator, for economic insulation levels

Comprehensive Ways to Save Increase your attic

insulation. Easiest and most cost-effective

insulation option. If less than R-19 (6 inches of

fiber glass or rock wool or 5 inches of cellulose), more could help.

Consider insulating exterior walls. If attic insulated but home still

drafty and cold in the winter, or too warm in the summer, add insulation to the exterior walls.

Adding Insulation

Recommended Insulation Levels

Comprehensive Ways to Save Keep your furnace operating

efficiently: Seasonal Inspection. Heating and cooling = half of the energy

costs for the average home. Ask for “temperature-rise check” to be sure

your furnace is operating in the range set by the manufacturer.

Comprehensive Ways to Save Look for the ENERGY STAR:

Consider replacing old gas appliances with ENERGY STAR® models.

If gas water heater > 12 years, consider replacement. Look for the Energy Factor (EF)- the higher, the more efficient.

If furnace > 15 years, consider an ENERGY STAR rated model - about 15 % more efficient vs. standard.

Should You Replace Your Furnace? If furnace >10 years and repair costs > $500,

replace rather than repair. If your furnace is old but not

broken, deciding when to replace it can be difficult: Average life of furnaces: 16 -20 years. Boilers life: 30 years. Start shopping before life is over, so

you won’t make a hasty decision

Replacing your furnace? Emergency shopping can be costly If house is large with high heating bills, may

be cost-effective to purchase a high efficiency model now.

If repairing furnace, look for a heating professional who has experience with your type of heating system.

Comprehensive Ways to Save Contact a Home Energy

Rater. An energy audit of your

home will identify best investments.

Visit the Illinois Association of Energy Raters website at http://www.ilenergyraters.org for more information.

When Buying New Appliances Check the EnergyGuide label.

Estimated yearly energy consumption and cost.

Your actual energy consumption and cost will vary.

Scale for comparison with other models

Energy Assistance Programs Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program

(LIHEAP): Illinois LIHEAP helps eligible households pay for

winter energy services. One-time benefit based on income, household size,

fuel type, and geographic location. One-time reconnection assistance for households

disconnected after nonpayment. Administered by the Illinois Department of

Healthcare and Family Services. Funding provided by local community action agencies or not-for-profit agencies.

Inquire: 800-252-8643.

Energy Assistance Programs Illinois Home Weatherization

Assistance Program (IHWAP): Helps low income residents save fuel and

money, while increasing the comfort of their homes.

Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the state supplemental Energy Assistance Fund.

Weatherization services provided by local community action agencies or not-for-profit agencies.

http://www.weatherizationillinois.com/community.html

Tax Incentives Energy Policy Act of 2005 has energy efficiency

incentives for existing homes. Average home loses 10 - 50 % of its energy through

inadequate insulation and inefficient lights and appliances. Energy bill offers consumers tax credits for making energy

efficiency improvements in homes. Ten percent cost-based credit to for energy

improvements (limit $500): $200 for windows. $50 for advanced main air circulating fan. $150 for furnace or hot water boiler. $300 for any energy-efficient building property,

including heat pumps; central air conditioners; and water heaters.

Tax Incentives (con’t) Qualified improvements meet efficiency criteria in

International Energy Conservation Code (metal roof - meets ENERGY STAR requirements).

A thirty percent credit ($2,000 limit) for renewable energy systems put into service in 2006 and 2007: residential solar photovoltaic systems solar water heating systems (not for swimming pools or hot

tubs). Labor costs, assembly, or original installation may qualify. Systems put into service in taxable year. Components shall remain in use for at least five years. The tax credit goes into effect on January 1, 2006 and expires

on December 31, 2007.

Winter Storm Preparedness Gather emergency supplies for work or home:

A battery-powered radio (NOAA Weather or commercial) and extra batteries.

Foods that don’t require cooking or refrigeration. Include high-energy foods such as dried fruit and candy.

Extra medications and special items for babies, the disabled or elderly.

Water in clean containers Flashlights with extra batteries Rock salt Sand

http://www.keepwarm.illinois.gov/Preparedness.cfm

http://www.keepwarm.illinois.gov/