Jerry Loch: Save Money, Save Energy: It's Ten A.M. -- Do You Know What Your Water Heater Is Doing?

Cornell Cooperative Extension

Save Energy, Save Dollars

Sponsored by

EmPower New Yorksm

Save Energy, Save Dollars Jerry Loch Program Educator for Cornell Cooperative Extension Jefferson

County, NY

I’ve spent time as a son, brother, husband, father of three, grandfather of two, carpenter, mental health executive, vocalist, camp director, musician, truck driver, student, pastor, cook, youth leader, electrician, sailor, cryogenic researcher, teacher, storyteller, writer, amateur actor, and all around curious and grateful person.


Workshop Goals Identify Biggest Home Energy Users List Actions That You Can Take to Help

Reduce Home Energy Use and Cost Answer Questions About Energy Use Dispel myths about energy practices

Where Your Home Energy

Dollars Go Refrigerator8%

Lights8%

Other Appliances

28%

Water Heating

14%

Heating and Air

Conditioning42%


Energy Action Areas

Space Heating Hot Water Appliances Lighting



Heating our homes is typically our highest energy cost. Action areas:

Heating System Insulation Air Leakage

Where are our Energy Dollars Going?


Heating System Energy Actions

Have oil heating system serviced yearly; natural gas every 2 years

Make sure that all vents are kept unblocked.

Change or clean filters regularly

Bleed radiators

Seal seams of ducts.


Furnace Filters sometimes set on a tray above the fan (left) and sometimes slide into a slot next to the furnace (right).


Bleeding hot water radiators


Sealing edges of duct work and insulating ducts improves efficiency.


Lowering your thermostat really does save you money!

For every degree lower you set your thermostat for 24 hours, you save 3% of your heating costs.

For every degree you set back the thermostat when you leave the house for 8 hours or while you sleep, you save 1%

Save Energy, Save DollarsThermostat Energy Actions: Keep your heat at the lowest

comfortable temperature when home and awake.

Dress in layers of clothing rather than turning up the thermostat.

Set the temperature lower while you sleep and while away.

Consider installing a programmable thermostat.


Insulation Check-Up

Insulation in our walls & attic can have a

significant impact in reducing our energy

costs. And it lasts for decades!

Some insulation can be done by yourself;

you may also choose to hire a contractor

Assistance may be available for families on

a limited income.

Certified Building Performance Contractors and weatherization agencies use professional tools such as blower doorsto tell where the leaks are in your home.

Home Performance Evaluation


Energy Saving Resources –

Weatherization Assistance Program EmPower New Yorksm

Assisted Home Performance with ENERGY STAR®

Community Resources

Air leakage:The “StackEffect”


Caulk interior cracks Make sure windows are latched securely Weatherstrip or rope caulk leaky windows Patch or tape broken panes of glass Install plastic sheeting on windows Install sweeps or weatherstripping on doors Install gaskets on wall outlets and light

switches

Do-it-Yourself Actions to Reduce Drafts


Hot Water Savings Set hot water temperature to 120° Insulate your water heater and

pipes Use less hot water Day/Night meter option (NYSEG) Hotter it is the quicker it cools off.


Caution:

Be sure circuit breaker is OFF before adjusting electric hot water tank!


Hot Water Reduce Amount Used

Leaks Shut off flow Decrease shower time Install energy saver showerheads &

aerators Use cold or warm water alternative


What appliances do we have in our home?

Which ones do we think are the big users?

How much do they cost to run?

Ten years of using a waterbed can cost $2024!!

Appliances


When buying appliances, choose ENERGY STAR® Products


Refrigerator/Freezer Actions Clean Condenser Coils Clean Door Seals Avoid buying used refrigerators--

Buy a new ENERGY STAR® refrigerator instead.

Check temperature: 0-F. freezer and 40-F .

.


Second Refrigerators and Freezers

A second older appliance can typically cost a family $140-$250 dollars a year. Unplug it if it is not needed.

If your Freezer usage is seasonal, consider unplugging for part of the year.


Dishwashers

Wash full loads If available, use shorter cycles Let your dishes air dry


Clothes Washers

Water Temperature: Wash clothes in cold water. Whites, add bleach after a few minutes of washing.

Wash full loads, or adjust water level.


Clothes Dryers

Clean lint trap Dry two or more

loads in a row. Use automatic cycle Dryer sheets can

clog Check your dryer

vent pipe for blockage


Cooking:

Microwave ovens save energy when cooking small meals. The savings reduce as the meals get larger.

Other energy actions Match pan size to unit Use oven to capacity


Comfort Appliances

Room Air Conditioner 8hrs/day=$33.70/mo Ceiling or Box Fan 8hrs/day= 2.59/mo Elec. Space Heater 8hrs/day= 46.66/mo Electric Blanket 8hrs/nite= 1.73/mo Water Bed (on all the time) 16.87/mo

Comfort Appliance Actions

•Use fans instead of air conditioners

•Do not use electric space heaters

•Eliminate waterbed



Television 6 hours/day=$2.59-$6.42/month

A TV left on for 8 hours, either during the day as “company” or while you sleep = $41-$102 per year!

Computers

•Can be high consumers of electricity

•Keeping your computer turned on all the time is unnecessary.

•Keeping your computer on is expensive.

•Be Energy Smart: Turn off your computer when it is not in use.



Vampire Appliances

When They’re Off,They’re NOT Off

?

Standby Power


Lighting

Use ENERGY STAR® Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs

Use Task Lighting Turn off Lights Use Nightlights

…And check the label.


Conserve a LittleSave a Lot


Summary Review the actions that we’ve discussed Choose 3-5 actions that are right for you Fill out your action plan Take the actions that you’ve chosen. Smart energy choices = lower energy

bills!

Save Energy, Save DollarsHome Energy Websites

http://www.getenergysmart.org http://homeenergysaver.lbl.gov/ http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumerinfo/energy_savers/

intro.html http://www.ornl.gov/roofs+walls/insulation/ins_01.html http://www.cce.cornell.edu/housing/ http://www.energystar.gov/


Cornell Cooperative Extension

Local Contact Information

Technology

Jerry Loch: Save Money, Save Energy: It's Ten A.M. -- Do You Know What Your Water Heater Is Doing?