Green Living is the Life For
Me!
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...
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| 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 degrees in 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.”
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| 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.)
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| 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
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| 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).
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| 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
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| 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!)
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| Turn off ceiling fans when no one is in the room |
Websites / Resources
Thanks for checking out my blog and clicking on my
sponsors!
Rick
apexgardner@gmail.com
@apexgardner (Twitter)
http://apexlazydogblog.blogspot.com/
Rick
apexgardner@gmail.com
@apexgardner (Twitter)
http://apexlazydogblog.blogspot.com/
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