This past week, I had an e-conservation home retrofit. This retrofit was a follow up to the class I attended on home energy conservation at NC State. The visit normally would cost around $700, but as part of the e-conservation program, I only paid $100 (difference was subsidized by the NC Department of Energy). The entire process took about three hours and included following:
A quick tour of my home with discussion about my concerns
Sealing exterior wall outlets and switches
Wall switch before insulation
Wall switch that has been caulked for insulation
Wall switch with insulation added
Sealing exterior wall electrical outlet with insulation
Installing a low flow shower head
Low flow shower head
Insulating pipes
Pipes before insulation
Pipes after insulation
Sealing gaps in the floor register vents
Floor vent before insulation
Floor vent after insulation
Duct Sealant used on vents
Craw space inspection
Dryer vent cleaning
HVAC and duct work inspection
Attic insulation inspection
Checking insulation in attic
Ceiling hatch gap sealing
Ceiling hatch to attic before sealing
Ceiling hatch with insulating foam
Ceiling hatch with insulation
Weather stripping to create better seal
Insulation foam sealant
Exterior door trim installation
Adding trim on exterior door
Cleaning of refrigerator system
Cleaning off dust and lint under the refrigerator
Turning off pilot light on our gas fireplace
Gas insert fireplace
Gas line and pilot light ignitor
Next Steps
The insulation in the attic is R20 and the current standard for insulation is R38. Adding more insulation would add to efficiency, but it isn't something we have to do.
I asked about putting a blanket around the water heater in the garage to save energy. Because there is an open flame, ERS does not recommend doing this.
One of the small things Matt and Tracey mentioned to me was that they learned child electrical outlet safety covers help reduce air leakage / energy loss. So I need to go out and buy quite a few now.
During the craw space inspection, it was noted that we need to create a vapor barrier to trap moisture and create a better seal under our house. Matt recommended a black 6 mm plastic with taped seams using Typar tape. Cost should be around $100.
Finally, I have signed up for an online program call Resispeak that will track and analyze my gas and electric usage both before the retrofit and for at least the next two years. Hopefully the data gathered will both demonstrate the success of this retrofit as well show how we are saving money.
Screen shot from Resispeak of gas usage
Conclusion
While it's too soon to know whether the e-conservation home retrofit will pay for itself in savings, it already feels like our HVAC is working more efficiently. Additionally, I feel like I know my home and it's features better. For example, I now know where the gas line / pilot light for my fireplace is located. I recommend having these improvements done in every home that is at least 10 years old and await the data to justify my assumptions.
This past week, I attended at Home Energy Conservation Workshop taught by
Laura Langham and offered by NC State’s Cooperative Extension Office with
funding from the North Carolina Department of Energy.
In less than two hours, Langham reviewed energy saving tips and facts
that add up to big takeaways from making small changes...
Laura Langham
Biggest “Takeaways” from the Presentation
“Saving energy is saving money!”
“Find an energy diet that works for you.”
“This is your chance for you to get to know your house.” It is an
opportunity to build your own skills and learn more about your house.
Outcomes
The typical house in the U.S. spends around $2000 a year on utility
bills. If you can save 10% by making small changes, that’s $200 or more in your
pocket.
Lower utilities
Healthier home
Helping the environment by using less energy
“Saving energy is saving money!”
HVAC
Air leakage is the biggest energy hog in your house and the most important thing
you should consider addressing in your energy conservation.
On average in North Carolina, space heating or cooling is 45% of all utility costs. Water
heating is next at 18%. Lighting is only 6%.
Is your HVAC right sized? If so, it’s more efficient.Check your user’s manual for your HVAC
system. If you can’t find it, many of them are now on line electronically.
Change your filters regularly. Put it on your calendar so you don’t
forget.
Tune up your HVAC system
Make sure nothing is blocking your HVAC system (ie. bushes)
Consider placing a fence or trellis a few feet away from the system to
keep it shaded during the hottest times of the day
Make sure your condensation line is not blocked
Install a programmable thermostat. It’s the equivalent of cruise control
for your car. If you are on a regular schedule, it works great.
Consider setting thermostat at 60 degreesin the winter at night and sleeping with bigger blankets on your bed. During
the winter, If your spend most of your time in the living room at night, consider
keeping an electric blanket on the couch of your living room.
“Find an energy diet that works for you.”
Programmable thermostat
Laundry
Do full loads of laundry
Clean at back of dryer
Clean out dryer hose
Clean vent flap where dryer exhaust / moisture leaves the house
Do your laundry in cold water.90%
of the energy used in washing laundry is heating the water
When doing your laundry, do loads in a row as the dryer will be more
efficient
Keep a drying rack in your laundry room or air dry your laundry (if your
home owner’s association will allow it. If they don’t, consider advocating
clothes lines for your neighborhood.)
Dirty dryer vent flap outside of house
Water Heater
Lower the temperature on your water heater (120 degrees is ideal). Wrap
your water heater (especially if it is located in your garage).
Consider a programmable thermostat for your water heater
If you have a long distance from the water heater to your bathroom or
kitchen, consider a “on demand” system to save water
Water heater thermostat
Attic Hatch
The attic hatch is a very common place to lose energy. Make sure it is closed and sealed properly after every use. Try this test...Turn on your attic light, close hatch door, turn off lights below.If you can see light through the hatch door,
you are losing energy (hot or cold air).
Attic hatch
Outside
Have less grass (Grass is the biggest energy hog in your yard)
Plant native plants
Use drip irrigation and rain barrels for watering
Use garden hoses less
Rain barrel
Other Tips
When you go to purchase a new appliance, don’t just think about purchase
price. Thank about the operating cost. Total cost = Purchase price plus
operating price.
Purchase Energy Star appliances.
Turn off ceiling fans when no one is in the room.
Address phantom energy consumption.This is power used by your cell phone to recharge a phone that has
already reached 100% capacity. Or it’s the power consumed by the TV in the off
position.
Seal your fireplace when its not in use (but leave yourself a note to
remind you that your fireplace is blocked!)
