Residential En er gy Conservation Workshop

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ResidentialResidential EnEnerergygy Conservation Conservation WorkshopWorkshop

content provided bycontent provided by

The Pennsylvania Department The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protectionof Environmental Protection

Office of Energy and Technology Deployment

Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Kathleen A. McGinty, SecretaryPennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Kathleen A. McGinty, Secretary

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Presented by:

<your organization>

ResidentialResidential EnEnerergygy Conservation WorkshopConservation Workshop

Content provided by the Pennsylvania Department Content provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protectionof Environmental Protection

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Where do we use Energy?


Content provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental ProtectionContent provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection

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First things first: how much Energy did you use last year?

– For Heating?• Natural Gas, Propane, Fuel Oil, Electricity

– For Lighting & Appliances?• Electricity


Content provided by the Pennsylvania Content provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental ProtectionDepartment of Environmental Protection

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What did you pay last year for Energy? – Add up your bills from last year– The average PA resident spent around $2000 in 2004– Your heating energy component will likely increase at

least 21% meaning $2280 this year • Unless conservation measures are taken



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Why have energy costs risen?– Weather

• Katrina• Rita

– Increased Demand• China• India



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Some Tips on Saving Money this WinterSome Tips on Saving Money this Winter


Content provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Content provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental ProtectionEnvironmental Protection

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TWO Avenues….

• Things you can do

• Services provided by others



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Things You Can Do…– No Cost Energy Savers– Low Cost Energy Savers

Financial Info…– Federal Energy Bill of 2005– Weatherization Program– LIHEAP



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Things you can do…

– No Cost Energy Savers• Combined - will save around

10%



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No Cost Energy Savers…

Landscaping– Trim or remove evergreens and shrubs that

block out the sun• But only if they are not needed more for

summer shade or as a windscreen• Only applies to sunny side of house



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Drapes & Curtains– Close draperies at night and on cloudy days– Open them on sunny days

• But only for windows that receive sunlight• But only while the sunlight is coming in• Keep those sunny side windows clean



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Living Space Choices– Use a sunny room as living space

• All the time or for activities on particularly cold days

• Dark upholstered furniture and rugs will soak up the heat when placed in a sunny spot

• This allows you to set back the thermostat



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Clothing Choices– Wear layers of clothing

• A sweater over a shirt over an undergarment • Air trapped between clothing layers is a good

insulator• Dark clothing will soak up the heat when you sit

in a sunny spot



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Sleeping Choices– Use more blankets in bed at night

• Turn the thermostat down• Keep warm without having to heat the whole house• Using a space heater in the bedroom is not a good

solution – the blankets keep the heat from you and there is an increased possibility for accidents such as fire or burns



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Storm Windows– Don’t forget to install your storm doors/windows

• The extra panels insulate• The extra panels prevent drafts

– Infiltration can be 25% of heat losses



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Attic Door– Make sure the door or hatch to the attic seals well and

closes tightly• A gap around this door can leak worse than

others due to the stack effect• Sealing it will slow or prevent outside air from

coming in at other cracks



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Radiators & Heaters– Uncover heating units; don’t block them– Clean around fins and coils– When painting radiators, use darker colors– Put reflectors/lighter colored paint behind heaters

located on exterior walls



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Thermostat Settings– Lower your thermostat by two or three degrees – or

more - as much as you can stand; keep it above 55 if possible

• Each degree lowered can save 3% on heating



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Thermostat Setbacks– Set your thermostat to 64 degrees - or lower

• While you're away• While you sleep• Unless there are health issues



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Water Heater Setting– Lower the water heater thermostat

• To the lowest level that meets your hot water needs –usually midway between the "low" and "medium" settings

• 10 degree drop saves 5% on water heating costs • Check the hot water temperature - 120° is usually

sufficient and is safer for children than any higher setting



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Clothes Washer– Wash full loads of laundry only – don’t overfill though

• Half load uses almost as much energy as full load– Wash clothes on warm or cold setting - try the new cold

water laundry detergents



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Dishwashers– Wash full loads of dishes only

• Half load uses almost as much energy as full load– Use the no-heat air-dry setting– Hand-washing often uses more water than a

dishwasher



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Clothes Dryers– Hang laundry whenever possible– Dry clothes by weight (follow tags too!)– Clean the lint trap after each load – and the vent pipe

periodically– Don’t vent the dryer indoors

• Puts too much moisture indoors• Condensation issues and possible mold



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Household Exhaust Fans– Don’t run bath or stove fans any longer than

necessary• They exhaust heated air from the house

– Make sure bath moisture is exhausted by closing the bathroom door and opening the window

• Only displaces air in the bathroom



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Refrigerators– Check the temperature settings– Too low a setting uses extra energy

• Freezer section should be 0° to 5°• Refrigerated section should be 35° to 40°

– Clean the condenser coils in the back– Clean the door gaskets to ensure a good seal – use a thin film of

dish soap to help keep it sticky – and therefore closed!



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Computers– Make sure the Energy Management software is

installed and operating– Set the software to make the PC hibernate or sleep

after 20 or 30 minutes– Turn the PC power off if not used for more than a day



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Fireplace– If you do not have an “insert,” avoid using the

fireplace • Fireplaces remove warm air from the home• Most fireplaces – even those that use outside

air – are not highly efficient at burning the fuel– When not in use, tightly close the damper and

consider sealing it off during the coldest months



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Things you can do…

– Low Cost Energy Savers• $2 to $8 costs for most• 1/2 to 2 year payback



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Low Cost Energy Savers…

Main Enemy - INFILTRATION



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Low Cost Energy Savers…Find and stop infiltration



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Window Kits– Install plastic window coverings – inside or out

• Stop infiltration – big enemy on old homes• $2 to $5• May be the BEST energy saver!



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Low Cost Energy Savers…Window Kits



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Door Seals– Replace gaskets (sides) and sweeps or sills (bottom)

• $3 to $9• Helps prevent infiltration



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Low Cost Energy Savers…Door Seals



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Dripping Faucets– Replace gaskets or seals, especially on hot water

• $2 to $5• Leaks can cost up to $4 per month!



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Exterior Caulking– Remove & replace old cracked caulking

• Use Latex w/silicone– Inside and outside; doors & windows

• $2 to $4 per tube• Will prevent infiltration of cold air



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Low Cost Energy Savers…Exterior Caulking



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Fill Cracks– Fill larger cracks and gaps with foam– Inside and outside; around hose bibs, dryer

vents, etc.– Dried foam trims easily

• $4 to $5 per can• Will stop infiltration of cold air



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Low Cost Energy Savers…Foam Sealant



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Wall Plate Gaskets– Install foam gaskets behind wall plates– Exterior walls especially; maybe all on

old homes• $2 to $3 per dozen• Will minimize infiltration of cold air



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Low Cost Energy Savers…Wall Plate Gaskets



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HVAC Air Filters– Replace air filters regularly– Plugged filters require more fan energy– Slower air flow makes furnace run longer

• $4 per filter• Will clean air better with less energy



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Low Cost Energy Savers…HVAC Air Filters



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Lighting– Replace high use incandescent bulbs with compact

fluorescent lamps• $4 to $7 per lamp• Cost 1/8th to operate• Last for YEARS!



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Low Cost Energy Savers…Lighting



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Lighting Controls– Replace standard switches with dimmers or

occupancy sensors• $7 to $28 per switch• Not for regular fluorescent lighting, some

special fluorescent will work, read label of bulb



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Shower Head– Install a low flow shower head

• $5 to $9• Can save $5 per month per person



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Low Cost Energy Savers…Shower Head



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Water Heater– If not new, install an insulation jacket

• $20– Insulate first 10 feet of hot water pipe

• Only if not in heated area• $5 to $8


Content provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental ProtectionContent provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection

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Low Cost Energy Savers…Water Heater



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Programmable Thermostat– Replace manual t-stat with programmable*

• $20 to $50• Auto temp setback for overnight and away hours• ALWAYS pays for itself within months * Be careful when removing the old one, many contain

mercury – place mercury bulb in bubble wrap in a plastic jar or bottle, label it and take it to household hazardous waste collection



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Low Cost Energy Savers…Programmable Thermostat



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Furnace Service– Have furnace burner serviced and tuned

• $50 to $100• Almost always a 10% fuel reduction• Not the lowest cost – but big payback



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Things you can do…– No Cost Energy Savers– Low Cost Energy Savers

– Many and varied– When needed, have short payback



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Financial Info…– Federal Energy Bill of 2005– Weatherization Program– LIHEAP



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Federal Energy Bill of 2005

– Tax deductions up to $500 on residential energy improvements such as insulation, water heaters, furnaces, heat pumps, etc.

– Residential solar energy credit up to $2000– Wait until Jan 1, 2006 for installation

• Do high payback items NOW! – Consult your tax advisor



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Weatherization Program– What is it?

• Program run by trained professionals• Conduct home energy audits• Determine course of action for homes• Install/repair to reduce energy use• Train homeowners/renters on ways to reduce

energy use



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Weatherization Program– Who runs it?

• A county-based weatherization team• Funded by PA and Fed Gov’t• Office in Delaware, Montgomery and Bucks

Counties, two in Philadelphia, and anther one that serves a number of counties including Chester



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Weatherization Program– What are the benefits of it?

• Saves homes $215 per year on average– Probably closer to $300 this year

• Reduces US dependence on imported oil• Boosts local economies

– Frees up residents cash– Businesses supply products

• Reduces pollution thru energy savings



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Weatherization Program– Who is eligible?

• Low income families/households• Homeowners or renters• Family income guidelines:

– 1 person - $14,355– 2 persons - $19,245– 3 persons – $24,135– 4 persons - $29,025– $4890 addl per dependent thereafter



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Weatherization Program

– How do I apply?• Contact the following:• <Name, Address, Phone number of

organization here>



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LIHEAP– What is it?

• A program of financial assistance• Dedicated to offsetting heating costs• Award amounts based on need



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LIHEAP– Who runs it?

• Operated by Dept of Public Welfare• Funded by PA & Fed Government• Office in all Counties



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LIHEAP– Who is eligible?

• Low income families/households• Homeowners or renters• Household income guidelines:

– 1 person - $12,920– 2 persons - $17,321– 3 persons – $21,722– $4401 addl per dependent thereafter


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LIHEAP– How do I apply?

• Contact the following:• XXX County Assistance Office

AddressCity, PA 1XXXX

• Phone: (XXX) XXX-XXX• Online: www.compass.state.pa.us



http://www.compass.state.pa.us/

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Questions?


www.staywarmpa.comwww.energystar.govwww.eere.energy.gov/buildings/info/homes/index.htmlwww.ase.org/taxcredits


http://www.staywarmpa.com/

http://www.energystar.gov/

http://www.energystar.gov/

http://www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/info/homes/index.html

http://www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/info/homes/index.html

http://www.ase.org/taxcredits

Documents

Residential En er gy Conservation Workshop