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Introduction
Did you know that the typical U.S. family Energy-efficient improvements not
spends close to $1,300 a year on their only make your home more comfortable,
home’s utility bills? Unfortunately, a they can yield long-term financial
large portion of that energy is wasted. rewards. Reduced operating costs more
The amount of energy wasted just than make up for the higher price of
through poorly insulated windows and energy-efficient appliances and improve-
doors is about as much energy as we get ments over their lifetimes. Improvements
from the Alaskan pipeline each year. And may also qualify you for an energy effi-
electricity generated by fossil fuels for a ciency mortgage, which allows lenders to
single home puts more carbon dioxide use a higher-than-normal debt-to-income
into the air than two average cars. By ratio to calculate loan potential. In addi-
using a few inexpensive energy-efficient tion, your home will likely have a higher
measures, you can reduce your energy resale value.
bills by 10% to 50%, and at the same This booklet shows you how easy it
time, help reduce air pollution. is to reduce your home energy use. It is
The key to achieving these a guide to easy, practical solutions for
savings is a whole-house energy saving energy throughout
efficiency plan. To take your home, from the
a whole-house insulating system that
approach, view surrounds it to the
your home as an appliances and lights
energy system inside. Please, take a
with interdepen- few moments to read
dent parts. For the valuable tips in
example, your this booklet that will
heating system is save you energy
not just a furnace— and money and,
it’s a heat-delivery in many cases,
system that starts at help the envi-
the furnace and deliv- ronment by
ers heat throughout reducing
your home using a net- pollution and
work of ducts. You may conserving
have a top-of-the-line, our natural
energy-efficient furnace, resources.
but if the ducts leak and
are uninsulated, and your
walls, attic, windows, and Whole-House Energy Plan
Introduction
doors are uninsulated, your energy bills Prioritize your whole-house plan by
will remain high. Taking a whole-house viewing your home as an energy
approach to saving energy ensures that system with interdependent parts.
dollars you invest in energy efficiency are
wisely spent.
Contents
Your Home’s Energy Use 2
Insulation and Weatherization 4
Heating and Cooling 10
Water Heating 16
Windows 18
Landscaping 20
Lighting 22
Appliances 24
Major Appliance Shopping Guide 29
Source List 31
References 33
1
Your Home ’s Energy Use
The first step to taking a whole-house • Make sure your appliances and heating
energy efficiency approach is to find out and cooling systems are properly
which parts of your house use the most maintained.
energy. A home energy audit will show • Study your family’s lighting needs and
you where these are and suggest the use patterns, paying special attention
most effective measures for reducing to high-use areas such as the living
your energy costs. You can conduct a room, kitchen, and exterior lighting.
simple home energy audit yourself, you Look for ways to use daylighting,
can contact your local utility, or you can reduce the time the lights are on, and
call an independent energy auditor for replace incandescent bulbs and fixtures
a more comprehensive examination. with compact or standard fluorescent
lamps.
exterior and basement walls, ceilings, energy needs, you can form a whole-
attic, floors, and crawl spaces. Contact house efficiency plan. Your plan will pro-
your local contractor for advice on vide you with a strategy for making smart
how to check your insulation levels. purchases and home improvements that
• Check for holes or cracks around your maximize energy efficiency and save the
walls, ceilings, windows, doors, light most money.
and plumbing fixtures, switches, and Another option is to get the advice
electrical outlets that can leak air into of a professional. Many utilities conduct
or out of your home. energy audits for free or for a nominal
charge. For a fee, a professional contrac-
• Check for open fireplace dampers.
tor will analyze how your home’s energy
2
systems work together as a system and Finding a contractor
compare the analysis against your utility
When searching for a contractor, you
bills. He or she will use a variety of equip- should:
ment such as blower doors, infrared • Ask neighbors and friends if they
cameras, and surface thermometers to have worked with a contractor they
find inefficiencies that cannot be detected would recommend
by a visual inspection. Finally, they will • Look in the Yellow Pages
give you a list of recommendations for • Focus on local companies
cost-effective energy improvements and • Look for licensed, insured
enhanced comfort and safety. A good contractors
contractor will also calculate the return • Get three bids with details in writing
on your investment in high efficiency • Ask about previous experience
equipment vs. standard equipment. • Check references
For more information about home
• Inquire with the Better Business
energy audits, contact: Bureau.
U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s)
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Owens Corning Customer Service Hotline,
Clearinghouse (EREC), (800) DOE-3732 (800) GET-PINK (800-438-7465),
(800-363-3732), www.eren.doe.gov/erec/factsheets www.owenscorning.com
Cool Hot
Heat Loss from a House
A picture is worth..., in this case, lost heating dollars. This thermal photograph shows heat leaking
from a house during those expensive winter heating months. The white, yellow, and red colors show
where the heat escapes. The red represents the area of the greatest heat loss.
Thermogram/photograph copyright 1997, Infraspection Institute, Inc., Shelburne, VT
3
Insulation and Weatherization
Checking your home’s insulating system Insulation
is one of the fastest and most cost-
First, check the insulation in your attic,
efficient ways to use a whole-house
ceilings, exterior and basement walls,
approach to reduce energy waste and
floors, and crawl spaces to see if it meets
maximize your energy dollars. A good
the levels recommended for your area.
insulating system includes a combination
Insulation is measured in R-values—the
of products and construction techniques
higher the R-value, the better your walls
that provide a home with thermal perfor-
and roof will resist the transfer of heat.
mance, protect it against air infiltration,
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
and control moisture. You can increase
recommends ranges of R-values based
the comfort of your home while reducing
on local heating and cooling costs and
your heating and cooling needs by up
climate conditions in different areas of
to 30% by investing just a few hundred
the nation. The map and chart on pages 6
dollars in proper insulation and weather-
and 7 show the DOE recommendations
ization products.
for your area. State and local codes in
Attic
Walls
Insulation and Weatherization
Floors
Crawl space
Basement
Where to Insulate
Adding insulation in the areas shown here may be the best way to improve your home’s energy
efficiency.
4
some parts of the country may require Should I insulate my home?
lower R-values than the DOE recommen-
The answer is probably “yes” if you:
dations, which are based on cost-
• Have an older home and haven’t
effectiveness. For more customized insu- added insulation: in a recent survey,
lation recommendations, visit Oak Ridge only 20% of homes built before
National Laboratory’s (ORNL) Zip Map 1980 were well insulated
at www.ornl.gov/%7Eroofs/Zip/ • Are uncomfortably cold in the
ZipHome.html. ORNL’s Zip-Code Insula- winter or hot in the summer—
tion Program can tell you the most eco- adding insulation creates a more
uniform temperature and increases
nomic insulation level for your new or
comfort
existing home.
• Build a new house or addition, or
Although insulation can be made from install new siding or roofing
a variety of materials, it usually comes in
• Pay excessive energy bills
four types—batts, rolls, loose-fill, and
• Are bothered by noise from the
rigid foam boards. Each type is made to outdoors—insulation helps to
fit in a different part of your house. Batts muffle sound
are made to fit between the studs in your • Are concerned about the effect of
walls or between the joists of your ceilings energy use on the environment.
or floors. Batts are usually made of fiber
glass or rock wool. Fiber glass is manu-
• Use higher density insulation, such as
factured from sand and recycled glass,
rigid foam boards, in cathedral ceilings
and rock wool is made from basaltic rock
and on exterior walls.
and recycled material from steel mill
wastes. Rolls or blankets are also usually • Ventilation plays a large role in provid-
made of fiber glass and can be laid over ing moisture control and reducing
the floor in the attic. Loose-fill insulation summer cooling bills. Attic vents can
(usually made of fiber glass, rock wool, or be installed along the entire ceiling cav-
cellulose) is blown into the attic or walls. ity to help ensure proper airflow from
Cellulose is usually made from recycled the soffit to the attic to make a home
newsprint treated with fire-retardant more comfortable and energy efficient.
chemicals. • Recessed light fixtures can be a major
Rigid foam boards are made of poly- source of heat loss, but you need to be
Insulation and Weatherization
isocyanurate, extruded polystyrene (XPS careful how close you place insulation
or blueboard), expanded polystyrene next to a fixture unless it is marked
(EPS or beadboard), or other materials. “I.C.”—designed for direct insulation
These boards are lightweight, provide contact. Check your local building
structural support, and generally have an codes for recommendations.
R-value of 4 to 7 per inch. Rigid board
• As specified on the product packaging,
insulation is made to be used in confined
follow the product instructions on
spaces such as exterior walls, basements,
installation and wear the proper pro-
foundation and crawl space walls, con-
tective gear when installing insulation.
crete slabs, and cathedral ceilings.
The easiest and most cost-effective
Insulation Tips way to insulate your home is to add
• Consider factors such as your climate, insulation in the attic. To find out if you
building design, and budget when select- have enough attic insulation, measure
ing insulation R-value for your home. the thickness of insulation. If there is less
5
than R-22 (7 inches of fiber glass or rock You may also need to add insulation
wool or 6 inches of cellulose) you could to your crawl space. Either the walls or
probably benefit by adding more. Most the floor above the crawl space should be
U.S. homes should have between R-22 insulated.
and R-49 insulation in the attic.
If your attic has ample insulation and New Construction
your home still feels drafty and cold in For new construction or home addi-
the winter or too warm in the summer, tions, R-11 to R-28 insulation is recom-
chances are you need to add insulation mended for exterior walls depending on
to the exterior walls as well. This is a more location (see map below). To meet this
expensive measure that usually requires a recommendation, most homes and
contractor, but it may be worth the cost if additions constructed with 2 in x 4 in
you live in a very hot or cold climate. walls require a combination of wall cavity
2
3
1
1 2
2
5 1
4 2
5
3
6
3
Insulation and Weatherization
4 4
6
4
*These recommendations are cost-effective levels of insulation based on the best available information on local
fuel and materials costs and weather conditions. Consequently, the levels may differ from current local building
codes. In addition, the apparent fragmentation of the recommendations is an artifact of these data and should
not be considered absolute minimum requirements.
6
insulation, such as batts and insulating Weatherization
sheathing or rigid foam boards. If you live
Warm air leaking into your home dur-
in an area with an insulation recommen-
ing the summer and out of your home
dation that is greater than R-20, you may
during the winter can waste a substantial
want to consider building with 2 in x 6 in
portion of your energy dollars. One of
framing instead of 2 in x 4 in framing
the quickest dollar-saving tasks you can
to allow room for thicker wall cavity
do is caulk, seal, and weatherstrip all
insulation—R-19 to R-21.
seams, cracks, and openings to the out-
When shopping for insulation watch
side. You can save 10% or more on your
for the ENERGY STAR® label and the
energy bill by reducing the air leaks in
National Association of Home Builders
your home.
(NAHB) certification.
Ceiling Basement
Electric furnace
Cathederal
Slab edge
Exterior
Interior
Wall (A)
Fuel oil
Floor
Zone
Attic
Gas
(A) R-18, R-22, and R-28 exterior wall systems can be achieved by either cavity insulation or cavity insulation with insulating sheathing.
For 2 in x 4 in walls, use either 3-1/2-in thick R-15 or 3-1/2-in thick R-13 fiber glass insulation with insulating sheathing.
For 2 in x 6 in walls, use either 5-1/2-in thick R-21 or 6-1/4-in thick R-19 fiber glass insulation.
(B) Insulate crawl space walls only if the crawl space is dry all year, the floor above is not insulated, and all ventilation to the crawl space is blocked.
A vapor retarder (e.g., 4- or 6-mil polyethylene film) should be installed on the ground to reduce moisture migration into the crawl space.
(C) No slab edge insulation is recommended.
NOTE: For more information, see: Department of Energy Insulation Fact Sheet (D.O.E./CE-0180). Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Clearinghouse, P.O. Box 3048, Merrifield, VA 22116; phone: (800) 363-3732; www.ornl.gov/roofs+walls/insulation/ins_11.html
or contact Owens Corning, (800) GET-PINK (800-438-7465), www.owenscorning.com
7
9 4
7 3
2 1
15
11
8
13
14
10 12
5 16
6
8
• Install rubber gaskets behind outlet
and switch plates on exterior walls.
• Look for dirty spots in your insula- Plumbing Windows
tion, which often indicate holes penetrations 10%
where air leaks into and out of 13% Doors
your house. You can seal the 11%
holes by stapling sheets of plastic Ducts
over the holes and caulking the 15% Fans and vents
edges of the plastic. 4%
• Install storm windows over single- Electric Fireplace
pane windows or replace them outlets 14%
with double-pane windows. Storm 2% Floors, walls,
windows as much as double the and ceiling
R-value of single-pane windows 31%
and they can help reduce drafts,
water condensation, and frost for-
mation. As a less costly and less How Does the Air Escape?
permanent alternative, you can use
a heavy-duty, clear plastic sheet on a
Air infiltrates in and out of your home through
frame or tape clear plastic film to the every hole, nook, and cranny. About one-third
inside of your window frames during of this air infiltrates through openings in your
the cold winter months. Remember, ceilings, walls, and floors.
the plastic must be sealed tightly to the
frame to help reduce infiltration. Insulation Contractors Association of
America (ICAA), (703) 739-0356,
• When the fireplace is not in use, keep
www.insulate.org
the flue damper tightly closed. A chim-
ney is designed specifically for smoke National Association of Home Builders
to escape, so until you close it, warm (NAHB), (800) 368-5242, www.nahb.com
air escapes— 24 hours a day!
North American Insulation Manufacturers
• For new construction, reduce exterior
Association (NAIMA), (703) 684-0084,
wall leaks by either installing house
Insulation and Weatherization
9
Heating and Cooling
Heating and cooling your home uses make sure they’re not blocked by
more energy and drains more energy furniture, carpeting, or drapes.
dollars than any other system in your • Bleed trapped air from hot-water
home. Typically, 44% of your utility bill radiators once or twice a season; if in
goes for heating and cooling. What’s doubt about how to perform this task,
more, heating and cooling systems in the call a professional.
United States together emit
over a half billion tons of
carbon dioxide into the 60
atmosphere each year,
adding to global warming. 50 Natural
gas
They also generate about 53%
24% of the nation’s sulfur 40
dioxide and 12% of the
nitrogen oxides, the chief
30
ingredients in acid rain.
No matter what kind of Electricity
heating, ventilation, and 20 26%
air-conditioning system
you have in your house, 10 Other
Fuel oil
you can save money and 11% 10%
increase comfort by
0
properly maintaining and
upgrading your equipment.
Household Heating Systems
But remember, an energy-efficient
furnace alone will not have as great an Although there are several different types of
impact on your energy bills as using the fuels available to heat our homes, about half
whole-house approach. By combining of us use natural gas.
proper equipment maintenance and
upgrades with appropriate insulation, • Place heat-resistant radiator reflectors
weatherization, and thermostat settings, between exterior walls and the
you can cut your energy bills and your radiators.
pollution output in half. • Use kitchen, bath, and other ventilat-
Heating and Cooling Tips ing fans wisely; in just 1 hour, these
fans can pull out a houseful of warmed
Heating and Cooling
10
During the cooling season, keep the What’s a Btu?
window coverings closed during the One Btu, or British thermal unit, is
day to prevent solar gain. roughly equivalent to burning one
• Close an unoccupied room that is kitchen match. That may not sound
like much, but a typical home con-
isolated from the rest of the house, sumes about 100 million Btu per year.
such as in a corner, and turn down Approximately 44% of the total is
the thermostat or turn off the heating used for space heating.
for that room or zone. However, do not
turn the heating off if it adversely affects properly. Ducts that leak heated air into
the rest of your system. For example, unheated spaces can add hundreds of
if you heat your house with a heat dollars a year to your heating and cool-
pump, do not close the vents—closing ing bills. Insulating ducts that are in
the vents could harm the heat pump. unconditioned spaces is usually very
• Select energy-efficient equipment cost-effective. If you are buying a new
when you buy new heating and cooling duct system, consider one that comes
equipment. Your contractor should be with insulation already installed.
able to give you energy fact sheets for Sealing your ducts to prevent leaks is
different types, models, and designs even more important if the ducts are
to help you compare energy usage. located in an unconditioned area such
Look for high Annual Fuel Utilization as an attic or vented crawl space. If the
Efficiency (AFUE) ratings and the supply ducts are leaking, heated or
Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio cooled air can be forced out unsealed
(SEER). The national minimums are joints and lost. In addition, uncondi-
78% AFUE and 10 SEER. tioned air can also be drawn into return
• Look for the ENERGY STAR® and ducts through unsealed joints. In the
EnergyGuide labels. ENERGY STAR® summer, hot attic air can be drawn in,
is a program of the U.S. Department of increasing the load on the air conditioner.
Energy (DOE) and the Environmental In the winter, your furnace will have to
Protection Agency (EPA) designed work longer to keep your house comfort-
to help consumers identify energy- able. Either way, your energy losses cost
efficient appliances and products. you money.
Although minor duct repairs are easy
Ducts to accomplish, ducts in unconditioned
One of the most important systems in spaces should be sealed and insulated by
your home, though it’s hidden beneath qualified professionals using the appro-
your feet and over your head, may be priate sealing materials. Here are a few
simple tips to help with minor duct repairs.
Heating and Cooling
12
of heat pumps: air-to-air, water source, for new construction or a major remodel-
and ground source. They collect heat ing, you should consult an architect
from the air, water, or ground outside familiar with passive solar techniques.
your home and concentrate it for use Solar Tips
inside. Heat pumps do double duty as a
• Keep all south-facing glass clean.
central air conditioner. They can also
cool your home by collecting the heat • Make sure that objects do not block the
inside your house and effectively pump- sunlight shining on concrete slab floors
ing it outside. A heat pump can trim the or heat-absorbing walls.
amount of electricity you use for heating • Consider using insulating curtains to
by as much as 30% to 40%. reduce excessive heat loss from large
Heat Pump Tips windows at night.
• Do not set back the heat pump’s ther-
mostat manually if it causes the electric
Fireplaces
resistance heating to come on. This When you cozy up next to a crackling
type of heating, which is often used as fire on a cold winter day, you probably
a backup to the heat pump, is more don’t realize that your fireplace is one of
expensive. the most inefficient heat sources you can
possibly use. It literally sends your energy
• Clean or change filters once a month dollars right up the chimney along with
or as needed, and maintain the system volumes of warm air. A roaring fire can
according to manufacturer’s instructions. exhaust as much as 24,000 cubic feet of
air per hour to the outside, which must
Solar Heating and Cooling be replaced by cold air coming into the
Using passive solar design techniques house from the outside. Your heating sys-
to heat and cool your home can be tem must warm up this air, which is then
both environmentally friendly and cost exhausted through your chimney. If you
effective. Passive solar heating tech- use your conventional fireplace while
niques include placing larger, insulated your central heating system is on, these
windows on south-facing walls and locat- tips can help reduce energy losses.
ing thermal mass, such as a concrete slab
floor or a heat-absorbing wall, close to Fireplace Tips
the windows. In many cases, you can cut • If you never use your fireplace, plug
your heating costs by more than 50% com- and seal the chimney flue.
pared to the cost of heating the same house • Keep your fireplace damper closed
that does not include passive solar design. unless a fire is going. Keeping the
Passive solar design can also help damper open is like keeping a 48-inch
Heating and Cooling
reduce your cooling costs. Passive solar window wide open during the winter;
cooling techniques include carefully it allows warm air to go right up the
designed overhangs, windows with chimney.
reflective coatings, and the use of reflec-
• When you use the fireplace, reduce
tive coatings on exterior walls and the
heat loss by opening dampers in the
roof.
bottom of the firebox (if provided) or
However, a passive solar house also
open the nearest window slightly—
requires careful design and site orientation,
approximately 1 inch—and close
which depend on the local climate. So, if
doors leading into the room. Lower
you are considering passive solar design
13
the thermostat setting to between of time than if they are continually switch-
50° and 55°F. ing off and on. Longer run times allow air
• Install tempered glass doors and a conditioners to maintain a more constant
heat-air exchange system that blows room temperature.
warmed air back into the room. Sizing is equally important for central
air-conditioning systems, which need to
• Check the seal on the flue damper be sized by professionals. If you have a
and make it as snug as possible. central air system in your home, set the
• Add caulking around the fireplace hearth. fan to shut off at the same time as the
• Use grates made of C-shaped metal cooling unit (compressor). In other
tubes to draw cool room air into the words, don’t use the system’s central fan
fireplace and circulate warm air back to provide circulation, but instead use
into the room. circulating fans in individual rooms.
Cooling Tips
Gas and Oil Heating Systems • Whole-house fans help cool your home
If you plan to buy a new heating system, by pulling cool air through the house
ask your local utility or state energy office and exhausting warm air through the
for information about the latest technolo- attic. They are effective when operated
gies available to consumers (for a list of at night and when the outside air is
state energy offices visit the National cooler than the inside.
Association of State Energy Officials
• Set your thermostat as high as com-
[NASEO] web site at www.naseo.org/
fortably possible in the summer. The
members/StateDir.htm). They can advise
less difference between the indoor and
you about more efficient systems on the
outdoor temperatures, the lower your
market today. For example, many newer
overall cooling bill will be.
models incorporate designs for burners
and heat exchangers that result in higher • Don’t set your thermostat at a colder
efficiencies during operation and reduce setting than normal when you turn on
heat loss when the equipment is off. your air conditioner. It will not cool
Check the Shopping Guide in the back of your home any faster and could result
this booklet for additional information on in excessive cooling and, therefore,
how to understand heating system ratings. unnecessary expense.
Look for the ENERGY STAR® and • Consider using an interior fan in con-
Energy Guide labels. junction with your window air condi-
tioner to spread the cooled air more
Air Conditioners effectively through your home without
It might surprise you to know that buy-
greatly increasing your power use.
Heating and Cooling
14
Nighttime Heating
Using a programmable thermostat,
you can automatically turn down
your heat at night or when you are
not at home.
Nighttime Cooling
In the summer, you can save money
by automatically turning your air-
conditioning up at night.
uses as much as 10% less electricity rest of the daily or weekly program.
than the same one operating in the sun. When shopping for a programmable
• Look for the ENERGY STAR® and thermostat, be sure to look for the
EnergyGuide labels. ENERGY STAR® label.
For more information on heating and
The shopping guide in the back of
cooling, contact:
this booklet will help you find the right
size unit for your needs. Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
Institute (ACRI), (703) 524-8800, www.ari.org
Programmable Thermostats
You can save as much as 10% a year ENERGY STAR®, (888) STAR-YES (888-782-7937),
on your heating and cooling bills by sim- www.energystar.gov
ply turning your thermostat back 10% to
15% for 8 hours. You can do this auto-
Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association,
matically without sacrificing comfort by (703) 525-9565, www.gamanet.org
installing an automatic setback or pro- Honeywell Customer Response Center,
grammable thermostat. (800) 345-6770, www.honeywell.com
Using a programmable thermostat,
you can adjust the times you turn on the Owens Corning Customer Service Hotline,
Heating and Cooling
15
Water Heating
Water heating is the third largest energy to select one that most appropriately
expense in your home. It typically meets your needs.
accounts for about 14% of your utility bill. • Lower the thermostat on your water
There are four ways to cut your water heater; water heaters sometimes
heating bills: use less hot water, turn come from the factory with high
down the thermostat on your water temperature settings, but a setting of
heater, insulate your water heater, or 115°F provides comfortable hot water
buy a new, more efficient water heater. A for most uses.
family of four, each showering for 5 min-
utes a day, uses 700 gallons of water a
week; this is enough for a 3-year supply
of drinking water for one person. You can
cut that amount in half simply by using
low-flow nonaerating showerheads and
faucets.
Water Heating Tips
• Repair leaky faucets promptly; a leaky
faucet wastes gallons of water in a
short period.
• Insulate your electric hot-water storage
tank and pipes, but be careful not to
cover the thermostat.
• Insulate your gas or oil hot-water
storage tank and pipes, but be careful
not to cover the water heater’s top,
bottom, thermostat, or burner com-
partment; when in doubt, get profes-
sional help.
• Install nonaerating, low-flow faucets
and showerheads.
• Buy a new energy-efficient water
heater. While it may cost more initially
than a standard water heater, the
energy savings will continue during the
lifetime of the appliance.
Water Heating
17
Windows
Windows can be one of your home’s most • Repair and weatherize your current
attractive features. Windows provide storm windows, if necessary.
views, daylighting, ventilation, and solar • Install tight-fitting, insulating window
heating in the winter. Unfortunately, they shades on windows that feel drafty
can also account for 10% to 25% of your after weatherizing.
heating bill. During the summer, sunny
windows make your air conditioner work • Close your curtains and shades at
two to three times harder. If you live in night; open them during the day.
the Sun Belt, look into new solar control • Keep windows on the south side
spectrally selective windows, which can of your house clean to maximize
cut the cooling load by more than half. solar gain.
If your home has single-pane windows,
Warm-Climate Window Tips
as almost half of U.S. homes do, consider
replacing them. New double-pane win- • Install white window shades, drapes,
dows with high-performance glass (e.g., or blinds to reflect heat away from the
low-e or spectrally selective) are available house.
on the market. In colder climates, select • Close curtains on south- and west-
windows that are gas filled with low- facing windows during the day.
emissivity (low-e) coatings on the glass
• Install awnings on south- and west-
to reduce heat loss. In warmer climates,
facing windows.
select windows with spectrally selective
coatings to reduce heat gain. If you are • Apply sun-control or other reflective
building a new home, you can offset films on south-facing windows to
some of the cost of installing more reduce solar gain.
efficient windows because doing so
allows you to buy smaller, less
expensive heating and cooling
equipment.
If you decide not to replace your
windows, the simpler, less costly
measures listed below can improve
the performance of your windows.
Cold-Climate Window Tips
• Install exterior or interior storm
windows; storm windows can
reduce your heat loss through the
windows by 25% to 50%. Storm
windows should have weather-
stripping at all moveable joints; Cold-Climate Windows
be made of strong, durable Double-pane windows with low-e coating on the
Windows
materials; and have interlocking glass reflect heat back into the room during the
or overlapping joints. Low-e storm winter months.
windows save even more energy.
18
Warm-Climate Windows
In the summertime, the sun shining
through your windows heats up the
room. Windows with spectrally
selective coatings on the glass reflect
some of the sunlight, keeping your
rooms cooler.
Buildings and
Trees—Natural
Partners
Deciduous trees
planted on the south
and on the west sides
will help keep your
house cool in the
summer and allow
sun to shine in the
windows in the winter.
Landscaping
20
tree-shaded neighborhoods than in tree-
White Roofs
less areas. The energy-conserving land-
Just as wearing white clothes reflects
scape strategies you should use for your
the sun’s heat from your body, a white
home depend on the type of climate in or light-colored roof will help reflect
which you live. the sun’s heat away from your home.
This strategy works particularly well
Landscaping Tips—Dependent on
when trees are located next to the
Geographic Area reflecting surface. Not only do trees
• Trees that lose their leaves in the fall provide shade, they absorb the
(i.e., deciduous) are the most effective reflected sunlight for photosynthesis.
In the process, water evaporates from
at reducing heating and cooling energy
the tree, cooling the air around the
costs. When selectively placed around house.
a house, they provide excellent protec-
tion from the summer sun but permit
Contact your county extension agents,
winter sunlight to reach and warm
public libraries, local nurseries, landscape
your house. The height, growth rate,
architects, landscape contractors, and
branch spread, and shape are all
state and local energy offices for addi-
factors to consider in choosing
tional information on energy-efficient
a tree.
landscaping and regional plants and
• Vines provide shading and cooling. their maintenance requirements.
Grown on trellises, vines can shade For more information on landscaping
windows or the whole side of a for energy efficiency, contact:
house.
American Forests, (202) 955-4500,
• Deflect winter winds by planting
www.amfor.org
evergreen trees and shrubs on the
north and west sides of your house; American Society of Landscape Architects
deflect summer winds by planting (ASLA), (202) 898-2444, www.asla.org
them on the south and west sides
of your house. National Arbor Day Foundation (NADF),
Orientation of the house and sur- (402) 474-5655, www.arborday.org
rounding landscaping has a large effect U.S. Department of Agriculture, County
on energy consumption. A well-oriented, Extension Service - Local Chapter
well-designed home admits low-angle
winter sun to reduce heating bills; rejects U.S. Department of Energy’s
overhead summer sun to reduce cooling Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
bills; and minimizes the chill effect of Clearinghouse (EREC), (800) DOE-3732
winter winds. Fences, walls, other nearby (800-363-3732), www.eren.doe.gov/erec/factsheets
buildings, and rows of trees or shrubs
block or channel the wind. Bodies of
water moderate temperature but increase
Landscaping
21
Lighting
Increasing your lighting efficiency is one night lights. Both lights are much
of the fastest ways to decrease your energy more efficient than their incandescent
bills. If you replace 25% of your lights in counterparts. The luminescent lights
high-use areas with fluorescents, you can are cool to the touch.
save about 50% of your lighting energy bill. • Use CFLs in all the portable table and
floor lamps in your home. Consider
Indoor Lighting carefully the size and fit of these sys-
Use linear fluorescent and energy-
tems when you select them. Some
efficient compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs)
home fixtures may not accommodate
in fixtures throughout your home to pro-
some of the larger CFLs.
vide high-quality and high-efficiency light-
ing. Fluorescent lamps are much more • When shopping for new light fixtures,
efficient than incandescent bulbs and last consider buying dedicated compact flu-
6 to 10 times longer. Although fluores- orescent fixtures with built-in ballasts
cent and compact fluorescent lamps are that use pin-based replacement bulbs.
more expensive than incandescent bulbs, • For spot lighting, consider CFLs with
they pay for themselves by saving energy reflectors. The lamps range in wattage
over their lifetime. from 13-watt to 32-watt and provide
Indoor Lighting Tips a very directed light using a reflector
and lens system.
• Turn off the lights in any room you’re
not using, or consider installing timers, • Take advantage of daylight by using
photo cells, or occupancy sensors to light-colored, loose-weave curtains
reduce the amount of time your lights on your windows to allow daylight to
are on. penetrate the room while preserving
• Use task lighting; instead of
brightly lighting an entire
room, focus the light where
you need it. For example,
use fluorescent under-cabinet
lighting for kitchen sinks and
countertops under cabinets.
• Consider three-way lamps;
they make it easier to keep
lighting levels low when
brighter light is not necessary.
• Use 4-foot fluorescent fixtures
with reflective backing and
electronic ballasts for your
workroom, garage, and
Compact Fluorescent Bulbs
Lighting
laundry areas.
These compact fluorescent bulbs are four times more energy
• Consider using 4-watt mini-
efficient than incandescent bulbs and provide the same lighting.
fluorescent or electro-luminescent
22
Torchiere Lamp
Halogen lamps generate excessive heat that can
create fire hazards. Use compact fluorescent
lamps in your torchiere fixtures. They are safer
and use much less energy.
mum federal standards by a substantial • Don’t use the “rinse hold” on your
amount. The appliance shopping machine for just a few soiled dishes.
guide on pages 29 and 30 lists some It uses 3 to 7 gallons of hot water
of the major appliances that carry the each time you use it.
24
• Let your dishes air dry; if you don’t What’s a kilowatt?
have an automatic air-dry switch,
When you cook a pot of rice for
turn off the control knob after the final 1 hour, you use 1000 watt hours of
rinse and prop the door open a little electricity! One thousand watt hours
so the dishes will dry faster. equals 1 kilowatt-hour, or 1 kWh.
Your utility bill usually shows what
• When shopping for a new dishwasher, you are charged for the kilowatt-hours
look for the ENERGY STAR® label. you use. The average residential rate
ENERGY STAR® dishwashers use less is 8.3 cents per kWh. A typical U.S.
water and energy and must exceed household consumes about
10,000 kWh per year, costing an
minimum federal standards by at least
average of $830 annually.
13%.
25
ago. This adds up to between $525 and
$1,050 during the average 15-year life
of the unit.
Refrigerator/Freezer Energy Tips
• Look for a refrigerator with automatic
moisture control. Models with this fea-
ture have been engineered to prevent
moisture accumulation on the cabinet
exterior without the addition of a
heater. This is not the same thing as
an “anti-sweat” heater. Models with
an anti-sweat heater will consume
5% to 10% more energy than models
without this feature.
• Don’t keep your refrigerator or freezer
too cold. Recommended temperatures
are 37° to 40°F for the fresh food com-
partment of the refrigerator and 5°F
for the freezer section. If you have a
separate freezer for long-term storage,
it should be kept at 0°F.
• To check refrigerator temperature,
place an appliance thermometer in a
glass of water in the center of the refrig-
erator. Read it after 24 hours. To check
Refrigerator Choices the freezer temperature, place a ther-
Refrigerators with the freezer on top are more mometer between frozen packages.
efficient than those with freezers on the side. Read it after 24 hours.
• Regularly defrost manual-defrost refrig-
erators and freezers; frost buildup
Refrigerators decreases the energy efficiency of the
The EnergyGuide label on new refrig-
unit. Don’t allow frost to build up more
erators will tell you how much electricity
than one-quarter of an inch.
in kilowatt-hours (kWh) a particular
model uses in one year. The smaller the • Make sure your refrigerator door seals
number, the less energy the refrigerator are airtight. Test them by closing the
uses and the less it will cost you to door over a piece of paper or a dollar
operate. In addition to the EnergyGuide bill so it is half in and half out of the
label, don’t forget to look for the refrigerator. If you can pull the paper
ENERGY STAR® label. A new refrigerator or bill out easily, the latch may need
adjustment or the seal may need
Appliances
26
Cost/year 0 $42 $83 $125 $166 $208
02477423m
Electric blanket
Home computer
Television
Microwave oven
Dehumidifier
Well pump
Aquarium/terrarium
Dishwasher
Electric cooking
Freezer
Waterbed heater
Clothes dryer
Washing machine
Refrigerator
Pool pump
Spa (pump and heater)
kWh/year 0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500
• Cover liquids and wrap foods stored electric ignition system. An electric
in the refrigerator. Uncovered foods ignition saves gas because a pilot light
release moisture and make the com- is not burning continuously.
pressor work harder. • In gas appliances, look for blue flames;
• Move your refrigerator out from yellow flames indicate the gas is burn-
the wall and vacuum its condenser ing inefficiently and an adjustment
coils once a year unless you have may be needed. Consult the manufac-
a no-clean condenser model. Your turer or your local utility.
refrigerator will run for shorter periods • Keep range-top burners and reflectors
with clean coils. clean; they will reflect the heat better,
Other Energy-Saving Kitchen Tips and you will save energy.
• Be sure to place the faucet lever on the • Use a covered kettle or pan to boil
kitchen sink in the cold position when water; it’s faster and it uses less
using small amounts of water; placing energy.
the lever in the hot position uses • Match the size of the pan to the heat-
Appliances
27
heating element will stay hot long compared to 15 to 25 cents in a gas
enough to finish the cooking without dryer.
using more electricity. The same Laundry Tips
principle applies to oven cooking.
• Wash your clothes in cold water
• Use small electric pans or toaster using cold-water detergents when-
ovens for small meals rather than your ever possible.
large stove or oven. A toaster oven
• Wash and dry full loads. If you are
uses a third to half as much energy as a
washing a small load, use the
full-sized oven.
appropriate water-level setting.
• Use pressure cookers and microwave
• Dry towels and heavier cottons in a
ovens whenever it is convenient to
separate load from lighter-weight
do so. They can save energy by
clothes.
significantly reducing cooking time.
• Don’t over-dry your clothes. If
Laundry your machine has a moisture sensor,
About 80% to 85% of the energy used use it.
for washing clothes is for heating the • Clean the lint filter in the dryer after
water. There are two ways to reduce the every load to improve air circulation.
amount of energy used for washing
• Use the cool-down cycle to allow
clothes—use less water and use cooler
the clothes to finish drying with the
water. Unless you’re dealing with oily
residual heat in the dryer.
stains, the warm or cold water setting on
your machine will generally do a good • Periodically inspect your dryer vent
job of cleaning your clothes. Switching to ensure it is not blocked. This will
your temperature setting from hot to save energy and may prevent a fire.
warm can cut a load’s energy use Manufacturers recommend using rigid
in half. venting material, not plastic vents that
When shopping for a new washer, may collapse and cause blockages.
look for an ENERGY STAR® machine. • Look for the ENERGY STAR® and
These machines may cost more to buy EnergyGuide labels.
but use about a third of the energy and
For more information on energy-
less water than typical machines. You’ll
efficient appliances, contact:
also save more on clothes drying,
because most remove more water from Association of Home Appliance
your clothes during the spin cycle. Manufacturers, (312) 984-5823,
When shopping for a new clothes www.aham.org
dryer, look for one with a moisture sensor
that automatically shuts off the machine ENERGY STAR®, (888) STAR-YES (888-782-7937),
when your clothes are dry. Not only will www.energystar.gov
this save energy, it will save wear and tear
U.S. Department of Energy’s
on your clothes caused by over-drying.
Appliances
28
Major Appliance
Based on standard U.S. Government tests
Shopping Guide
This Model Uses
776 kWh/year
$68
This easy-to-read guide may help you understand how appliances are
Based on a 1995 U.S. Government national average cost of 8.4¢ per kWh for
electricity. Your actual operating cost will vary depending on your local utility rates
and your use of the product.
rated for efficiency, what the ratings mean, and what to look for while
shopping for new appliances.
Important: Removal of this label before consumer purchase is a violation of Federal law (42 U.S.C. 8302).
$68
Based on a 1995 U.S. Government national average cost of 8.4¢ per kWh for
electricity Yo r act al operating cost will vary depending on yo r local tility rates
Air-Source Look for the EnergyGuide label that contains If you live in a cool climate, look for a heat
Heat Pumps the SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency pump with a high HSPF. If you purchase an
Ratio) and HSPF (Heating Seasonal ENERGY STAR® heat pump, you are getting a
Performance Factor) for heat pumps. The product that is in the top 25% for efficiency.
Based on standard U.S. Government tests SEER measures the energy efficiency during Contact a professional for advice on
Refrigerator-Freezer
With Automatic Defrost
With Side-Mounted Freezer
Without Through -the-Door-Ice Service
Central Air Look for the EnergyGuide label with a Air conditioners that bear the ENERGY STAR®
Conditioners SEER for central air conditioners. The label may be twice as efficient as some
Based on standard U.S. Government tests
Refrigerator-Freezer
With Automatic Defrost
XYZ Corporation
Model ABC-W
ENERGY STAR® minimum efficiency level existing systems. Contact a professional for
is 12 SEER. ENERGY STAR® central air advice on sizing a central air system.
With Side-Mounted Freezer Capacity: 23 Cubic Feet
Without Through -the-Door-Ice Service
Uses Least
Energy
742
Energy Use (kWh/year) range of all similar models
$68
Based on a 1995 U.S. Government national average cost of 8.4¢ per kWh for
electricity Yo r act al operating cost will vary depending on yo r local tility rates
Major Appliance Shopping Guide
Room Air Look for the EnergyGuide label with an What size to buy? Two major decisions
Conditioners EER (Energy Efficiency Ratio) for room air Area in square feet Btu/hour should guide your
conditioners. The higher the EER, the more 100 to 150 5,000 purchase. Buy a
efficient the unit is. ENERGY STAR® units 150 to 250 6,000 correctly sized unit.
are among the most energy-efficient Buy an energy-
products. 250 to 350 7,000 efficient unit. If the
350 to 400 9,000 room is very sunny,
Based on standard U.S. Government tests
400 to 450 10,000 increase capacity by
Refrigerator-Freezer
With Automatic Defrost
With Side-Mounted Freezer
XYZ Corporation
Model ABC-W
Capacity: 23 Cubic Feet
10%. If the unit is for
450 to 550 12,000
Without Through -the-Door-Ice Service
The ENERGY STAR® label is the government’s seal of approval. It was created by the U.S. Department of Energy and the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. These agencies set the criteria to help shoppers for large and small home appliances
identify the most energy-efficient products on the market. ENERGY STAR®-labeled appliances exceed existing federal
efficiency standards, typically, by 13% to 20%, and as much as 110% for some appliances. Customers can be assured that
the appliance being purchased is a high-performance product which will reduce the operating cost of that appliance or product
every month during the course of its lifetime.
29
Appliances Rating Special Considerations
Programmable For minimum ENERGY STAR® efficiency, Look for a thermostat that allows you to
Thermostats thermostats should have at least two easily use two separate programs; an
programs, four temperature settings each, “advanced recovery” feature that can be
a hold feature that allows users to programmed to reach the desired
temporarily override settings, and the ability temperature at a specific time; a hold
to maintain room temperature within 2°F feature that temporarily overrides the
of desired temperature. setting without deleting preset programs;
and the ENERGY STAR® label.
Water Look for the EnergyGuide label that tells If you typically need a lot of hot water at
Heaters how much energy the water heater uses once, the FHR will be important to you.
Based on standard U.S. Government tests
in one year. Also, look for the FHR Sizing is important—call your local utility
Refrigerator-Freezer
With Automatic Defrost
With Side-Mounted Freezer
Without Through -the-Door-Ice Service
Windows Look for the NFRC (National Fenestration Look at the Climate Region Map on the
Rating Council) label that provides ENERGY STAR® label to be sure that the
U-values and SHGC (solar heat gain window, door, or skylight you have selected
coefficient) values. The lower the U-value, is appropriate for where you live.
the better the insulation.
Refrigerators Look for the EnergyGuide label that tells Look for energy-efficient refrigerators and
and Freezers how much electricity, in kilowatt-hours freezers. Refrigerators with freezers on top
Based on standard U.S. Government tests
(kWh), the refrigerator or freezer will use are more efficient than those with freezers
Refrigerator-Freezer
With Automatic Defrost
With Side-Mounted Freezer
Without Through -the-Door-Ice Service
$68
Based on a 1995 U.S. Government national average cost of 8.4¢ per kWh for
electricity. Your actual operating cost will vary depending on your local utility rates
and your use of the product.
Important: Removal of this label before consumer purchase is a violation of Federal law (42 U.S.C. 8302).
least 20%.
Dishwashers Look for the EnergyGuide label that tells Look for features that will reduce water use,
Major Appliance Shopping Guide
(kWh), the dishwasher will use in one year. Ask how many gallons of water the
Uses Least
Energy
This Model Uses
776 kWh/year
federal standards by at least 13%. water will cost the least to operate.
$68
Based on a 1995 U.S. Government national average cost of 8.4¢ per kWh for
electricity. Your actual operating cost will vary depending on your local utility rates
and your use of the product.
Important: Removal of this label before consumer purchase is a violation of Federal law (42 U.S.C. 8302).
Clothes Look for the EnergyGuide label that tells Look for the following design features that
Washers how much electricity, in kilowatt-hours help clothes washers cut water usage:
Based on standard U.S. Government tests
(kWh), the clothes washer will use in one water level controls, “suds-saver” features,
Refrigerator-Freezer
With Automatic Defrost
With Side-Mounted Freezer
Without Through -the-Door-Ice Service
$68
Based on a 1995 U.S. Government national average cost of 8.4¢ per kWh for
electricity. Your actual operating cost will vary depending on your local utility rates
and your use of the product.
Important: Removal of this label before consumer purchase is a violation of Federal law (42 U.S.C. 8302).
used by standard washers.
30
Source List
Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Cellulose Insulation Manufacturers
Institute Association (CIMA)
4301 North Fairfax Drive, Suite 425 136 South Keowee Street
Arlington, VA 22203 Dayton, OH 45402
Phone: (703) 524-8800 Phone: (937) 222-2462
Fax: (703) 528-3816 Fax: (937) 222-5794
E-mail: ari@dgsys.com E-mail: CIMA@dayton.net
www.ari.org www.cellulose.org
American Architectural Manufacturers ENERGY STAR®
Association (AAMA) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
1827 Walden Office Square, Suite 104 401 M Street, SW, (6202J)
Schaumburg, IL 60173-4628 Washington, DC 20460
Phone: (847) 303-5664 Phone: (202) 564-9190
Fax: (847) 303-5774 Toll Free: (888) STAR-YES (782-7937)
E-mail: webmaster@AAMANET.org Fax: (202) 564-9569
www.aamanet.org Fax-back system: (202) 233-9659
www.energystar.gov
American Council for an Energy-Efficient
Economy (ACEEE) E Source, Inc.
1001 Connecticut Avenue, Suite 801 4755 Walnut Street
Washington, DC 20036 Boulder, CO 80301-2537
Phone (Research and Conferences): Phone: (303) 440-8500
(202) 429-8873 Fax: (303) 440-8502
Publications: (202) 429-0063 www.esource.com
www.aceee.org
Federal Trade Commission
American Forests Bureau of Consumer Protection
P.O. Box 2000 CRC-240
Washington, DC 20013 Washington, DC 20580
(202) 955-4500 Phone: (202) FTC-HELP (382-4357)
www.amfor.org www.ftc.gov
American Society of Landscape Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC)
Architects (ASLA) 1679 Clearlake Road
636 Eye Street, NW Cocoa, FL 32922-5703
Washington, DC 20001-3736 Phone: (407) 638-1015 or 638-1000
Phone: (202) 898-2444 Fax: (407)638-1010
Fax: (202) 898-1185 E-mail: webmaster@fsec.ucf.edu
www.asla.org www.fsec.ucf.edu
American Solar Energy Society (ASES) Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association
2400 Central Avenue, Unit G-1 1901 North Moore Street, Suite 1100
Boulder, CO 80301 Arlington, VA 22209
Phone:(303) 443-3130 Phone: (703) 525-9565
Fax: (303) 443-3212 Fax: (703) 525-0718
www.ases.org/solar www.gamanet.org
Association of Home Appliance Honeywell Inc.
Source List
32
References
U.S. Department of Energy’s Association of Home Appliance
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Manufacturers, 20 N. Wacker Drive,
Energy Clearinghouse (EREC) Suite 1231, Chicago, Il 60606,
P.O. Box 3048 (312) 984-5800.
Merrifield, VA 22116
Heede, Richard, et al. Homemade
Fax: (703) 893-0400
Money. The Rocky Mountain Institute,
TDD: (800) 273-2957
1739 Snowmass Creek Road, Snowmass,
BBS: (800) 273-2955
CO 81654-9199, (970) 927-3851.
(800) DOE-3732 (800-363-3732)
E-mail: doe.erec@nciinc.com U.S. Department of Energy’s
www.eren.doe.gov/erec/factsheets Energy Efficiency and Renewable
Energy Clearinghouse Fact Sheets,
U.S. Department of Energy’s
P.O. Box 3048, Merrifield, VA 22116,
Office of Building Technology, State and
(800) DOE-EREC (800-363-3732).
Community Programs (BTS), EE41
www.eren.doe.gov/erec/factsheets
1000 Independence Ave. SW
www.ornl.gov/roofs+walls/insulation/
Washington, D.C. 20585
ins_11.html
www.eren.doe.gov/buildings
U.S. Department of Energy Office
of Building Technology, State and
Community Programs, Core Databook,
May, 1997.
Wilson, Alex, and Morrill, John. Consumer
Guide to Home Energy Savings.
American Council for an Energy-Efficient
Economy (ACEEE), 1001 Connecticut
Avenue, Suite 801, Washington, D.C.
20036.
Available to the public from: Available to DOE and DOE contractors from:
An animated version of Energy Savers: Office of Scientific and Technical Information
Tips on Saving Energy & Money at Home (OSTI)
is available online at www.eren.doe.gov/ P.O. Box 62
consumerinfo/energy_savers Oak Ridge, TN 37831
(423) 576-8401
National Technical Information Service (NTIS)
U.S. Department of Commerce
5285 Port Royal Road
Springfield, VA 22161
(703) 487-4650
NOTICE: This booklet was prepared by an agency of the United States government. Neither the United
States government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or
References
implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any
information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe
privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade
name, trademark, manufacturer, or other-wise does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement,
recommendation, or favoring by the United States government or any agency thereof. The views and
opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States
government or any agency thereof.
33
Energy Savers: Tips on Saving Energy & Money at Home
was printed courtesy of:
Owens Corning
Phone: (419) 248-8000
Customer Service Hotline: (800) GET PINK (800-438-7465)
® www.owenscorning.com
Honeywell Inc.
Phone: (612) 951-1000
Customer Response Center: (800) 345-6770
www.honeywell.com
NT OF
ME EN
RT Produced for the
A
ER
DEP
GY
ICA
ST A
AT E S OF
DOE/GO-10098-584
August 1998 Second Printing
Printed on paper containing at least 50% wastepaper,
including 10% postconsumer waste