With the Grain » consumers energy

Energy Smart Home Designing Tips

Jenn Greenleaf — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 12:56:25 +0000

Everyone wants to save money, particularly on energy bills. Here are some tips for designing a new home, or renovating an old one, so it is energy efficient:

Create large over-hangs in order to keep the elements from damaging the exterior of your house better, and to prevent sun from shining directly into your windows (thus, reducing cooling costs).
Use insulated concrete forms when installing a foundation because they have been proven to be more energy efficient.
Use passive solar heat in order to allow the winter sun to warm your home through southern windows.

The initial costs for energy efficiency can be high, but they pay off in the long run. Speak to your contractor about more ways you can become more energy efficient!

Types of Insulation

Jenn Greenleaf — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 17:14:00 +0000

Insulating is one home improvement project you do not want to put off. Proper insulation will aid in both the heating and the cooling of your home. With rising energy costs, the last thing you want to do is have the wrong or improper insulation in your home.

There a number of home insulation types to choose from. If you are unsure which is right, or how much you need for your home it is important to speak to a insulation contractor or a specialist at your local home improvement store.

Here are some links to get you started on your research:

For those DIY’ers who do not know their R-Value from their elbow, it is very important to read up on the types of insulations, why they are important, and which is right for your home. Walking into this situation without the proper information will only lead to more problems, higher home improvement costs, and frustrations for all who are involved. Do your homework!

Energy Conservation

Jenn Greenleaf — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 16:32:00 +0000

Conserving energy is on everyone’s minds as we approach the heating season, particularly for those who are not using wood or pellet burning stoves. How can we prevent the loss of energy as the costs continue to rise?

There are some excellent resources available in print, as well as online. Performing a simple search using your favorite search engine will lead to a wealth of general, as well as state specific help guides.

Here are some of the tips these guides are offering consumers:

From EfficiencyMaine.com: By turning down the thermostat by 1 degree F, you could save 25-30 gallons of heating oil per year. That’s up to 3% of an average homes yearly consumption of heating oil or between $79-$95 per year at the current average rate of heating oil ($3.17/gallon). Turn down your thermostat when the house is unoccupied, down to 55 degrees. It takes about 1 hour to heat average house to desired temperature and it is a common myth that turning the thermostat down makes you burn more heating oil in warming up the house again. During the day when you are at home, setting your thermostat to 68 degrees is a comfortable maximum temperature and at night around 60 degrees.
From Montana.edu: Lower the temperature of your water heater, and wrap it in an insulating blanket. While most heaters are set at 140 degrees F, 120 will do the trick, and you’ll cut your water-heating costs by up to 10 percent. A water heater jacket (available at hardware stores for $10 to $20) can save another four to nine percent. Just be sure not to block exhaust vents, air intakes and thermostat access panels. And, newer water heaters may not need an insulation wrap; check the manufacturer’s instructions.
From dom.com: Seal duct work. This is the number one way to conserve energy. Make sure that all ductwork is sealed at joints and intersections with duct sealer or silicone caulk. Otherwise, supply ductwork can leak heated air into the attic or crawl space, and outside air can be drawn into the return ductwork, increasing costs and reducing comfort dramatically. Ducts can be sealed using foil-backed tape or silicon caulking.

What type of energy conservation advice does your state provide its residents? Are there pamphlets or booklets available upon request? Can you print material found on websites? Taking just a few minutes to answer these questions will save you a lot of money in the coming months. Take the time to do your research, and then perform the necessary home improvements to create an energy efficient and cost effective living space.