Introduction and Background The Energy Efficient Home Energy Audits and Calculators Approaches to Saving Energy New Technology Energy Conservation Incentives Conclusion
Definition - Energy conservation is the practice of decreasing the quantity of energy used. It may be achieved through efficient energy use, in which case energy use is decreased while achieving a similar outcome, or by reduced consumption of energy services. Energy conservation may result in increase of financial capital, environmental value, national security, personal security, and human comfort. Individuals and organizations that are direct consumers of energy may want to conserve energy in order to reduce energy costs and promote economic security. Industrial and commercial users may want to increase efficiency and thus maximize profitefficient energy use financial capitalenvironmentalnational securitypersonal securityhuman comfort consumers
Sustainable Energy A three legged stool 1) Conservation – Use less! 2) Improve Efficiency – Technology and do more with less 3) Renewable Energy – Invest in the future
Household Consumption Texas 14,000 kw hour/year Ontario 10,000 kw hour/year California 6,500 kw hour/year Netherlands 3,000 kw hour/year Were the Energy Hogs of the World
How energy is used For an annual energy in Ontario homes bill of $2,000 Space heating 57-62% $1,140 - $1,240 Water heating 20-21% $400 - $420 Appliances 12-13% $240 - $260 Lighting 4-5% $80 - $100 Cooling 0-7% $0 - $200
Typical Annual Heating Costs Geothermal $407 Natural Gas$773 - $1,186 Electric$1,017 Fuel Oil$2,076 - $2,976 Propane$2,082 - $2,968 Wood Pellet$ Wood
Annual Water Heating Costs Geothermal Assisted Electric $170 Natural Gas $180-$320 Electric $300-$530 Fuel Oil $516-$591 Propane $520-$650 Solar $120-$210
ApplianceWatts Annual UseCost Clothes Dryer Clothes Washer Computer Dishwasher Food Freezer Microwave Oven Stove(Oven) Fridge Television Air Conditioner
Quick Tips to save energy in the home Improving a homes air tightness can reduce consumption by 15-40% Front loading washers use 50% less electricity and up to 50% less water Programmable thermostat – 2 for 1 Microwave ovens use up to 75% less Laptop computers use 90% less Buying Energy Star appliances can save 25%+
Electricity Efficiency Tips - Save energy with these simple, practical tips. Many of these suggestions dont require tools or out-of-pocket expense. Watch over time to see your energy efficiency increase and your savings grow. Go to the OPA website for a complete list and interactive forum for all appliances and heating and cooling devices : and-tips/
Websites for more Facts and Insights on how to save energy in your home /powerwise/index.cfm /powerwise/index.cfm action=conservation.tips action=conservation.tips
Green Buildings – The typical house can cause twice the greenhouse gas emissions of the typical car Buildings use 12% of the total water consumed, contribute 30% of our greenhouse gases contribute 65% of the waste output and consume 70% of the total electricity consumed by Canadians
Whats Being Done? R-2000 Leadership in Engineering and Environmental Design (LEED) Energy Star Green Build Home Institutional Commercial
R-2000 A building standard based mainly on energy targets Superior construction methods including lots of insulation, high quality windows and doors, elimination of leaks and drafts Take advantage of passive solar and high efficiency heat, cooling and air exchange
LEEDS Point System Four Levels of Certification Certified Silver Gold Platinum
Six Categories Sustainable Sites Water Efficiency Energy and Atmosphere Materials and Resources Indoor Environmental Quality Innovation
ENERGY STAR® for New Homes The ENERGY STAR for New Homes initiative promotes energy efficiency guidelines that enable new homes to be approximately 30 percent more energy efficient than those built to minimum provincial building codes.. This initiative is currently available in Ontario and Saskatchewan and is managed for Natural Resources Canada by regional service organizations.
Energy-efficient construction techniques and products Improved indoor environments Water-efficient products and processes Renewable Energy options Waste reduction and recycling during construction Smart growth and sustainable land development practices
Built Green – Four Levels and Eight Categories Operational Systems Building Materials Outside and Inside finishes Indoor Air Quality Waste Management Ventilation Water Conservation Business practices
Home Energy audit shows where your home leaks and identifies improvements that can be made to heating, cooling, hot water and other energy uses in the home The Government of Ontario will pay 50% of your Home Energy Audit, up to $150. The audit will explain your home's energy use attic to basement. A typical audit involves the following steps: A walk-through assessment of your homes insulation, heating and cooling systems and other energy uses A blower door depressurization test to identify leaks and drafts A personalized Energy Efficiency Evaluation Report
The audit will explain your home's energy use attic to basement. A typical audit involves the following steps: A walk-through assessment of your homes insulation, heating and cooling systems and other energy uses A blower door depressurization test to identify leaks and drafts A personalized Energy Efficiency Evaluation Report Many of the energy-saving upgrades identified by your Home Energy Audit will qualify you for rebates under the Home Energy Retrofit Program. These rebates from the Governments of Ontario and Canada can reimburse you up to $10,000* when you complete improvements identified by your audit.
To Get Started To qualify for rebates, you need to first complete a Home Energy Audit with a certified energy advisor. After this audit, you have 18 months to make some or all of the upgrades your energy advisor recommends. After completing the work, you need a post-retrofit audit. You will receive rebates for the amounts allowed for each eligible upgrade you make, up to $10,000, even if you do the work yourself
Where to start Call Website Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure 900 Bay Street, 4th Floor Hearst Block Toronto, Ontario M7A 2E1
Energy Calculators Wattage # x Hours used ÷ 1,000 = kWh (kilowatt hours)kWh x $ = Total kWh Charge (price for electricity – will vary by location) A variety of calculators are available to measure a range of energy uses, alternatives and different applications. For appliances check m?attr=4 m?attr=4 ppliance_calculator/
For Home Heating check: ergy_costs.shtml For a variety of other applications check and-tips/
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – Part of an effective conservation program Energy Audit – Identify your best bets Energy Calculator – Identify those areas that use the most energy – Remember home heating accounts for 60%+ of your energy consumption with hot water next! Make a plan, set some goals Involve the whole family
Increase everyones understanding of the benefits of energy efficiency Make the link between actions and behaviour by individuals and potential savings Motivate users to modify behaviour Share the goal of reducing energy consumption and saving money
Not the silver bullet yet Green Building – Most of this new technology is expected to be in the new Ontario Building Code planned for 2012 – but you can access and use it now! Energy Star – government-backed symbol for energy efficiency – meets federally regulated minimum energy performance standards (MPS)
Smart Meters Will replace existing meters and record & report your electricity usage by hour Will enable you to better manage your electricity consumption and take advantage of time of use pricing Will be in place in every home and business by 2010
Smart Meters Youll be able to take action to shift your use to lower priced times Real hourly data about your electricity use will be available over the internet Youll get more information to better reflect your usage pattern on your bill Research in Europe and Ontario has shown real reductions of 5%-15%
Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Renewable Energy Incentives Remote Smart Metering for all appliances By changing just one incandescent light bulb to a compact flourescent, the NE region of Ontario could save over $1,000,000 in electricity!
Incentives Home Energy Audit Program - Govt of Ontario pays 50% up to $150 - Upgrades Identified are eligible for up to $10,000 in federal and provincial grants Examples Include:
Energy Star Gas Furnace - $1000 Ground Water Source Heat Pump - $ Baseboard Program. Thermostats - $60 Upgrade Wood Burning Stove - $600 Instantaneous Gas Hotwater - $600 Attic Insulation bring up to R-40 - $800 Basement Insulation 20%-100% -$200-$1000
Ontario Power Authority Sponsored The Great Refrigerator Round Up $25 rebate when a program registered contractor installs a programmable thermostat. $125 rebate when you have an existing furnace replaced with the purchase and installation of a mid or high-efficiency furnace with an Electronically Commutated Motor (ECM). $250 rebate when you have an existing central air conditioner (CAC) replaced with the purchase and installation of an ENERGY STAR qualified CAC system, heat pump or ductless split system (NOTE: ENERGY STAR qualified criteria = minimum 14 SEER and 11.5 EER ). $400 rebate when you have an existing CAC replaced with the purchase and installation of a stand-alone CEE "Tier 2" level central air conditioning system or heat pump Peaksaver - $25 if you let you local LCD cycle down your AC
Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings, a one- stop resource for consumers who want to improve their homes energy performance and reduce costs ISBN: Soft Cover, 5.5" x 8.5", 256 pp., illustrated, index, 2007
The Low Hanging Fruit Install Programmable Thermostats and turn the heat down – Remember each 1degree can save 2-3% on heating costs Wrap your electric water heater in an approved blanket and drain sediment annually Turn off lights and appliances when not in use Install ceiling fans in all possible locations Use toaster oven or microwave for small to medium sized meals
Defrost freezers and fridges and get rid of the old ones Switch your energy use to non peak times Buy Energy Star appliances wherever possible Plant a tree – deciduous on the south conifer on the north Talk about it with family and friends! Change furnace filters monthly Check the air pressure in your car tires
The kind of thinking that has got us into this situation is not the kind of thinking that will get us out - Albert Einstein