Saving Energy in Your Home—and Saving the Planet
- In This Quick Guide:
- Roofing
- Windows, Doors, Awnings
- Inside the House
- Upgrade Your Water Heater
- Unplug, Unplug, Unplug
Saving energy in your home is not only cost-effective, it can help the planet. You can do many things to create a more energy-efficient and healthy home environment. Even the smallest changes you make can go a long way toward improving indoor air quality as well as conserving your home energy bill. In this guide you will find a number of fixes you can do, both large and small to live more efficiently.
Roofing
You may not realize it, but roofs are one of the least energy-efficient things about houses these days. But all is not lost—here are some ways you can improve your roof:
- Dark-colored shingles pull solar heat into the home, which is a good solution for really cold climates, but for most homes, light colors are a better choice because they reflect heat, making it that much easier to cool the interior of a home during warm months.
- Reflective finishes can be applied to some roofing surfaces to reduce roof and interior temperatures. For example, white acrylic or aluminum-based silver paint applied to asphalt roofs to increase reflectivity of solar radiation, reducing the roof temperature by as much as 15 degrees Fahrenheit. It also protects the asphalt from deterioration and reduces the need to cool the building.
- Radiant foil barriers applied under the roof will direct the sun’s hottest rays away from the home as well as heat in the home during winter months, considerably increasing efficiency. Radiant foil barrier material costs about 10 cents per square foot before installation; it’s an inexpensive fix that makes a big difference in your energy bill.
- Ridge vents along the top roofline with screened vents under the roof overhang work well with or without the barrier to move breezes up through the roof area and keep hot air from stalling over the house. These vents cost an additional $3 to $4 per foot, plus installation.
- Metal roofs reflect heat and lasts many years longer than shingles. If you’re collecting water as it runs off the roof, metal is a better choice to use because the water won’t pick up asphalt from shingles on its way to the collection gutters.
- Photovoltaic (PV) cells (solar shingles) can be used to provide roofing protection and collect solar energy at the same time. The PV cells collect the solar heat and send it to a DC inverter, which converts into electricity that is compatible with household usage needs. Solar roofs can be installed for nearly the same cost as a conventional roof thanks to local, state, and federal incentives and tax credits.
Windows, Doors, Awnings
Most people know about sealing their windows and doors to make them less drafty, but here are some other improvements that can also help:
- Awnings or shade trees protect your windows from sun and are relatively simple and cost-effective ways to reduce your energy usage. Select awnings that you can raise or lower to either invite or discourage the sunlight’s entry into your home. Sturdy awnings made of metal can double as hurricane shutters or wind shields to protect windows in climates with intense weather. You can also buy wooden or canvas awnings or build an arbor to support plants that vine to shade the window.
- Double-pane windows help insulate your home. Both in winter and in summer, it’s essential that windows be tightly sealed to protect against heat and cooling loss.
- Tinted or film-covered windows can protect your home from the sun’s rays, but remember that they will also block warmth in winter.
- Open doors and windows whenever possible to refresh your home and maintain healthy indoor air quality. Using ceiling fans to move the air through the home will help to keep your family feeling cooler, too.
Inside the House
There are some simple steps you can take in your home to reduce energy consumption:
- Add insulation. Insulation helps prevent the flow of heat into or out of the home. New environmentally friendly foam insulation can be professionally blown into hard-to-reach walls and attics. Also many insulation products are made from recycled materials such as paper, fabric, even Styrofoam. Increase the insulation value of your home to R-30 for temperate climates or as high as R-38 for colder climates, especially in the ceiling and attic to protect from heat loss. You can learn more about finding the appropriate R-value (or heat Resistance) you need from the U.S. Department of Energy at www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/insulation_airsealing/index.cfm/mytopic=11320?.
- Adjust the thermostat. You can reduce your energy usage by 5 to 15 percent by raising the thermostat temperature to about 78 degrees Fahrenheit in summer and lowering it to 68 degrees Fahrenheit in winter. If you do this at least during times when you’re sleeping or not at home, you can extend the time when your heating and cooling system is not in use. Replacing older thermostats with a programmable model can reduce energy use, too.
- Use compact fluorescent lightbulbs. Compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs) use about 70 percent less energy and last many years longer than standard bulbs. Better still, you can make this quick, simple change in an afternoon without the help of a contractor or professional. Begin by replacing the bulbs that are on the longest each day.
- Buy Energy Star appliances. Energy Star–rated appliances include documents stating the energy usage and cost you can expect; use these to calculate your savings, and take that into consideration against cost when making your final decisions. If an appliance has the Energy Star logo, you know it’s passed the energy efficiency standards of the U.S. EPA Energy Star Program, the current benchmark for efficiency in the United States.
- Consider gas. In cases where gas is readily available, it can be more economical and more efficient than electricity. Gas is plentiful in the United States; however, accessing natural gas supplies does require some mining, which can be invasive in some areas. Evaluate your local situation to determine whether gas or electric appliances will provide the best cost and energy savings to you.
Upgrade Your Water Heater
Water heaters can use large amounts of energy. Here are some ways to cut back:
- Solar water heaters are highly recommended as an immediate way to reduce energy costs. Although the solar heater will cost more than a conventional water heater at purchase time, after a few years of energy savings, the solar heater will have paid for itself.
- Tankless water heaters use a network of water pipes to keep water circulating through the house at all times and heat water instantly when you turn on the tap. This system eliminates the very inefficient process of keeping 40 gallons of water hot night and day in case it’s needed, which consumes about 20 percent of your energy bill. These systems are more expensive than conventional water heaters, but will reduce energy costs by 10 to 30 percent over time. You can find these alongside conventional water heaters, ranging in price from $200 for under-the-sink models to $600 to $1,000 and up for whole-house units.
- Thermal or insulated blankets wrapped around water heaters and pipes can minimize the heat and energy loss and increase the benefit, since conventional water heaters lose about half the energy it expends to keep water warm. This is especially effective in colder climates. Be sure to locate your water heater in a heated space of the home, rather than in an unheated garage, where it will have to work harder to keep water warm.
Unplug, Unplug, Unplug
Many small appliances, such as computers and stereos, have instant-on features that cause them to constantly use electricity. Many people assume that it’s harmful to power off their computer every day, but in fact, it’s good to give the machine the chance to untangle its memory storage and refresh for a new day. Plus, you’re cutting your energy usage considerably if you power down at night instead of leaving the machine on. Most small appliances have sleep modes that use very little energy when engaged. But for a dramatic drop in energy usage, you must unplug some items, including cell phone chargers and all other chargers, when not in use.
Even making a few of these adjustments can save you big money on energy costs and help save the planet! Improving your life and the world around you—isn’t that what it’s all about? Happy greening!
From The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Green Living by Trish Riley
