Transcript Keep Warm Illinois

Keep Warm Illinois
Eileen Westervelt, PE, CEM
University of Illinois
Home Utility Cost Breakout
Electric Air
Conditioning
11%
Heating
34%
Appliances
and Lighting
34%
Refrigeration
8%
Water Heating
13%
No Cost Ways to Save

Turn down your thermostat to 68
degrees

Every 1% setback = 3% savings on heating bill

Wear warm clothing to stay comfortable
Set the thermostat back to 55 degrees when
away or sleeping (save 5-20%)

Low Cost Ways to Save

Replace or clean furnace filters once a
month.


Dirty filters restrict airflow and increase energy
use.
Now is also the time for a furnace "tune-up."
Keeping your furnace clean, lubricated and
properly adjusted will reduce energy use,
saving up to 5 percent of heating costs.
No Cost Ways to Save

Reduce hot water temperature to
120º.



Save 7-11 % of water heating costs.
Insulate water supply line (first 5 feet)
Use cold water when washing
clothes.



~16% of home energy cost is for water
heating
Keep clothes dryer free of lint
Keep dryer vent free of obstructions.
Low Cost Ways to Save

Perform a Do-it-Yourself Home Energy
Audit at http://hes.lbl.gov
No Cost Ways to Save


Take a 5 minute shower instead of a
bath
Let the sun in.


Open drapes and shades on the sunny side
during the day. Close at night.
Remove window air conditioning units
for the winter.


Remove to prevent heat from escaping through
and around the unit.
If it cannot be moved, buy a cover to prevent
drafts.
No Cost Ways to Save

Close your fireplace flue.



Keep closed except when not in use.
Also shut fire place doors if installed.
Use your ceiling fan.



Run blades counter-clockwise in winter to
push warm air down into the room.
Run clockwise in the summer
When purchasing new ceiling fans,
consider an ENERGY STAR model
No Cost Ways to Save

Put your computer to sleep.



Activate "sleep" when not in use for a while.
Turn off equipment during longer periods of
non-use to cut energy costs and improve
longevity.
Don’t waste hot water.

Adjust load size on washer to fit actual load.
No Cost Ways to Save

Flip the switch.


Turn off appliances when not in use:
lights, TVs, VCRs or DVDs, computers,
other electronics.
Keep vent space clean & clear.


Make sure draperies, furniture or rugs
aren’t blocking air.
Clean regularly with a vacuum or a
broom.
No Cost Ways to Save

Clean Refrigerator Coils

Condenser coils are located in the
back of older refrigerators and at the
bottom of most new ones. They
should be periodically cleaned with a
vacuum or brush. Be sure to unplug
the refrigerator when cleaning the
coils.
Low Cost Ways to Save

Caulk is cheap. Seal around
windows, doors, and exterior walls
near the floor, electrical outlets
and plumbing penetrations. (Save
18-30% on heating.)


Caulk works best on small gaps.
Use low expansion foam product to
seal larger openings.
Where to look for air leaks.
Low Cost Ways to Save
Low Cost Ways to Save

Check the yellow energy
label on your water heater.

A low efficiency water heater
could use an insulation blanket.
Low Cost Ways to Save
Insulate Water Heater & Pipes
Low Cost Ways to Save
 Seal and Insulate Ducts
Insulation
Tape seams
Seal leaks
with
mastic or
aluminum
tape
Low Cost Ways to Save



Go low flow. Install low-flow
showerheads and sink aerators.
Repair leaky faucets promptly –
save water, money, and energy.
No storm windows? Use plastic
window kits (plastic film or rigid) to
insulate.
Low Cost Ways to Save

Install an ENERGY STAR
programmable thermostat:



Temperature automatically sets back
when asleep or away.
Consider ENERGY STAR labeled
appliances - use less energy, save
money, and help the environment.
Change a Light. Replace
incandescent light bulbs with
comparable compact fluorescent
lamps.
Compact Fluorescent Lamps



CFLs use far less
energy
Have comparable
brightness and
color rendition vs.
incandescents.
Can directly
replace standard
incandescent
bulbs.
Incandescent
CFL
25 Watt
=
5 Watt
50 Watt
=
9 Watt
60 Watt
=
15 Watt
75 Watt
=
20 Watt
100 Watt
=
25 Watt
120 Watt
=
28 Watt
150 Watt
=
39 Watt
Comprehensive Ways to Save

Check your insulation:




Check attic, ceilings, exterior and
basement walls, floors, and crawl
spaces vs. insulation levels
recommended for your area.
R-values—the higher the R-value, the
better your house will resist the
transfer of heat.
DOE recommends ranges of R-values
based on local energy costs and
climate conditions.
See Zip Code Insulation Calculator,
for economic insulation levels
Comprehensive Ways to Save

Increase your attic
insulation.



Easiest and most cost-effective
insulation option.
If less than R-19 (6 inches of
fiber glass or rock wool or 5
inches of cellulose), more could
help.
Consider insulating exterior
walls.

If attic insulated but home still
drafty and cold in the winter, or
too warm in the summer, add
insulation to the exterior walls.
Adding Insulation
Recommended
Insulation Levels
Comprehensive Ways to Save

Keep your furnace operating
efficiently:



Seasonal Inspection.
Heating and cooling = half of the energy
costs for the average home.
Ask for “temperature-rise check” to be sure
your furnace is operating in the range set by
the manufacturer.
Comprehensive Ways to Save

Look for the ENERGY STAR:



Consider replacing old gas
appliances with ENERGY STAR®
models.
If gas water heater > 12 years,
consider replacement. Look for
the Energy Factor (EF)- the
higher, the more efficient.
If furnace > 15 years, consider an
ENERGY STAR rated model about 15 % more efficient vs.
standard.
Should You Replace Your Furnace?


If furnace >10 years
and repair costs > $500,
replace rather than repair.
If your furnace is old but not
broken, deciding when to replace it
can be difficult:



Average life of furnaces: 16 -20 years.
Boilers life: 30 years.
Start shopping before life is over, so
you won’t make a hasty decision
Replacing your furnace?



Emergency shopping can be costly
If house is large with high heating bills, may
be cost-effective to purchase a high efficiency
model now.
If repairing furnace, look for a heating
professional who has experience with your
type of heating system.
Comprehensive Ways to Save

Contact a Home Energy
Rater.


An energy audit of your
home will identify best
investments.
Visit the Illinois Association of
Energy Raters website at
http://www.ilenergyraters.org
for more information.
When Buying New Appliances

Check the EnergyGuide label.



Estimated yearly energy
consumption and cost.
Your actual energy consumption
and cost will vary.
Scale for comparison with other
models
Energy Assistance Programs

Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program
(LIHEAP):
 Illinois LIHEAP helps eligible households pay for
winter energy services.
 One-time benefit based on income, household size,
fuel type, and geographic location.
 One-time reconnection assistance for households
disconnected after nonpayment.
 Administered by the Illinois Department of
Healthcare and Family Services. Funding provided
by local community action agencies or not-for-profit
agencies.
 Inquire: 800-252-8643.
Energy Assistance Programs

Illinois Home Weatherization
Assistance Program (IHWAP):




Helps low income residents save fuel and
money, while increasing the comfort of their
homes.
Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy
(DOE), the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services (HHS), and the state
supplemental Energy Assistance Fund.
Weatherization services provided by local
community action agencies or not-for-profit
agencies.
http://www.weatherizationillinois.com/comm
unity.html
Tax Incentives

Energy Policy Act of 2005 has energy efficiency
incentives for existing homes.



Average home loses 10 - 50 % of its energy through
inadequate insulation and inefficient lights and appliances.
Energy bill offers consumers tax credits for making energy
efficiency improvements in homes.
Ten percent cost-based credit to for energy
improvements (limit $500):
 $200 for windows.
 $50 for advanced main air circulating fan.
 $150 for furnace or hot water boiler.
 $300 for any energy-efficient building property,
including heat pumps; central air conditioners; and
water heaters.
Tax Incentives (con’t)


Qualified improvements meet efficiency criteria in
International Energy Conservation Code (metal roof - meets
ENERGY STAR requirements).
A thirty percent credit ($2,000 limit) for renewable energy
systems put into service in 2006 and 2007:






residential solar photovoltaic systems
solar water heating systems (not for swimming pools or hot
tubs).
Labor costs, assembly, or original installation may qualify.
Systems put into service in taxable year.
Components shall remain in use for at least five years.
The tax credit goes into effect on January 1, 2006 and expires
on December 31, 2007.
Winter Storm Preparedness

Gather emergency supplies for work or home:







A battery-powered radio (NOAA Weather or commercial)
and extra batteries.
Foods that don’t require cooking or refrigeration. Include
high-energy foods such as dried fruit and candy.
Extra medications and special items for babies, the
disabled or elderly.
Water in clean containers
Flashlights with extra batteries
Rock salt
Sand
http://www.keepwarm.illinois.gov/Preparedness.cfm
http://www.keepwarm.illinois.gov/