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Energy Conservation and Energy Efficiency Tips for New and Existing Homes

     

New Homes

Buyers of new homes can apply most of the strategies outlined in the tips for existing homes, too. Plus, a new home offers additional opportunities to increase the energy efficiency of a house because you're specifying the products and systems that will go into the house.

If you are shopping for a new home, look for these features, or ask for an upgrade to include the following energy features:

  • Insulation: Check for the appropriate amount of insulation for your climate in the walls, roof assembly, and floor. The thermal performance of walls is more important in northern climates where heating needs are driven by the large difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures. Wall R-values typically range from R-11 to R-23, and the builder can increase the R-value even more by simply adding a layer of foam sheathing and using higher density insulation between the wall studs. R-values for the floors generally range from R-11 to R-25, and in the ceiling from R-19 to R-50. Nominal R-values will not be achieved without proper installation, so choose your insulation contractor carefully. For information on the Research Center's certified insulation contractor program, click here.
  • Look for high-performance windows. Buying and installing double-pane windows that have high-performance glass (e.g., low-e coated or solar control spectrally selective) and are filled with gas may help you downsize the home's heating and cooling equipment since the energy efficient windows help reduce heat loss in the winter and heat gain in summer.
  • Ask for energy efficient heating and cooling equipment. Nearly 50 percent of a typical home's utility bill goes toward heating and cooling. By installing the appropriate amount of insulation, properly sealing your home, and installing the correctly sized heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) equipment, you will create a comfortable and energy efficient home. Look for furnaces with an Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating of between 80 percent for conventional furnaces to 94 percent for high-efficiency or condensing furnaces, and a central air conditioning unit with a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) rating of at least 12. Heat pumps offer another option for HVAC equipment, and perform both heating and cooling functions. Select a heat pump with a Heating Season Performance Factor (HSPF) greater than 7 and SEER rating of at least 12. Units with SEER ratings up to 18 are available. Regardless of the type of HVAC used, programmable thermostats (and adaptive recovery thermostats for heat pumps) help homeowners automatically set their equipment to turn on or off to create a comfortable and energy efficient living environment.
  • Choose energy-efficient appliances and lighting. Manufacturers have made great strides over the past 15 years in improving the performance of refrigerators, dishwashers, and clothes washers and dryers. Read the appliance's EnergyGuide label, as it will provide an estimate of the unit's annual operating costs. Light fixtures used more than two hours per day on average are good candidates for compact fluorescent lamps. The energy bill savings will more than pay for the extra cost of the lamps over their lifetime, and you will have to replace fewer lamps because fluorescent lamps last ten times longer than incandescent light bulbs. Installing motion sensors or timers on outdoor lights, instead of leaving lights on during nighttime hours, can help reduce the electricity bill for these high-use lamps. Solar-powered lights are also available to meet outdoor lighting needs in an energy-efficient manner.
  • Consider using the sun's energy to help reduce your utility bills. Some areas of the country receive a great deal of sunlight during the year and can use that energy to heat their water and reduce their electricity bill. Solar water heaters can meet a home's hot water needs. Photovoltaic (PV) systems are being used in some parts of the U.S. to convert sunlight into electricity. PV systems are becoming a more attractive long-term investment for the new homeowner as the average rates for utility-supplied power increase.
  • Use your hot water wisely. Water heating typically accounts for 10 to 25 percent of the energy used in the home. There are numerous ways homeowners can reduce the amount of energy they use to heat water: turn down the water heater's thermostat setting to 115 to 120o F; buy an energy efficient water heater; install non-aerating, low-flow faucets and showerheads; use the "warm" water setting on your clothes washer instead of the "hot" water setting; and set your dishwasher to "energy saver" or "water saver."
  • Check to ensure that the house is well sealed against air leakage. In some areas of the country, as much as 30 to 40 percent of a home's energy load can be attributed to the leakage of outside air into the home. Air enters the home through gaps between framing materials and improperly installed insulation, through holes drilled for plumbing and wiring, and around doors and windows. Consider having a blower door test done once the home is built to test how well the house is sealed. Utility companies can refer you to contractors that perform this diagnostic test. Keep in mind that homes that are built tightly may need supplemental ventilation to maintain adequate indoor air quality.
  • Optimize the efficiency of your duct system by locating ducts within the conditioned space of your house, minimizing the length of duct runs, and making sure ducts are well sealed so they don't leak air. If ducts are routed in unconditioned areas, like attics or basements, make sure they are insulated to reduce heat loss.

Existing Homes

Reducing home energy usage can add comfort and provide long-term financial gains for consumers. Energy conservation means taking steps and adopting habits that decrease the amount of energy used to operate one's home. Energy efficiency means using improved technology to decrease energy demand. Both of these areas offer homeowners ways to reduce their energy bills - and actions range from very simple efforts like closing windows and turning off lights, to installing new, high-efficiency heating and cooling equipment.

The typical U.S. household spends $1,000 to $1,500 each year on utility bills. Of this total, energy usage breaks down in the following way:

  • Heating and cooling (1/2)
  • Appliances and lighting (1/3)
  • Water heating (1/8)

Below are some simple conservation and efficiency improvements that most homeowners can undertake this summer:

  • Set your thermostat to a higher temperature in the summer. Or, install a programmable thermostat ($40 - $100) that you can program to match the heating and cooling of your home to your own personal schedule. These units typically offer savings of 10 to 15 percent without compromising comfort.
  • Check and change air filters regularly. Dirty filters can reduce heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system efficiency. In the event you need to replace your central air conditioning unit, ensure that the new unit has at least a SEER-12 rating.
  • Replace high-use lights with compact fluorescent lamps. Light fixtures used more than two hours per day on average are good candidates for replacement with compact fluorescent lamps. The energy bill savings will more than pay for the extra cost of the lamps over their lifetime, and you will have to replace fewer lamps because fluorescent lamps last ten times longer than ordinary light bulbs. Installing motion sensors or timers on outdoor lights, instead of leaving the lights on during nighttime hours, can also help to reduce the electricity bill.
  • Look for sources of air leakage in your house. Outdoor air leakage comprises up to 30 per cent of the overall heating and cooling load, so cutting down on air leakage offers significant savings for a job that requires little in the way of costs. Common products like weather stripping can be used to plug leaks from cracks and holes at locations like door frames, windows, and attic access hatches.
  • Check insulation levels and possibly add additional insulation in attics and crawlspaces. Local utilities or Home Builder Associations can help you determine the recommended insulation levels for your area. This conservation effort decreases heating and cooling costs and increases comfort.
  • For homes with forced-air heating/cooling systems, seal duct joints with mastic or high-quality, UL-listed foil-backed duct tape and insulate ducts in unconditioned spaces like attics and crawlspaces.
  • Set the temperature on your water heater to 115 to 120º F. Higher settings are unnecessary and more costly.
  • Consider alternatives to help keep your home cool. Fans and dehumidifiers use less energy than air conditioners and can help to make the home comfortable during the warm months.
  • When buying or replacing appliances, choose energy efficient models.
  • Weatherize your windows, and consider replacing single-pane windows. Double-pane windows that are gas-filled with high performance glass (e.g., low emissivity or "low-e" glass) perform much better than their single-pane counterparts.
  • Use less hot water. The less hot water you use, the less your water heater has to work. To accomplish this, consider replacing your shower head with a low-flow shower fixture, use your dishwasher's "energy saver" and/or "water saver" setting, and consider switching your clothes washer's temperature setting from hot to warm or cold.
  • Practice conservation habits to save energy. Turn off lights that aren't being used, take shorter showers, and run the dishwasher only for full loads. All of these small steps can have a big impact on utility bills.
  • Properly placed trees and shrubs help to reduce your utility bills. Deciduous trees planted on the west and south sides of your home help to keep your house shaded during the day's peak heating times.