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Going Green: The Planet and Your Pocketbook – Greening Up Your Home to Save Money
By Chad Felix
On the whole, the last decade saw a population concerned with saving the planet. Coming into the new year, we’re all rightly concerned about saving something else as well: money. Thankfully, there is a way we can do both, starting with an in-home energy assessment. Also known as a home energy audit, an energy assessment is a home walk-through in search of ways to improve energy efficiency. Once inefficiencies are identified, homeowners can form an effective plan for their solution.
The benefits of an energy audit are three-fold. First, saving energy means saving you money. Reducing your monthly electric bill is just the start; additional savings, via federal tax credits, are also available to homeowners who upgrade their homes with energy efficient products deemed eligible by government programs like Energy Star (www.energystar.gov). Second, an energy efficient home is a comfortable home. And finally, conserving energy means conserving our planet’s valuable resources. Just think of it as the sound foundation for your new year of dollar-saving, Earth-conscious good deeds.
Bright Idea for Savings
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, home illumination accounts for nearly 15% of your total bill. Studies show that if every American home replaced just one light with a light that’s earned the Energy Star, we would save enough energy to light 3 million homes for a year, save about $600 million in energy costs, and prevent 9 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions per year. Though more expensive at the checkout counter, Energy Star CFLs make up for it by saving energy, replacing incandescent bulbs of 3-4 times their wattage and lasting up to fifteen times longer. Just be sure to recycle; most CFLs contain traces of soil leaching mercury.
Smart Tip: Invest in a Smart Strip ($20-40), a device that shuts off power devices when not in use, thereby eliminating unnecessary idle current and potentially boosting power savings to about 73%.
The Heat is On
In a typical U.S. home, heating and cooling account for 56% of energy usage. As such, it’s crucial units are maintained and inspected at intervals suggested by the manufacturer. Generally, if your unit is more than fifteen years old, it is costing you and the environment too much to maintain. While the replacement of large home-appliances is never cheap, the money saved in energy costs offsets the expense over time. Replacing a 10-year-old unit with a newer model boasting a high Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) rating can reduce your costs by 20-40%. Moreover, tax incentives and manufacturer rebates are often available to lessen the burden. Visit www.energysavers.com for incentives offered in Las Vegas.
Weather Stripping Woes
Other culprits of energy waste are air leaks. By blocking these drafts, homeowners can save between 5% and 30% on their energy bill. Check for leaks first by observing, then attempting to shake doors and windows. If you see daylight around a closed door, or upon shaking they rattle or shift, you may need to add or replace old weather stripping. If your windows and doors are old, consider updating or enhancing them with products that promote efficiency, such as storm doors, awnings, high-reflectivity films, shades, etc. Next, examine baseboards, electrical outlets, switch plates and attic hatches. For many of these, hardware stores provide ready-made products designed to eliminate the problem, but they can usually be fixed with caulk (or weather stripping for attic hatches). In the attic, heed air leaks around exposed pipes, ductwork, etc.
Tip: Simple and cheap, weather stripping is a sure bet and relatively easy to install. A simple search for “weather stripping” on www.familyhandyman.com offers guidance for proper installation.
Behind the Walls
Proper insulation and draft elimination go hand in hand, working together to resist the natural flow of warm air into cooler air, thereby reducing your heating and cooling costs substantially. As evaluating and installing your own insulation requires a bit more know-how than changing a light bulb, only those with prior experience should attempt it without professional help. However, it is good to understand that some forms of insulation are greener than others. Fiberglass insulation, for example, is made up of 40% recycled content; however, the process of creating it is an energy-intensive one. Cellulose insulation is 30 times more efficient to make than fiberglass and mineral wool, and comes largely from recycled newspapers. Similarly, cotton insulation is recyclable, plant-based, renewable and made largely of recycled materials. Consult with a professional to determine the greenest option suitable for your home.
So, with an increased, eco-conscious fervor, 2011 can be another grandiose step in the direction of big savings. Practical and easy enough for most homeowners, a home energy assessment is an excellent jumpstart for both saving money and committing year-round to helping out good old planet Earth.
Sidebar
If 2011 has brought you less time and more work, or maybe you just don’t have the know-how, professional companies are available to perform an energy assessment at your convenience. With specialized tools, equipment and knowledge, these companies can help maximize your savings and foolproof your efforts.
Service 1st Energy Solutions:
463-0244
Southwest Thermal Solutions:
www.southwestthermalsolutions.com
570-5932
Nevada Energy Audit:
448-2500
