1 Residential Energy Conservation Workshop content provided by The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Office of Energy and Technology Deployment Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Kathleen A. McGinty, Secretary

2 Presented by: Residential Energy Conservation Workshop

3 Where do we use Energy? Residential Energy Conservation Workshop

4 First things first: how much Energy did you use last year? – For Heating? Natural Gas, Propane, Fuel Oil, Electricity – For Lighting & Appliances? Electricity Residential Energy Conservation Workshop

5 What did you pay last year for Energy? – Add up your bills from last year – The average PA resident spent around $2000 in 2004 – Your heating energy component will likely increase at least 21% meaning $2280 this year Unless conservation measures are taken Residential Energy Conservation Workshop

6 Why have energy costs risen? – Weather Katrina Rita – Increased Demand China India Residential Energy Conservation Workshop

7 Some Tips on Saving Money this Winter Residential Energy Conservation Workshop

8 TWO Avenues…. Things you can do Services provided by others Residential Energy Conservation Workshop

9 Things You Can Do… – No Cost Energy Savers – Low Cost Energy Savers Financial Info… – Federal Energy Bill of 2005 – Weatherization Program – LIHEAP Residential Energy Conservation Workshop

10 Things you can do… – No Cost Energy Savers Combined - will save around 10% Residential Energy Conservation Workshop

11 No Cost Energy Savers… Landscaping – Trim or remove evergreens and shrubs that block out the sun But only if they are not needed more for summer shade or as a windscreen Only applies to sunny side of house Residential Energy Conservation Workshop

12 No Cost Energy Savers… Drapes & Curtains – Close draperies at night and on cloudy days – Open them on sunny days But only for windows that receive sunlight But only while the sunlight is coming in Keep those sunny side windows clean Residential Energy Conservation Workshop

13 No Cost Energy Savers… Living Space Choices – Use a sunny room as living space All the time or for activities on particularly cold days Dark upholstered furniture and rugs will soak up the heat when placed in a sunny spot This allows you to set back the thermostat Residential Energy Conservation Workshop

14 No Cost Energy Savers… Clothing Choices – Wear layers of clothing A sweater over a shirt over an undergarment Air trapped between clothing layers is a good insulator Dark clothing will soak up the heat when you sit in a sunny spot Residential Energy Conservation Workshop

15 No Cost Energy Savers… Sleeping Choices – Use more blankets in bed at night Turn the thermostat down Keep warm without having to heat the whole house Using a space heater in the bedroom is not a good solution – the blankets keep the heat from you and there is an increased possibility for accidents such as fire or burns Residential Energy Conservation Workshop

16 No Cost Energy Savers… Storm Windows – Dont forget to install your storm doors/windows The extra panels insulate The extra panels prevent drafts – Infiltration can be 25% of heat losses Residential Energy Conservation Workshop

17 No Cost Energy Savers… Attic Door – Make sure the door or hatch to the attic seals well and closes tightly A gap around this door can leak worse than others due to the stack effect Sealing it will slow or prevent outside air from coming in at other cracks Residential Energy Conservation Workshop

18 No Cost Energy Savers… Radiators & Heaters – Uncover heating units; dont block them – Clean around fins and coils – When painting radiators, use darker colors – Put reflectors/lighter colored paint behind heaters located on exterior walls Residential Energy Conservation Workshop

19 No Cost Energy Savers… Thermostat Settings – Lower your thermostat by two or three degrees – or more - as much as you can stand; keep it above 55 if possible Each degree lowered can save 3% on heating Residential Energy Conservation Workshop

20 No Cost Energy Savers… Thermostat Setbacks – Set your thermostat to 64 degrees - or lower While you're away While you sleep Unless there are health issues Residential Energy Conservation Workshop

21 No Cost Energy Savers… Water Heater Setting – Lower the water heater thermostat To the lowest level that meets your hot water needs – usually midway between the "low" and "medium" settings 10 degree drop saves 5% on water heating costs Check the hot water temperature - 120° is usually sufficient and is safer for children than any higher setting Residential Energy Conservation Workshop

22 No Cost Energy Savers… Clothes Washer – Wash full loads of laundry only – dont overfill though Half load uses almost as much energy as full load – Wash clothes on warm or cold setting - try the new cold water laundry detergents Residential Energy Conservation Workshop

23 No Cost Energy Savers… Dishwashers – Wash full loads of dishes only Half load uses almost as much energy as full load – Use the no-heat air-dry setting – Hand-washing often uses more water than a dishwasher Residential Energy Conservation Workshop

24 No Cost Energy Savers… Clothes Dryers – Hang laundry whenever possible – Dry clothes by weight (follow tags too!) – Clean the lint trap after each load – and the vent pipe periodically – Dont vent the dryer indoors Puts too much moisture indoors Condensation issues and possible mold Residential Energy Conservation Workshop

25 No Cost Energy Savers… Household Exhaust Fans – Dont run bath or stove fans any longer than necessary They exhaust heated air from the house – Make sure bath moisture is exhausted by closing the bathroom door and opening the window Only displaces air in the bathroom Residential Energy Conservation Workshop

26 No Cost Energy Savers… Refrigerators – Check the temperature settings – Too low a setting uses extra energy Freezer section should be 0° to 5° Refrigerated section should be 35° to 40° – Clean the condenser coils in the back – Clean the door gaskets to ensure a good seal – use a thin film of dish soap to help keep it sticky – and therefore closed! Residential Energy Conservation Workshop

27 No Cost Energy Savers… Computers – Make sure the Energy Management software is installed and operating – Set the software to make the PC hibernate or sleep after 20 or 30 minutes – Turn the PC power off if not used for more than a day Residential Energy Conservation Workshop

28 No Cost Energy Savers… Fireplace – If you do not have an insert, avoid using the fireplace Fireplaces remove warm air from the home Most fireplaces – even those that use outside air – are not highly efficient at burning the fuel – When not in use, tightly close the damper and consider sealing it off during the coldest months Residential Energy Conservation Workshop

29 Things you can do… – Low Cost Energy Savers $2 to $8 costs for most 1/2 to 2 year payback Residential Energy Conservation Workshop

30 Low Cost Energy Savers… Main Enemy - INFILTRATION Residential Energy Conservation Workshop

31 Low Cost Energy Savers… Find and stop infiltration Residential Energy Conservation Workshop

32 Low Cost Energy Savers… Window Kits – Install plastic window coverings – inside or out Stop infiltration – big enemy on old homes $2 to $5 May be the BEST energy saver! Residential Energy Conservation Workshop

33 Low Cost Energy Savers… Window Kits Residential Energy Conservation Workshop

34 Low Cost Energy Savers… Door Seals – Replace gaskets (sides) and sweeps or sills (bottom) $3 to $9 Helps prevent infiltration Residential Energy Conservation Workshop

35 Low Cost Energy Savers… Door Seals Residential Energy Conservation Workshop

36 Low Cost Energy Savers… Dripping Faucets – Replace gaskets or seals, especially on hot water $2 to $5 Leaks can cost up to $4 per month! Residential Energy Conservation Workshop

37 Low Cost Energy Savers… Exterior Caulking – Remove & replace old cracked caulking Use Latex w/silicone – Inside and outside; doors & windows $2 to $4 per tube Will prevent infiltration of cold air Residential Energy Conservation Workshop

38 Low Cost Energy Savers… Exterior Caulking Residential Energy Conservation Workshop

39 Low Cost Energy Savers… Fill Cracks – Fill larger cracks and gaps with foam – Inside and outside; around hose bibs, dryer vents, etc. – Dried foam trims easily $4 to $5 per can Will stop infiltration of cold air Residential Energy Conservation Workshop

40 Low Cost Energy Savers… Foam Sealant Residential Energy Conservation Workshop

41 Low Cost Energy Savers… Wall Plate Gaskets – Install foam gaskets behind wall plates – Exterior walls especially; maybe all on old homes $2 to $3 per dozen Will minimize infiltration of cold air Residential Energy Conservation Workshop

42 Low Cost Energy Savers… Wall Plate Gaskets Residential Energy Conservation Workshop

43 Low Cost Energy Savers… HVAC Air Filters – Replace air filters regularly – Plugged filters require more fan energy – Slower air flow makes furnace run longer $4 per filter Will clean air better with less energy Residential Energy Conservation Workshop

44 Low Cost Energy Savers… HVAC Air Filters Residential Energy Conservation Workshop

45 Low Cost Energy Savers… Lighting – Replace high use incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent lamps $4 to $7 per lamp Cost 1/8th to operate Last for YEARS! Residential Energy Conservation Workshop

46 Low Cost Energy Savers… Lighting Residential Energy Conservation Workshop

47 Low Cost Energy Savers… Lighting Controls – Replace standard switches with dimmers or occupancy sensors $7 to $28 per switch Not for regular fluorescent lighting, some special fluorescent will work, read label of bulb Residential Energy Conservation Workshop

48 Low Cost Energy Savers… Shower Head – Install a low flow shower head $5 to $9 Can save $5 per month per person Residential Energy Conservation Workshop

49 Low Cost Energy Savers… Shower Head Residential Energy Conservation Workshop

50 Low Cost Energy Savers… Water Heater – If not new, install an insulation jacket $20 – Insulate first 10 feet of hot water pipe Only if not in heated area $5 to $8 Residential Energy Conservation Workshop

51 Low Cost Energy Savers… Water Heater Residential Energy Conservation Workshop

52 Low Cost Energy Savers… Programmable Thermostat – Replace manual t-stat with programmable* $20 to $50 Auto temp setback for overnight and away hours ALWAYS pays for itself within months * Be careful when removing the old one, many contain mercury – place mercury bulb in bubble wrap in a plastic jar or bottle, label it and take it to household hazardous waste collection Residential Energy Conservation Workshop

53 Low Cost Energy Savers… Programmable Thermostat Residential Energy Conservation Workshop

54 Low Cost Energy Savers… Furnace Service – Have furnace burner serviced and tuned $50 to $100 Almost always a 10% fuel reduction Not the lowest cost – but big payback Residential Energy Conservation Workshop

55 Things you can do… – No Cost Energy Savers – Low Cost Energy Savers – Many and varied – When needed, have short payback Residential Energy Conservation Workshop

56 Financial Info… – Federal Energy Bill of 2005 – Weatherization Program – LIHEAP Residential Energy Conservation Workshop

57 Federal Energy Bill of 2005 – Tax deductions up to $500 on residential energy improvements such as insulation, water heaters, furnaces, heat pumps, etc. – Residential solar energy credit up to $2000 – Wait until Jan 1, 2006 for installation Do high payback items NOW! – Consult your tax advisor Residential Energy Conservation Workshop

58 Weatherization Program – What is it? Program run by trained professionals Conduct home energy audits Determine course of action for homes Install/repair to reduce energy use Train homeowners/renters on ways to reduce energy use Residential Energy Conservation Workshop

59 Weatherization Program – Who runs it? A county-based weatherization team Funded by PA and Fed Govt Office in Delaware, Montgomery and Bucks Counties, two in Philadelphia, and anther one that serves a number of counties including Chester Residential Energy Conservation Workshop

60 Weatherization Program – What are the benefits of it? Saves homes $215 per year on average – Probably closer to $300 this year Reduces US dependence on imported oil Boosts local economies – Frees up residents cash – Businesses supply products Reduces pollution thru energy savings Residential Energy Conservation Workshop

61 Weatherization Program – Who is eligible? Low income families/households Homeowners or renters Family income guidelines: – 1 person - $14,355 – 2 persons - $19,245 – 3 persons – $24,135 – 4 persons - $29,025 – $4890 addl per dependent thereafter Residential Energy Conservation Workshop

62 Weatherization Program – How do I apply? Contact the following: Residential Energy Conservation Workshop

63 LIHEAP – What is it? A program of financial assistance Dedicated to offsetting heating costs Award amounts based on need Residential Energy Conservation Workshop

64 LIHEAP – Who runs it? Operated by Dept of Public Welfare Funded by PA & Fed Government Office in all Counties Residential Energy Conservation Workshop

65 LIHEAP – Who is eligible? Low income families/households Homeowners or renters Household income guidelines: – 1 person - $12,920 – 2 persons - $17,321 – 3 persons – $21,722 – $4401 addl per dependent thereafter Residential Energy Conservation Workshop

66 LIHEAP – How do I apply? Contact the following: XXX County Assistance Office Address City, PA 1XXXX Phone: (XXX) XXX-XXX Online: Residential Energy Conservation Workshop

67 Questions? Residential Energy Conservation Workshop ex.html