High Energy Prices Getting You Down?
We all are concerned about the cost of energy. This guide is organized from the best return for your project dollars to the worst return. We will continually update this page as more information becomes available. If you feel uncomfortable with any of these suggestions, please give us a call. We would like to help you! We also have resources available to us to perform an energy audit on your home. Contact us at any time.
Turn Down your Water Heater
Unless your dishwasher requires a higher temperature setting, turning your water heater down to 120 degrees will save about 8% of your water heating costs. Also, it would be beneficial to insulate at least the 1st five feet of pipe leaving the water heater. You can find these products at any hardware or big box home improvement store.
Replace Your Furnace Filter
Everyone should replace their furnace filter at the beginning of every heating season. Make sure to write the date on the filter when it's changed. A clogged furnace filter can reduce the heating system efficiency by restricting the air flow through the furnace. Check the filters monthly and replace them when they get dirty. You can save up to 5% of your heating system costs. You should also have an annual tune-up of your heating system.
Bleed your Radiators
If your home uses hot water for heat, it is important to bleed your radiators. Air trapped in your radiators reduce the efficiency and will actually be cold to the touch when your heat is on! To bleed your radiators, turn on the system and allow it to run. Start at the top level of your home and go to each radiator. On the top of the radiator on one side or the other there is a small valve. Sometimes they can be opened with a flat screwdriver. If not, you will need a radiator key to access the square needle valve. Bring along an old plastic cup that you can throw away when you are done. On the side of the valve, there is a small opening. Place the cup under the opening and slowly open the valve. You will hear air rush out and after a period of time, water will start pouring out of the valve. When that happens, close the valve and move to the next radiator. Don't over tighten the valve! If you do this and nothing happens, you may need to contact a heating professional because there may be a problem with your water supply line to the boiler.
Replace Your Humidifier Water Panel
Adding humidity to the air during the winter months can help make your home more comfortable. Maintaining your humidifier is extremely important. Unmaintained humidifiers can contribute to serious problems with your furnace including rusted heat exchangers, rusted furnaces, and corroded air conditioning evaporator coils. Open up the damper to allow the air to flow across the humidifier and make sure the overflow tube to open to allow the excess water to flow to the drain. Lastly, make sure to adjust the humidistat to correspond to the outdoor air temperature. Most clients forget to do this and then wonder why their windows ice-up during very cold periods because there is too much humidity in the air.
Upgrade Your Light bulbs
The easiest project you can tackle is to replace the light bulbs in your home with compact fluorescent light bulbs. Think about what lights are on the most and replace those first. The technology has come a long way to improve the quality of the light from these new bulbs. One thing you may notice, it takes a little while for the bulbs to come up to full brightness. Also, you may not want to replace the bulbs in bathrooms where you get ready for work in the morning. The light tends to be a little more blue in color which may not reflect the natural light conditions you will experience during your workday.
Here's a simple formula you can use to calculate your lighting costs:1-60 watt light bulb turned on 4 hours per day, 7 days a week, for 52 weeks uses 87,360 watt hours of energy. Divide 87,360 watts hours by 1000 to get 87.36 kilowatt-hours (kWh). Multiply this by our rate of $0.111 / kWh = $9.70 to run this bulb for 1 year. A compact fluorescent equivalent only costs $2.42 saving $7.28 per year for only one light!
Caulk Windows and Doors
Reducing air infiltration into your home can save significant dollars. All outside air that enters your home will cause your heating system to work harder to heat that air. Sealing these leaks will reduce your energy costs and reduce those uncomfortable drafts keeping you and your family warm and cozy. A tube of good 25 year silicone caulk costs about $5.00. There also is a removable caulk on the market that can be used to seal those older single pane double hung windows. Apply it in the fall and it easily comes off in the spring like a big rubber band. Just make sure to keep at least one window in every sleeping room operable for emergency purposes!
Open Blinds on Southern Exposed Windows
Keeping blinds and drapes open on the south side of your home on sunny days helps! There is free energy you can collect during those sunny days that will help heat your home during the winter months.
Install a Programmable Set-back Thermostat
For under $50 you can install a programmable setback thermostat. Studies have shownfor every degree between 60 and 70 degrees you can save about 5% of your heating costs. If your health permits, setting your home at 68 degrees while you're home and then dropping the temperature to 55 to 60 degrees at night can save you even more. The US Department of Energy estimates at least a 10% costs savings per heating season can be realized when this is done. For an average home, it may cost $200 per month during the heating season. Using this formula, you would save $20 per month and that thermostat would be paid for in less than 3 months!
Insulate Your Home
The State of Wisconsin recommends a minimum of R-38 level of insulation in attic spaces. This equates to 12 inches of Fiberglass batts or 8 to 10 inches of blown in cellulose. For older homes with Knob and Tube wiring it is VERY IMPORTANT not to bury this type of wiring under any insulation. Either plan to replace this type of wiring with Romex or make sure to place a tent around the wiring to prevent direct contact with any insulation. Also, make sure any horizontal access doors have a minimum of R-19 of insulation attached to the back and any vertical access doors have a minimum of R-11 insulation attached to the back. If these access doors have gaps around them, add some weatherstripping to reduce any air infiltration into these unheated spaces.
Look in your basement rafters and make sure there is at least R-19 (equivalent to six inches of fiberglass) placed in the box sills.
Replace Your Heating System
If your heating system is 12 to 15 years old, you may want to consider upgrading your heating system to an ENERGY STAR® model. These units exceed the average efficiency of 78% with ones that exceed 90%.
