San Francisco Chronicle - (Sunday)
5 ways to make your home more energy efficient
No one wants to pay more than they have to on their energy bill. Plenty of us cringe every month when we see that utility bill in the mail and wonder what the damage will be.
Summer means longer, hotter days of energydraining appliances running at all hours.
So how do you lower your monthly energy bill?
Some energy consultants and experts offer their thoughts about ways to cut costs this summer.
Add insulation
Insulation not only retains heat in the winter, it also serves as a barrier against it in the summer. Made from a variety of materials, including recycled denim, insulation can be installed into existing walls. It’s done by drilling a small hole atop each stud space, and the insulation is blown in through a long, flexible tube. Mike Liu, owner of Bay Area Energy Consultants, suggests adding insulation to attics as well.
Have your ducts inspected
Air needs a clear pathway to effectively cool a home. Ducts that are old or leaking make your ventilation system that much less efficient. Liu suggests having your ducts inspected for tears, gaps or disconnections. Duct cleaning, however, is not something that needs to be done routinely, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Some heating, air conditioning and ventilation companies don’t even offer duct cleaning as a service, and the material residential ducting is often made of isn’t conducive to cleaning. However, routinely replacing the air conditioner’s air filter remains important.
Upgrade your water heater
Stop waiting for what feels like eons for the water to reach the right temperature in the sink or shower. Liu suggests a tankless water heater, but there are a variety to choose from. There’s also conventional, solar, condensing and heat pumps. Conventional water heaters feature a large insulated tank where water is warmed and stored.
Heat pump water heaters, also known as hybrid water heaters, work without directly generating heat. They use heat in the air and ground to warm the water.
Tankless water heaters use superheated coils to produce hot water ondemand. The coils fill with water as soon as the tap is activated, meaning virtually unlimited hot water for the home.
Solar water heaters rely on solar panels for their energy. This, obviously, is the most energy efficient option because the sun is free.
Condensing hot water heaters, mounted on the roof, capture hot exhaust gases that typically exit the home through a flue. Instead, this air is moved to a heat exchanger inside the tank.
Each of these five styles has its benefits and drawbacks. Experts urge consumers to do their homework before committing to any purchase.
Switch to LED lights
It’s a small measure, but one that can lead to savings nonetheless. Replacing compact fluorescent or incandescent bulbs with energy efficient LEDs also provides the benefit of better illumination. Also, unlike their counterparts, LEDs do not generate much heat as they produce light.
LEDs can be small and directional, making them perfect for task lighting or recessed downlights. LED downlights alone can be a substantial improvement for homes with the capability. The Department of Energy estimates there are around 500 million recessed downlights installed in homes throughout the country, and more than 20 million are sold annually.
For lamps, LED replacement bulbs can be substituted for 40, 60 and 75 watt incandescents. Some LEDs even offer the ability to change color. A blue hue on a hot day could help the room feel cooler.
Upgrade your windows
If you still have singlepane windows, money is virtually flying out of the house, along with the cool air. Dualpane or even triplepane windows are energy efficient and can provide immediate relief on your energy bill, according to the DOE.
“New windows are another thing you can do to make a home more energy efficient,” said Jam Hezar, energy engineering consultant for Alliance 24 Title in San Francisco.
Specialty windows come with inert argon gas blown between the panes to improve their insulation capabilities. Glass can also be tinted, tempered and laminated to reduce sunlight entering the home. Lowemissivity glass coatings, also known as LowE windows, offer layers of thermal protection inside insulated glass that both retains interior cooling while reflecting the heat.
There are also a variety of window frames to suit your home. Fiberglass, vinyl and traditional wood are all options to choose from. Wood’s low conductivity means it transfers less heat into your home, while vinyl frames can have airfilled chambers for insulation purposes. Fiberglass is extremely durable and is less likely to melt when exposed to extreme temperatures.
Bonus: Do heavy chores during offpeak hours
Energy companies often charge higher prices for energy uses during “peak” hours, often stretching from 4 to 9 p.m. Energy experts suggest holding off on tasks that require a lot of energy during this time, like running the dishwasher, washing machine or dryer. If you take long showers, consider doing so outside of peak hours to save yourself on energy costs. Shorter showers will also save you money if you’re on a water meter. You can also change the temperature settings on your refrigerator and freezer to reduce energy consumption.