QUICK FIXES/HOME ENERGY CHECKLISTS Quick Fixes/Home Energy Checklists. Today. ☐. Turn down the temperature of your water heater to the warm setting (120-degrees Fahrenheit). You'll not only save energy, you'll avoid scalding your hands. ☐. Start using energy-saving settings on refrigerators, dishwashers, washing ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT From 1973 to 1986, the U.S. gross national product grew 36% with no increase in energy use at all. Had efficiencies remained at 1973 levels, we would be spending an extra $150 billion in energy bills each year and pumping 1 1⁄2 times more CO 2 into the atmosphere! We are already saving the equivalent of 13 million barrels of oil each

day

CHOOSING THE RIGHT BULB Light bulb efficiency, referred to as efficacy, is stated in terms of light output in lumens per watt of energy consumed. While traditional incandescent lamps provide about 15 lumens per watt (lpw), halogen incandescents achieve about 20 lpw. CFLs represent a leap in efficacy, offering 55 to 65 lpw. As of 2017, LEDs are able to maintain 78-130 IMPROVING INDOOR AIR QUALITY VENTILATION AND AIR DISTRIBUTION Ventilation and Air Distribution. When you think about it, energy efficiency is not just about saving money on energy bills, it is really about using less energy to protect human health, assure comfort, and protect your house from damage. As air moves through your house, it removes pollutants that include odors, gases, particles, and

(most

FEDERAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY TAX INCENTIVES Federal Energy Efficiency Tax Incentives. Since 2005 consumers and businesses have been able to save money on their federal income taxes for a variety of energy efficiency investments. Here is a brief list; for more information on efficiency criteria, eligible homes and vehicles, incentive amounts, etc., we refer you to the links below. TYPES OF HEATING SYSTEMS A furnace works by blowing heated air through ducts that deliver the warm air to rooms throughout the house via air registers or grills. This type of heating system is called a ducted warm-air or forced warm-air distribution system. It can be powered by electricity, natural gas, or fuel oil. Inside a gas- or oil-fired furnace, the fuel

is mixed

INDOOR AIR POLLUTANTS According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the top five air quality problems in the U.S. are all indoor air problems. Common residential indoor pollutants include excessive moisture, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), combustion products, radon, pesticides, dust particles, viruses, and bacteria. All of these are known to affect

human

PROPER VENTILATION FOR GAS APPLIANCES Proper ventilation for cooking appliances is very important for indoor air quality. The range hood should ventilate to the outside and not simply recirculate and attempt to filter the cooking fumes. This is especially important with gas ranges. Whether you choose a conventional updraft hood or a downdraft hood can make a big

difference in the

TYPES OF COOLING SYSTEMS Central Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps. Central air conditioners and heat pumps are designed to cool the entire house. In each system, a large compressor unit located outside drives the process; an indoor coil filled with refrigerant cools air that is then distributed throughout the house via ducts. QUICK FIXES/HOME ENERGY CHECKLISTS Quick Fixes/Home Energy Checklists. Today. ☐. Turn down the temperature of your water heater to the warm setting (120-degrees Fahrenheit). You'll not only save energy, you'll avoid scalding your hands. ☐. Start using energy-saving settings on refrigerators, dishwashers, washing ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT From 1973 to 1986, the U.S. gross national product grew 36% with no increase in energy use at all. Had efficiencies remained at 1973 levels, we would be spending an extra $150 billion in energy bills each year and pumping 1 1⁄2 times more CO 2 into the atmosphere! We are already saving the equivalent of 13 million barrels of oil each

day

CHOOSING THE RIGHT BULB Light bulb efficiency, referred to as efficacy, is stated in terms of light output in lumens per watt of energy consumed. While traditional incandescent lamps provide about 15 lumens per watt (lpw), halogen incandescents achieve about 20 lpw. CFLs represent a leap in efficacy, offering 55 to 65 lpw. As of 2017, LEDs are able to maintain 78-130 IMPROVING INDOOR AIR QUALITY VENTILATION AND AIR DISTRIBUTION Ventilation and Air Distribution. When you think about it, energy efficiency is not just about saving money on energy bills, it is really about using less energy to protect human health, assure comfort, and protect your house from damage. As air moves through your house, it removes pollutants that include odors, gases, particles, and

(most

FEDERAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY TAX INCENTIVES Federal Energy Efficiency Tax Incentives. Since 2005 consumers and businesses have been able to save money on their federal income taxes for a variety of energy efficiency investments. Here is a brief list; for more information on efficiency criteria, eligible homes and vehicles, incentive amounts, etc., we refer you to the links below. TYPES OF HEATING SYSTEMS A furnace works by blowing heated air through ducts that deliver the warm air to rooms throughout the house via air registers or grills. This type of heating system is called a ducted warm-air or forced warm-air distribution system. It can be powered by electricity, natural gas, or fuel oil. Inside a gas- or oil-fired furnace, the fuel

is mixed

INDOOR AIR POLLUTANTS According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the top five air quality problems in the U.S. are all indoor air problems. Common residential indoor pollutants include excessive moisture, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), combustion products, radon, pesticides, dust particles, viruses, and bacteria. All of these are known to affect

human

PROPER VENTILATION FOR GAS APPLIANCES Proper ventilation for cooking appliances is very important for indoor air quality. The range hood should ventilate to the outside and not simply recirculate and attempt to filter the cooking fumes. This is especially important with gas ranges. Whether you choose a conventional updraft hood or a downdraft hood can make a big

difference in the

TYPES OF COOLING SYSTEMS Central Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps. Central air conditioners and heat pumps are designed to cool the entire house. In each system, a large compressor unit located outside drives the process; an indoor coil filled with refrigerant cools air that is then distributed throughout the house via ducts. VENTILATION AND AIR DISTRIBUTION Ventilation and Air Distribution. When you think about it, energy efficiency is not just about saving money on energy bills, it is really about using less energy to protect human health, assure comfort, and protect your house from damage. As air moves through your house, it removes pollutants that include odors, gases, particles, and

(most

WHOLE-HOUSE VENTILATION STRATEGIES Whole-House Ventilation Strategies for New Houses. Best practice among builders of modern high-performance homes in most North American climates is to build as tight as possible, and then ventilate with a well-designed mechanical system. FEDERAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY TAX INCENTIVES Federal Energy Efficiency Tax Incentives. Since 2005 consumers and businesses have been able to save money on their federal income taxes for a variety of energy efficiency investments. Here is a brief list; for more information on efficiency criteria, eligible homes and vehicles, incentive amounts, etc., we refer you to the links below.

ENERGY SAVING TIPS

In all heating systems, turn down thermostats when you don’t need the heat. In most homes, you can save about 2% of your heating bill for each degree that you lower the thermostat (if the turndown lasts a good fraction of the day or night). Turning down the thermostat from 70°F to 65°F, for example, saves about 10% ($100 saved per $1,000 of

MAINTENANCE

Upgrading Your Existing Heating System. Even if you aren’t about to go out and buy a state-of-the-art, high-efficiency heating system, it is still a good idea to hire a contractor to check out your system, perform regular tune-ups, and look for opportunities to realize substantial savings by boosting the efficiency and performance of your

present system.

ENERGY SAVING TIPS

Correction of airflow rates can improve efficiency by 5–10%. Even if an air conditioner or heat pump is installed and maintained with adequate airflow and the appropriate level of refrigerant, the unit will not operate efficiently if the duct system is in poor condition. BUYING A NEW RANGE, COOKTOP, OR OVEN Buying a New Range, Cooktop, or Oven. Reasons to consider purchasing a new range, cooktop, or oven may include a substantial change in cooking practices, failed or broken equipment, or replacement of an older gas range with a standing pilot light. If you are ready to buy a new appliance, first determine whether or not you would prefer to have

ENERGY SAVING TIPS

Turn on the shower to the usual pressure you use, hold the bucket under it and time how many seconds it takes to fill to the one-gallon mark. If it takes less than 20 seconds, your flow rate is over 3 gpm, and your shower is a good candidate for a water-saving showerhead. Many older showerheads deliver 4–5 gpm. SIGNS THAT YOU MAY HAVE AN AIR QUALITY PROBLEM The main problems to diagnose are excess infiltration (through walls or ducts), inadequate air exchange (too little ventilation), and excess moisture. Often, excess moisture speaks for itself. If you see condensation, mold, or excessive ice buildup, you know you have a TECHIE ENERGY-SAVING GIFTS THAT KEEP ON GIVING From flashy light displays to practical hardware devices, energy-efficient gifts will keep ‘giving’ long past the holiday season. Here are six gift ideas that offer efficiency—without sacrificing the wow factor. Electronic streaming devices: Streaming sticks and devices like Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire TV do way more than cue up Netflix. SMARTER HOUSESTART HEREAPPLIANCES + ENERGYHOME SYSTEMS + ENERGYRESOURCESDISHWASHINGFOOD STORAGE Lighting. Lighting costs the typical household between $75 and $200 per year in electricity. Making the switch to energy-efficient lighting is one of the quickest, easiest, and least expensive ways to cut your home’s energy use. Laundry. Most of the energy used to wash clothes is for heating the water. ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT From 1973 to 1986, the U.S. gross national product grew 36% with no increase in energy use at all. Had efficiencies remained at 1973 levels, we would be spending an extra $150 billion in energy bills each year and pumping 1 1⁄2 times more CO 2 into the atmosphere! We are already saving the equivalent of 13 million barrels of oil each

day

CHOOSING THE RIGHT BULB Light bulb efficiency, referred to as efficacy, is stated in terms of light output in lumens per watt of energy consumed. While traditional incandescent lamps provide about 15 lumens per watt (lpw), halogen incandescents achieve about 20 lpw. CFLs represent a leap in efficacy, offering 55 to 65 lpw. As of 2017, LEDs are able to maintain 78-130 QUICK FIXES/HOME ENERGY CHECKLISTS Quick Fixes/Home Energy Checklists. Today. ☐. Turn down the temperature of your water heater to the warm setting (120-degrees Fahrenheit). You'll not only save energy, you'll avoid scalding your hands. ☐. Start using energy-saving settings on refrigerators, dishwashers, washing INDOOR AIR POLLUTANTS According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the top five air quality problems in the U.S. are all indoor air problems. Common residential indoor pollutants include excessive moisture, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), combustion products, radon, pesticides, dust particles, viruses, and bacteria. All of these are known to affect

human

TYPES OF HEATING SYSTEMS A furnace works by blowing heated air through ducts that deliver the warm air to rooms throughout the house via air registers or grills. This type of heating system is called a ducted warm-air or forced warm-air distribution system. It can be powered by electricity, natural gas, or fuel oil. Inside a gas- or oil-fired furnace, the fuel

is mixed

WHOLE-HOUSE VENTILATION STRATEGIES VENTILATION AND AIR DISTRIBUTION Ventilation and Air Distribution. When you think about it, energy efficiency is not just about saving money on energy bills, it is really about using less energy to protect human health, assure comfort, and protect your house from damage. As air moves through your house, it removes pollutants that include odors, gases, particles, and

(most

IMPROVING INDOOR AIR QUALITY SIGNS THAT YOU MAY HAVE AN AIR QUALITY PROBLEM The main problems to diagnose are excess infiltration (through walls or ducts), inadequate air exchange (too little ventilation), and excess moisture. Often, excess moisture speaks for itself. If you see condensation, mold, or excessive ice buildup, you know you have a SMARTER HOUSESTART HEREAPPLIANCES + ENERGYHOME SYSTEMS + ENERGYRESOURCESDISHWASHINGFOOD STORAGE Lighting. Lighting costs the typical household between $75 and $200 per year in electricity. Making the switch to energy-efficient lighting is one of the quickest, easiest, and least expensive ways to cut your home’s energy use. Laundry. Most of the energy used to wash clothes is for heating the water. ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT From 1973 to 1986, the U.S. gross national product grew 36% with no increase in energy use at all. Had efficiencies remained at 1973 levels, we would be spending an extra $150 billion in energy bills each year and pumping 1 1⁄2 times more CO 2 into the atmosphere! We are already saving the equivalent of 13 million barrels of oil each

day

CHOOSING THE RIGHT BULB Light bulb efficiency, referred to as efficacy, is stated in terms of light output in lumens per watt of energy consumed. While traditional incandescent lamps provide about 15 lumens per watt (lpw), halogen incandescents achieve about 20 lpw. CFLs represent a leap in efficacy, offering 55 to 65 lpw. As of 2017, LEDs are able to maintain 78-130 QUICK FIXES/HOME ENERGY CHECKLISTS Quick Fixes/Home Energy Checklists. Today. ☐. Turn down the temperature of your water heater to the warm setting (120-degrees Fahrenheit). You'll not only save energy, you'll avoid scalding your hands. ☐. Start using energy-saving settings on refrigerators, dishwashers, washing INDOOR AIR POLLUTANTS According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the top five air quality problems in the U.S. are all indoor air problems. Common residential indoor pollutants include excessive moisture, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), combustion products, radon, pesticides, dust particles, viruses, and bacteria. All of these are known to affect

human

TYPES OF HEATING SYSTEMS A furnace works by blowing heated air through ducts that deliver the warm air to rooms throughout the house via air registers or grills. This type of heating system is called a ducted warm-air or forced warm-air distribution system. It can be powered by electricity, natural gas, or fuel oil. Inside a gas- or oil-fired furnace, the fuel

is mixed

WHOLE-HOUSE VENTILATION STRATEGIES VENTILATION AND AIR DISTRIBUTION Ventilation and Air Distribution. When you think about it, energy efficiency is not just about saving money on energy bills, it is really about using less energy to protect human health, assure comfort, and protect your house from damage. As air moves through your house, it removes pollutants that include odors, gases, particles, and

(most

IMPROVING INDOOR AIR QUALITY SIGNS THAT YOU MAY HAVE AN AIR QUALITY PROBLEM The main problems to diagnose are excess infiltration (through walls or ducts), inadequate air exchange (too little ventilation), and excess moisture. Often, excess moisture speaks for itself. If you see condensation, mold, or excessive ice buildup, you know you have a

SMARTER HOUSE

Lighting. Lighting costs the typical household between $75 and $200 per year in electricity. Making the switch to energy-efficient lighting is one of the quickest, easiest, and least expensive ways to cut your home’s energy use. Laundry. Most of the energy used to wash clothes is for heating the water.

HOME ELECTRONICS

Home electronics use power in standby and off modes to support features such as instant-on, remote control, channel memory, and LED clock displays. Common electronics components, like power supplies and battery chargers, contribute to standby and off-mode power consumption and also impact a product’s in-use energy consumption. VENTILATION AND AIR DISTRIBUTION Ventilation and Air Distribution. When you think about it, energy efficiency is not just about saving money on energy bills, it is really about using less energy to protect human health, assure comfort, and protect your house from damage. As air moves through your house, it removes pollutants that include odors, gases, particles, and

(most

ENERGY SAVING TIPS

Load dishes according to manufacturer’s instructions. Completely fill the racks to optimize water and energy use, but allow proper water circulation for adequate cleaning. Wash only full loads. The dishwasher uses the same amount of water whether it’s half-full or completely full. Putting dishes in the dishwasher throughout the day

and

FEDERAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY TAX INCENTIVES Federal Energy Efficiency Tax Incentives. Since 2005 consumers and businesses have been able to save money on their federal income taxes for a variety of energy efficiency investments. Here is a brief list; for more information on efficiency criteria, eligible homes and vehicles, incentive amounts, etc., we refer you to the links below. OTHER WAYS TO IMPROVE LIGHTING EFFICIENCY Choosing the Right Bulb. Choosing Light Fixtures. Other Ways to Improve Lighting Efficiency. Miscellaneous. An occupancy sensor or lamp timer will turn lights on and off automatically to save energy. Use task lighting where you need the light most and reduce ambient

light levels.

SHRINK YOUR DORM PRINT Some colleges are partnering with utilities. The University of Connecticut has teamed with Eversource to upgrade lighting in academic buildings and cooling in research laboratories. The University of Dayton has received funding from the Dayton Power and Light Company for lighting retrofits.. For their part, students are taking individual steps such as switching to LEDs, prodding campus-wide

HEATING SYSTEMS

Heating Systems. Heating is the largest energy expense in most homes, accounting for 35% to 50% of annual energy bills. Reducing your energy use for heating provides the single most effective way to reduce your home’s contribution to global environmental problems. Heating systems in the United States spew over a billion tons of CO2 into the

BUYING A NEW DRYER

Ask your appliance salesperson about dryer vent systems and spend the extra $15 to $20 to buy a tight-sealing one. Electric dryers may be vented inside the home during the winter months if the house air is dry and if the air vent is properly filtered. Compact electric dryers in apartments and condos are sometimes installed for indoor venting. REPLACING YOUR WATER HEATER *Minimum Energy Factor (EF) as of 2015 All other things being equal, the smaller the water heater tank, the higher the efficiency rating. Compared to small tanks, large tanks have a greater surface area, which increases heat loss from the tank and decreases the energy efficiency somewhat, as mentioned above. CHOOSING THE RIGHT BULB Light bulb efficiency, referred to as efficacy, is stated in terms of light output in lumens per watt of energy consumed. While traditional incandescent lamps provide about 15 lumens per watt (lpw), halogen incandescents achieve about 20 lpw. CFLs represent a leap in efficacy, offering 55 to 65 lpw. As of 2017, LEDs are able to maintain 78-130 ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT From 1973 to 1986, the U.S. gross national product grew 36% with no increase in energy use at all. Had efficiencies remained at 1973 levels, we would be spending an extra $150 billion in energy bills each year and pumping 1 1⁄2 times more CO 2 into the atmosphere! We are already saving the equivalent of 13 million barrels of oil each

day

QUICK FIXES/HOME ENERGY CHECKLISTS Quick Fixes/Home Energy Checklists. Today. ☐. Turn down the temperature of your water heater to the warm setting (120-degrees Fahrenheit). You'll not only save energy, you'll avoid scalding your hands. ☐. Start using energy-saving settings on refrigerators, dishwashers, washing

HOME ELECTRONICS

Home electronics use power in standby and off modes to support features such as instant-on, remote control, channel memory, and LED clock displays. Common electronics components, like power supplies and battery chargers, contribute to standby and off-mode power consumption and also impact a product’s in-use energy consumption. VENTILATION AND AIR DISTRIBUTION Ventilation and Air Distribution. When you think about it, energy efficiency is not just about saving money on energy bills, it is really about using less energy to protect human health, assure comfort, and protect your house from damage. As air moves through your house, it removes pollutants that include odors, gases, particles, and

(most

IMPROVING INDOOR AIR QUALITY SAVING ENERGY IN YOUR HOME ACEEE’s SmarterHouse website will help you make wise investment decisions and help you decide which products to buy and how to use them for maximum energy savings. We are now offering all of the information in the book, the Consumer Guide to Energy Savings, on the web. We’ve listed the best ways to tighten up your house so that

your heating

INDOOR AIR POLLUTANTS According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the top five air quality problems in the U.S. are all indoor air problems. Common residential indoor pollutants include excessive moisture, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), combustion products, radon, pesticides, dust particles, viruses, and bacteria. All of these are known to affect

human

BUYING A NEW RANGE, COOKTOP, OR OVEN Buying a New Range, Cooktop, or Oven. Reasons to consider purchasing a new range, cooktop, or oven may include a substantial change in cooking practices, failed or broken equipment, or replacement of an older gas range with a standing pilot light. If you are ready to buy a new appliance, first determine whether or not you would prefer to have REPLACING YOUR WATER HEATER 20. $7,072. (1) Costs are rough estimates, including installation, based on internal and other surveys. (2) Based on hot water needs for typical family of four and energy costs of 9.5¢/kWh for electricity, $1.40/therm for gas, and $2.40/gallon for oil. CHOOSING THE RIGHT BULB Light bulb efficiency, referred to as efficacy, is stated in terms of light output in lumens per watt of energy consumed. While traditional incandescent lamps provide about 15 lumens per watt (lpw), halogen incandescents achieve about 20 lpw. CFLs represent a leap in efficacy, offering 55 to 65 lpw. As of 2017, LEDs are able to maintain 78-130 ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT From 1973 to 1986, the U.S. gross national product grew 36% with no increase in energy use at all. Had efficiencies remained at 1973 levels, we would be spending an extra $150 billion in energy bills each year and pumping 1 1⁄2 times more CO 2 into the atmosphere! We are already saving the equivalent of 13 million barrels of oil each

day

QUICK FIXES/HOME ENERGY CHECKLISTS Quick Fixes/Home Energy Checklists. Today. ☐. Turn down the temperature of your water heater to the warm setting (120-degrees Fahrenheit). You'll not only save energy, you'll avoid scalding your hands. ☐. Start using energy-saving settings on refrigerators, dishwashers, washing

HOME ELECTRONICS

Home electronics use power in standby and off modes to support features such as instant-on, remote control, channel memory, and LED clock displays. Common electronics components, like power supplies and battery chargers, contribute to standby and off-mode power consumption and also impact a product’s in-use energy consumption. VENTILATION AND AIR DISTRIBUTION Ventilation and Air Distribution. When you think about it, energy efficiency is not just about saving money on energy bills, it is really about using less energy to protect human health, assure comfort, and protect your house from damage. As air moves through your house, it removes pollutants that include odors, gases, particles, and

(most

IMPROVING INDOOR AIR QUALITY SAVING ENERGY IN YOUR HOME ACEEE’s SmarterHouse website will help you make wise investment decisions and help you decide which products to buy and how to use them for maximum energy savings. We are now offering all of the information in the book, the Consumer Guide to Energy Savings, on the web. We’ve listed the best ways to tighten up your house so that

your heating

INDOOR AIR POLLUTANTS According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the top five air quality problems in the U.S. are all indoor air problems. Common residential indoor pollutants include excessive moisture, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), combustion products, radon, pesticides, dust particles, viruses, and bacteria. All of these are known to affect

human

BUYING A NEW RANGE, COOKTOP, OR OVEN Buying a New Range, Cooktop, or Oven. Reasons to consider purchasing a new range, cooktop, or oven may include a substantial change in cooking practices, failed or broken equipment, or replacement of an older gas range with a standing pilot light. If you are ready to buy a new appliance, first determine whether or not you would prefer to have REPLACING YOUR WATER HEATER 20. $7,072. (1) Costs are rough estimates, including installation, based on internal and other surveys. (2) Based on hot water needs for typical family of four and energy costs of 9.5¢/kWh for electricity, $1.40/therm for gas, and $2.40/gallon for oil. SAVING ENERGY IN YOUR HOME ACEEE’s SmarterHouse website will help you make wise investment decisions and help you decide which products to buy and how to use them for maximum energy savings. We are now offering all of the information in the book, the Consumer Guide to Energy Savings, on the web. We’ve listed the best ways to tighten up your house so that

your heating

INDOOR AIR POLLUTANTS According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the top five air quality problems in the U.S. are all indoor air problems. Common residential indoor pollutants include excessive moisture, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), combustion products, radon, pesticides, dust particles, viruses, and bacteria. All of these are known to affect

human

PLANNING ENERGY IMPROVEMENTS Planning Energy Improvements. As you think about how to reduce your environmental impact and energy bills, it can be hard to know where the best opportunities lie. The Home Energy Checklist for Action provides one way to prioritize some common home improvements. It is also useful to understand how your appliances stack up in terms of

energy use.

COOKING | SMARTER HOUSE Cooking. Choosing cooking appliances is a lot more complex and confusing today than it was 30 years ago. Along with the standard range with four top burners and an oven or two, we now have down-vented ranges with pop-out grills, fancy cooktops, microwave ovens, convection ovens, and a host of other smaller cooking appliances from high-tech

BUYING TIPS

ROI = $364 ÷ $2,500 = 0.14 = 14% – tax free! A 14% return is pretty good — much higher than what you receive from a savings account or certificate of deposit. Plus, unlike most other investments, energy conservation investments are tax free. If fuel prices go up, the PROPER VENTILATION FOR GAS APPLIANCES Proper ventilation for cooking appliances is very important for indoor air quality. The range hood should ventilate to the outside and not simply recirculate and attempt to filter the cooking fumes. This is especially important with gas ranges. Whether you choose a conventional updraft hood or a downdraft hood can make a big

difference in the

FEDERAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY TAX INCENTIVES Federal Energy Efficiency Tax Incentives. Since 2005 consumers and businesses have been able to save money on their federal income taxes for a variety of energy efficiency investments. Here is a brief list; for more information on efficiency criteria, eligible homes and vehicles, incentive amounts, etc., we refer you to the links below. WHOLE-HOUSE VENTILATION STRATEGIES Whole-House Ventilation Strategies for New Houses. Best practice among builders of modern high-performance homes in most North American climates is to build as tight as possible, and then ventilate with a well-designed mechanical system. BUYING A NEW RANGE, COOKTOP, OR OVEN Buying a New Range, Cooktop, or Oven. Reasons to consider purchasing a new range, cooktop, or oven may include a substantial change in cooking practices, failed or broken equipment, or replacement of an older gas range with a standing pilot light. If you are ready to buy a new appliance, first determine whether or not you would prefer to have

HEATING SYSTEMS

Heating Systems. Heating is the largest energy expense in most homes, accounting for 35% to 50% of annual energy bills. Reducing your energy use for heating provides the single most effective way to reduce your home’s contribution to global environmental problems. Heating systems in the United States spew over a billion tons of CO2 into the CHOOSING THE RIGHT BULB Light bulb efficiency, referred to as efficacy, is stated in terms of light output in lumens per watt of energy consumed. While traditional incandescent lamps provide about 15 lumens per watt (lpw), halogen incandescents achieve about 20 lpw. CFLs represent a leap in efficacy, offering 55 to 65 lpw. As of 2017, LEDs are able to maintain 78-130 ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT From 1973 to 1986, the U.S. gross national product grew 36% with no increase in energy use at all. Had efficiencies remained at 1973 levels, we would be spending an extra $150 billion in energy bills each year and pumping 1 1⁄2 times more CO 2 into the atmosphere! We are already saving the equivalent of 13 million barrels of oil each

day

QUICK FIXES/HOME ENERGY CHECKLISTS Quick Fixes/Home Energy Checklists. Today. ☐. Turn down the temperature of your water heater to the warm setting (120-degrees Fahrenheit). You'll not only save energy, you'll avoid scalding your hands. ☐. Start using energy-saving settings on refrigerators, dishwashers, washing

HOME ELECTRONICS

Home electronics use power in standby and off modes to support features such as instant-on, remote control, channel memory, and LED clock displays. Common electronics components, like power supplies and battery chargers, contribute to standby and off-mode power consumption and also impact a product’s in-use energy consumption. VENTILATION AND AIR DISTRIBUTION Ventilation and Air Distribution. When you think about it, energy efficiency is not just about saving money on energy bills, it is really about using less energy to protect human health, assure comfort, and protect your house from damage. As air moves through your house, it removes pollutants that include odors, gases, particles, and

(most

IMPROVING INDOOR AIR QUALITY SAVING ENERGY IN YOUR HOME ACEEE’s SmarterHouse website will help you make wise investment decisions and help you decide which products to buy and how to use them for maximum energy savings. We are now offering all of the information in the book, the Consumer Guide to Energy Savings, on the web. We’ve listed the best ways to tighten up your house so that

your heating

INDOOR AIR POLLUTANTS According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the top five air quality problems in the U.S. are all indoor air problems. Common residential indoor pollutants include excessive moisture, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), combustion products, radon, pesticides, dust particles, viruses, and bacteria. All of these are known to affect

human

BUYING A NEW RANGE, COOKTOP, OR OVEN Buying a New Range, Cooktop, or Oven. Reasons to consider purchasing a new range, cooktop, or oven may include a substantial change in cooking practices, failed or broken equipment, or replacement of an older gas range with a standing pilot light. If you are ready to buy a new appliance, first determine whether or not you would prefer to have REPLACING YOUR WATER HEATER 20. $7,072. (1) Costs are rough estimates, including installation, based on internal and other surveys. (2) Based on hot water needs for typical family of four and energy costs of 9.5¢/kWh for electricity, $1.40/therm for gas, and $2.40/gallon for oil. CHOOSING THE RIGHT BULB Light bulb efficiency, referred to as efficacy, is stated in terms of light output in lumens per watt of energy consumed. While traditional incandescent lamps provide about 15 lumens per watt (lpw), halogen incandescents achieve about 20 lpw. CFLs represent a leap in efficacy, offering 55 to 65 lpw. As of 2017, LEDs are able to maintain 78-130 ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT From 1973 to 1986, the U.S. gross national product grew 36% with no increase in energy use at all. Had efficiencies remained at 1973 levels, we would be spending an extra $150 billion in energy bills each year and pumping 1 1⁄2 times more CO 2 into the atmosphere! We are already saving the equivalent of 13 million barrels of oil each

day

QUICK FIXES/HOME ENERGY CHECKLISTS Quick Fixes/Home Energy Checklists. Today. ☐. Turn down the temperature of your water heater to the warm setting (120-degrees Fahrenheit). You'll not only save energy, you'll avoid scalding your hands. ☐. Start using energy-saving settings on refrigerators, dishwashers, washing

HOME ELECTRONICS

Home electronics use power in standby and off modes to support features such as instant-on, remote control, channel memory, and LED clock displays. Common electronics components, like power supplies and battery chargers, contribute to standby and off-mode power consumption and also impact a product’s in-use energy consumption. VENTILATION AND AIR DISTRIBUTION Ventilation and Air Distribution. When you think about it, energy efficiency is not just about saving money on energy bills, it is really about using less energy to protect human health, assure comfort, and protect your house from damage. As air moves through your house, it removes pollutants that include odors, gases, particles, and

(most

IMPROVING INDOOR AIR QUALITY SAVING ENERGY IN YOUR HOME ACEEE’s SmarterHouse website will help you make wise investment decisions and help you decide which products to buy and how to use them for maximum energy savings. We are now offering all of the information in the book, the Consumer Guide to Energy Savings, on the web. We’ve listed the best ways to tighten up your house so that

your heating

INDOOR AIR POLLUTANTS According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the top five air quality problems in the U.S. are all indoor air problems. Common residential indoor pollutants include excessive moisture, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), combustion products, radon, pesticides, dust particles, viruses, and bacteria. All of these are known to affect

human

SAVING ENERGY IN YOUR HOME ACEEE’s SmarterHouse website will help you make wise investment decisions and help you decide which products to buy and how to use them for maximum energy savings. We are now offering all of the information in the book, the Consumer Guide to Energy Savings, on the web. We’ve listed the best ways to tighten up your house so that

your heating

INDOOR AIR POLLUTANTS According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the top five air quality problems in the U.S. are all indoor air problems. Common residential indoor pollutants include excessive moisture, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), combustion products, radon, pesticides, dust particles, viruses, and bacteria. All of these are known to affect

human

PLANNING ENERGY IMPROVEMENTS Planning Energy Improvements. As you think about how to reduce your environmental impact and energy bills, it can be hard to know where the best opportunities lie. The Home Energy Checklist for Action provides one way to prioritize some common home improvements. It is also useful to understand how your appliances stack up in terms of

energy use.

COOKING | SMARTER HOUSE Cooking. Choosing cooking appliances is a lot more complex and confusing today than it was 30 years ago. Along with the standard range with four top burners and an oven or two, we now have down-vented ranges with pop-out grills, fancy cooktops, microwave ovens, convection ovens, and a host of other smaller cooking appliances from high-tech

BUYING TIPS

ROI = $364 ÷ $2,500 = 0.14 = 14% – tax free! A 14% return is pretty good — much higher than what you receive from a savings account or certificate of deposit. Plus, unlike most other investments, energy conservation investments are tax free. If fuel prices go up, the PROPER VENTILATION FOR GAS APPLIANCES Proper ventilation for cooking appliances is very important for indoor air quality. The range hood should ventilate to the outside and not simply recirculate and attempt to filter the cooking fumes. This is especially important with gas ranges. Whether you choose a conventional updraft hood or a downdraft hood can make a big

difference in the

FEDERAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY TAX INCENTIVES Federal Energy Efficiency Tax Incentives. Since 2005 consumers and businesses have been able to save money on their federal income taxes for a variety of energy efficiency investments. Here is a brief list; for more information on efficiency criteria, eligible homes and vehicles, incentive amounts, etc., we refer you to the links below. WHOLE-HOUSE VENTILATION STRATEGIES Whole-House Ventilation Strategies for New Houses. Best practice among builders of modern high-performance homes in most North American climates is to build as tight as possible, and then ventilate with a well-designed mechanical system. BUYING A NEW RANGE, COOKTOP, OR OVEN Buying a New Range, Cooktop, or Oven. Reasons to consider purchasing a new range, cooktop, or oven may include a substantial change in cooking practices, failed or broken equipment, or replacement of an older gas range with a standing pilot light. If you are ready to buy a new appliance, first determine whether or not you would prefer to have

HEATING SYSTEMS

Heating Systems. Heating is the largest energy expense in most homes, accounting for 35% to 50% of annual energy bills. Reducing your energy use for heating provides the single most effective way to reduce your home’s contribution to global environmental problems. Heating systems in the United States spew over a billion tons of CO2 into the Skip to main content

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REDUCE YOUR IMPACT

Are you about to buy a new appliance? Remodel your house? Upgrade your heating or cooling system? If you’re like most of us, you don’t do these things very often. When you do, you want to make good choices, both for your pocketbook and for the environment. Home Energy Checklist This checklist provides a way to prioritize some important energy efficiency improvements. Find out what improvements can help you start saving energy today.

Get an Energy Audit

Before making major efficiency improvements to your house, find out from a pro where and why energy is being wasted and what you should do

about it.

Plan Energy Improvements The decision to make certain energy improvements can be obvious —for example, if you have a broken appliance and need to replace it. But there may be other important priorities for your house that you are

unaware of.

VIDEOS

SHRINK YOUR DORM PRINT Video of Shrink Your Dorm Print Shrink your dorm print EASY ENERGY- SAVING HOME TIPS Video of Easy Energy- Saving Home Tips Easy Energy-Saving Home Tips HOME ENERGY BREAKDOWN * HEATING - 26% Energy used by your heating system. * COOLING - 17% Energy used by your cooling system. * WATER HEATING - 13% Energy used by your water heater for bathing,

cleaning, etc.

* LIGHTING - 10% Energy used for lighting your home. * APPLIANCES - 14% Energy used for food storage, clothes washing and drying, cooking, etc. * ELECTRONICS - 7% Energy used for home entertainment systems,

computers, etc.

* OTHER - 13% Energy used for pool pumps, motors, and other miscellaneous devices.

APPLIANCES + ENERGY

If you're about to buy a new appliance, you'll be most interested in the tips on what to look for when buying new equipment. Otherwise, look for guidance on how to get the best energy performance through operation and maintenance of the appliances you already own.

Cooking

The key to efficient cooking is understanding your cooking habits. If you are purchasing new cooking appliances, it is worth using efficiency as a guide because they tend to have long lives.

Dishwashing

More than half of the energy used by a dishwasher goes towards heating the water. Thanks to national efficiency standards, the energy and water consumed by new dishwashers has dropped dramatically, while making great strides in cleaning performance.

Food Storage

If your current refrigerator or freezer is more than 15 years old, it may be so inefficient that a new one would pay for itself in energy savings in just a few years. If your present unit is working fine and a new purchase doesn't fit your budget, follow our tips to boost

energy efficiency.

Home Electronics

An estimated 10% to 15% of all electricity used in American homes can be attributed to the buzz of electronic devices, not because they use a lot of energy, but because of their sheer numbers.

Lighting

Lighting costs the typical household between $75 and $200 per year in electricity. Making the switch to energy-efficient lighting is one of the quickest, easiest, and least expensive ways to cut your home’s

energy use.

Laundry

Most of the energy used to wash clothes is for heating the water. New resource-efficient washers provide excellent wash performance while cutting energy and water use by half or more. HOME SYSTEMS + ENERGY Keep in mind that, although heating and cooling consume by far the most energy, your best opportunities for reducing these pieces of the pie may come not from replacing equipment but from improving the efficiency of the building itself.

Air Quality

This section explains how air naturally moves through a typical house, what the main pollutants are, and how best to control them. Proper ventilation and air distribution play an important role in providing a safe, comfortable, and durable home as efficiently as possible.

Cooling Systems

More than three-quarters of all U.S. households have air conditioners. As AC becomes the norm in all regions of the country, it is important to realize that often the easiest and most affordable way to stay comfortable during the summer is to reduce your need for

air conditioning.

Heating Systems

Heating is the largest energy expense in most homes, accounting for 35% to 50% of annual energy bills. Reducing your heating energy use is the single most effective way to save money and reduce your home’s contribution to global environmental problems.

Insulation

Insulation is your primary defense against heat loss through the house envelope. However, putting insulation into a house after it is built can be pretty difficult. If there isn't any insulation, the best option is to have an insulation contractor blow cellulose or fiberglass into the walls.

Water Heating

After heating or cooling, water heating is typically the largest energy user in the home. This section looks at the high-efficiency water heaters available and how you can reduce water heating costs with your present water heater.

Windows & Doors

If your existing windows are damaged or broken, you may be better off replacing them. If your windows are generally in good shape, it will probably be more cost-effective to boost their efficiency with inexpensive fixes from your local building supply or hardware store.

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