| Ways to Save for Heating | Annual Savings | Cost | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $57-95 | $60-100 | ||
| $40-67 | $0 |
| Ways to Save for Hot Water & Laundry | Annual Savings | Cost | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $2-4 | $6-10 | ||
| $25-42 | $0 | ||
| $3-4 | $0 | ||
| $10-17 | $45-75 | ||
| $3-5 | $11-19 | ||
| $4-7 | $0 | ||
| $2-4 | $0 | ||
| $4-6 | $0 |
| Ways to Save for Food Storage | Annual Savings | Cost | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $19-32 | $0 | ||
| $7-11 | $0 | ||
| $2-4 | $0 | ||
| $2-3 | $0 |
This report contains the following information:
Monthly Home Energy ProfileEnergy costs vary month to month because of variations in the weather as well as how you use the appliances in your home. The following chart shows how costs vary on a monthly basis for homes similar to yours.
This section of the report contains practical energy savings opportunities for all of the energy using systems in your home. For each of the ways to save, the report includes a description of the savings opportunity, a cost estimate, and an estimate of the energy and cost savings. There is also an estimate of the potential reduction in carbon dioxide emissions as well as water savings where appropriate.
Back to top
Central air conditioners have shown significant efficiency improvements over the past several years. This means that replacing an older system will save money. However, due to the high cost of installing a new system, replacement is not always the most cost-effective option. With the other improvements suggested, you should be able to reduce your cooling costs significantly. And, with proper maintenance, even an older system can provide several years of useful service. However, if your air conditioner is showing signs of deterioration or your cooling bill is high, you might find replacement an appealing option.
Central air conditioners are rated according to their seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER). A higher SEER means greater efficiency, and a 10% increase in SEER translates into roughly 10% savings. The national efficiency standard for new central air conditioners requires a minimum SEER of 10, and a rating of 13 represents a very efficient unit. In older units, SEERs as low as 6 are common.
Central air conditioners are sized in tons (1 ton = 12,000 Btu’s per hour). It is important that your system be properly sized for your house. An air conditioner that is too large will perform far below its rated efficiency, and will actually be less comfortable. A qualified air conditioning technician should do detailed energy load calculations in order to specify the proper equipment.
When buying a new central air conditioner, look for the ENERGY STAR label. The ENERGY STAR label ensures that your air conditioner is among the most efficient in its class. This not only saves energy but helps the environment as well.
| Implementation Cost: | $1,469-2,448 | Annual CO2 Savings: | 2,734 lbs |
| Annual Cost Savings: | $161-268 | Annual Water Savings: | 0 gallons |
Efficient faucet heads, sometimes called faucet aerators , work just like efficient showerheads to reduce the water flow in the bathroom and kitchen sink. While the water temperature will feel the same, it will take longer to fill the sink or to fill pots for washing. Faucet aerators can be found in any building supply store and are relatively easy to install.
The cost and savings shown are based on replacing all of the faucet heads in your home.
| Implementation Cost: | $6-10 | Annual CO2 Savings: | 34 lbs |
| Annual Cost Savings: | $2-4 | Annual Water Savings: | 226 gallons |
Naturally, taking shorter showers really saves money. Most people are reluctant to get out of the shower, particularly on a cold and dreary winter morning when faced with a long day of work. However, we think you should be aware of what those extra minutes in the shower are costing you.
The savings shown reflect reducing your showers to 7 minutes.
| Implementation Cost: | $0 | Annual CO2 Savings: | 313 lbs |
| Annual Cost Savings: | $25-42 | Annual Water Savings: | 3,465 gallons |
Regularly scheduled maintenance of your hot water heater will not only save energy but will also extend the life of the system. You should have a service professional inspect your water heater every two years or as often as recommended by the manufacturer.
Perhaps the best thing that you can do for your water heater is to drain the tank once a year. Sediment forms in the bottom of the tank, reducing the heat transfer to the water. By draining water from the bottom of the tank, the sediment is eliminated. There should be a drain valve near the bottom of the tank. Open this valve and let about five gallons of water (or enough so that the water runs clear) run into a bucket. Close the valve and you are all set.
| Implementation Cost: | $0 | Annual CO2 Savings: | 46 lbs |
| Annual Cost Savings: | $3-4 | Annual Water Savings: | 0 gallons |
Heat traps are a type of one-way valve that can be installed on both the hot and cold water lines on your water heater. The purpose of heat traps is to reduce the heat loss from your water heater by "trapping" heat before it escapes. New, efficient water heaters often have this feature, but older models generally do not. As you can see from the savings, you can generally recover the cost of heat traps over several years.
| Implementation Cost: | $45-75 | Annual CO2 Savings: | 169 lbs |
| Annual Cost Savings: | $10-17 | Annual Water Savings: | 0 gallons |
If the pipes that supply hot water throughout your house are hot to the touch, then heat is being lost. By insulating hot water pipes you can reduce this loss. Since most of the water pipes in your house are behind walls and under floors, you won't be able to get to all of them. Start at the water heater and insulate all of the accessible pipe. Also, feel the pipe where cold water enters the water heater. If it feels warm, then you should also insulate that pipe as well.
| Implementation Cost: | $11-19 | Annual CO2 Savings: | 52 lbs |
| Annual Cost Savings: | $3-5 | Annual Water Savings: | 0 gallons |
Your dishwasher consumes the same amount of energy regardless of how many dishes are being washed. Therefore, running full loads reduces energy consumption by reducing the total number of loads washed.
The savings shown are based on reducing your number of loads by about 10%.
CAUTION: Be careful not to overload your dishwasher; dishes probably will not clean completely. Check the owner's manual for proper loading guidelines.
| Implementation Cost: | $0 | Annual CO2 Savings: | 62 lbs |
| Annual Cost Savings: | $4-7 | Annual Water Savings: | 397 gallons |
You will save energy by turning off the drying heater and letting your dishes air dry. It will take longer, but the dishes will dry just as well. Your dishwasher might have a switch to turn off the drying heater. If not, you can manually turn it off by stopping the dishwasher after the rinse cycle is finished.
To reduce drying time, open the dishwasher and drain off any water that is pooled on top of dishes.
| Implementation Cost: | $0 | Annual CO2 Savings: | 38 lbs |
| Annual Cost Savings: | $2-4 | Annual Water Savings: | 0 gallons |
Not only does over drying waste energy, it can also damage your clothes. Occasionally check the dryer as the load nears completion and remove clothes as soon as they are dry. By conscientiously checking the dryer, you may find that you can reduce energy use by up to 15%.
When purchasing a new dryer, get one with an automatic shut-off to prevent it from running longer than necessary.
| Implementation Cost: | $0 | Annual CO2 Savings: | 63 lbs |
| Annual Cost Savings: | $4-6 | Annual Water Savings: | 0 gallons |
Compact fluorescent bulbs typically save 65 - 70% over incandescent bulbs while providing the same light output. Compact fluorescents cost more than incandescent bulbs, but they last 10 times longer, so the increased cost is offset by the savings in replacement bulbs as well as the energy savings.
Compact fluorescent bulbs are now covered as part of the ENERGY STAR program. The ENERGY STAR label is your assurance that the product is among the most energy efficient in its class.
| Implementation Cost: | $36-44 | Annual CO2 Savings: | 227 lbs |
| Annual Cost Savings: | $16-20 | Annual Water Savings: | 0 gallons |
You are already very energy conscious in that you keep your thermostat below the 68 degrees F that is recommended by most energy guides. However, we thought you still might be interested in seeing the savings possible from lowering your thermostat even more. The savings shown represent pushing your thermostat settings down by just 1 degree F.
Purchasing a programmable thermostat, at a cost of between $60-$100, can help you consistently lower your thermostat settings. Also called clock thermostats or set-back thermostats, these devices automatically change the temperature for you. For example, you can program a lower temperature overnight and then have it warm up 30 minutes or so before you get up so you awake to a warm house. Most models allow multiple changes per day and enable you to program different settings for Saturdays and Sundays as well.
| Implementation Cost: | $60-100 | Annual CO2 Savings: | 978 lbs |
| Annual Cost Savings: | $57-95 | Annual Water Savings: | 0 gallons |
You can control the temperature of different areas of your house; by blocking off a vent you lower the temperature of that area and reduce energy use. This is particularly effective if you have rooms that are used minimally, such as a spare bedroom that need not be kept as warm as the rest of the house.
Some vents have a switch that closes the louvers. This is great if you want to open and close a vent every time you enter a room. There are also magnetic vent covers that you can find in some home improvement stores. One other option is to use duct tape. This works well if you want to close a vent for extended periods, but you might find it inconvenient if you use the room occasionally throughout the season.
Savings
Below you can see the impact of closing off one or more rooms in your home.
CAUTION: Never close off more than 25% of your vents at any given time; you could damage the heating system. Check the owner's manual for more specific information.
| Implementation Cost: | $0 | Annual CO2 Savings: | 692 lbs |
| Annual Cost Savings: | $40-67 | Annual Water Savings: | 0 gallons |
Your second refrigerator consumes a significant amount of energy. Perhaps you can get all your food into one refrigerator and turn the other off permanently. Alternatively, if you only need the second unit on certain occasions, you can pull the plug and then plug it back in only when you need it; this won't hurt the refrigerator and can result in significant savings.
If you decide you do not need the refrigerator at all, there are likely several charities that will come and take the refrigerator from you at no cost.
The savings shown reflect turning the refrigerator off for six months. By eliminating this refrigerator and turning it off all year your savings would double.
| Implementation Cost: | $0 | Annual CO2 Savings: | 326 lbs |
| Annual Cost Savings: | $19-32 | Annual Water Savings: | 0 gallons |
Your refrigerator has a heater that prevents moisture from forming on the outside surface. Moisture forms only when the air inside your house is humid, but the heater operates all the time unless you turn it off. Humidity is likely to be a problem only in the summer, and this is typically the period when you need the heater running. However, your central air conditioning system actually helps to dry the air, so you shouldn't have any problems with moisture no matter what the season.
Not all refrigerators have a switch to operate the moisture control heater, so you might not be able to enact this measure. If you have one, it will be located in the fresh food compartment and labeled "moisture control switch" or "energy saving switch." Now for the tricky part. The label on your particular switch will determine how it controls the heater. That is, if the switch is labeled "moisture control," it should be turned to the "off" position, but if it's labeled "energy saver," the switch must be turned to "on."
If, after turning the heater off, you do notice moisture forming on the outside of the refrigerator, turn the heater back on until the weather becomes less humid.
| Implementation Cost: | $0 | Annual CO2 Savings: | 116 lbs |
| Annual Cost Savings: | $7-11 | Annual Water Savings: | 0 gallons |
Refrigerators have a temperature control, which is usually located in the fresh food compartment. Most models have separate controls for the fresh food and frozen sections. The range on the knobs is typically 1 - 5 or A E; the higher setting generally makes it colder. By raising the temperature of your refrigerator you will save energy, but be careful because most foods stay fresh for shorter periods as the temperature rises. On the other hand, most foods also taste better when stored at warmer temperatures. The recommended range is 38-40 degrees F for the refrigerator and 0-5 degrees F for the freezer; typically these are near the middle of the temperature dials.
CAUTION: Foods keep fresh for shorter periods of time at higher temperatures. Most refrigerators are designed so that the entire range of temperature settings will preserve foods for an adequate period of time. However, be very careful to check foods for freshness before eating. If foods are not kept fresh as long as you would like, lower the storage temperature.
| Implementation Cost: | $0 | Annual CO2 Savings: | 39 lbs |
| Annual Cost Savings: | $2-4 | Annual Water Savings: | 0 gallons |
Sealing windows and doors is a relatively inexpensive and easy task that can be done by the do-it-yourselfer. Both windows and doors can require caulk and weather stripping for adequate protection against the elements. If you feel a draft, that's a sign that additional weatherization is needed. You should also inspect the caulk and weather stripping around doors and windows and replace anything that is cracked or damaged.
Caulking: Caulking requires very few tools: a caulking gun, the tube of caulk, a rag, a nail, and a razor or knife are typically all that you will need. You will want to make sure that the caulk is suitable for exterior applications. It will say so right on the tube.
Weather stripping: There are several different types of weather stripping, each varying in durability and ease of installation. If you are concerned about aesthetics, note that some types of weather stripping are visible when installed, while others are not. Since there are many types of weather stripping, it is probably best just to ask at your local hardware or home building supply store.
You also should look at the outlets in your home. On a windy day, place your hand close to the outlet. You might be surprised to feel a draft. If you do, plugs designed for capping unused outlets are available at most hardware stores. Also, foam gaskets are available for insulating behind the outlet cover.
| Implementation Cost: | $100-300 | Annual CO2 Savings: | 3,593 lbs |
| Annual Cost Savings: | $211-351 | Annual Water Savings: | 0 gallons |
Your heating system uses a network of air ducts to distribute heat throughout your house. Air ducts that pass through unconditioned space will lose energy to the surroundings if they are not insulated. Insulating these ducts, if accessible, can minimize these losses and reduce your heating and cooling costs.
CAUTION: Once air ducts are insulated, it is difficult to check for and seal leaks. Make sure that all leaks are thoroughly sealed before insulating. Mastic is a durable alternative to duct tape and adheres well to dusty surfaces.
| Implementation Cost: | $150-250 | Annual CO2 Savings: | 360 lbs |
| Annual Cost Savings: | $21-35 | Annual Water Savings: | 0 gallons |
Insulation is your home's first defense against heat loss. Below we will describe the fundamentals of three areas of insulation; attic, wall, and foundation. The savings shown represent what is required to bring your home up to the recommended level for your climate.
Attic Insulation: Adding attic insulation is generally the easiest and cheapest way to improve the insulation of your home. Fiberglass batts can be rolled out over existing insulation. To determine how much the batts will improve your insulation, check the package for the R-value of the fiberglass. R-value is a measure of insulating ability, and manufacturers are required to list the R-value on the packaging. The higher the R-value, the greater the insulating ability. While thicker batts generally provide more insulation, you want to look at R-value rather than thickness when comparing prices. A 3-1/2" thick batt can have an R-value of 11, 13, or even 15, depending on the material. Also note that attic venting is more important in an insulated attic to prevent moisture build-up.
The quality of installation is at least as important as the R value. It is important that the insulation is in contact with the wall board that comprises the ceiling. If there is a gap between the ceiling wall board and the insulation, much of the insulation value is lost. There should be no spaces between the insulation batts and the insulation should extend all the way to the eaves.
Wall Insulation: Wall insulation is another way to make your home more energy efficient. Two options for adding wall insulation are: blowing insulation into the wall cavity; or adding an exterior sheathing. Each of these is somewhat expensive, but blown-in insulation is generally preferable because of its lower cost and higher insulating value. Blown-in insulation requires a contractor to drill holes into the walls of the house, blow insulation into the walls, and then patch and paint. Adding an exterior sheathing means adding a layer of insulation to the wall surface and then building a new wall on top of the insulation. Although this option is more costly, it can often be incorporated into planned renovations.
Basement Insulation (for Cold Climates): Although it is often overlooked, an unheated basement can be the largest source of heat loss in an otherwise well-insulated home. Heat from your living space seeps down through the floor and into your cold basement. To reduce this heat loss, you can install batts of insulation in between the floor joists in your basement. The batts can be supported with wire or flexible metal rods pressure fitted between the joists.
CAUTION: When working with fiberglass, it is important to wear a respirator to avoid breathing any of the fibers.
| Implementation Cost: | $1,811-3,018 | Annual CO2 Savings: | 4,509 lbs |
| Annual Cost Savings: | $264-440 | Annual Water Savings: | 0 gallons |
As heating systems age, leaks can develop in the ducts. Many duct systems are leaky even when newly installed. These leaks can contribute tremendously to your energy bill. The first step in reducing air duct losses is to examine ductwork in areas where it is easily accessible, typically in the basement, attic, or crawlspace. Look for deteriorated duct tape and replace it as necessary (Silicone caulk or mastic are more durable alternatives to duct tape. High temperature vinyl tape is another option). Feel for air leaking at joints and seal these areas as well. Since there are large portions of ductwork that you cannot get to, you should consider having an HVAC professional inspect the system. You can have this done in conjunction with servicing of the system. If leaks are found they can often be closed with an aerosol-based sealant. (The aerosol is sprayed into the ducts with air so it emits no ozone-depleting fluorocarbons.)
Since you also have central air conditioning, sealing the ducts will also save on your cooling costs. The savings shown include the savings in air conditioning that you would realize by sealing your ducts.
| Implementation Cost: | $15-25 | Annual CO2 Savings: | 1,181 lbs |
| Annual Cost Savings: | $109-181 | Annual Water Savings: | 0 gallons |
Why do we insist on putting our least healthy foods in the most reachable and visible spots?
Lifehacker (or was it Lifehack?) had a great tip about a month ago, questioning why people stick their fruits and veggies in the storage bins in the fridge, hidden from plain sight. Yet we put our processed and packaged foods out in the open, most readily to be grabbed and consumed.
Same goes for snacks and munchies. Why put them in valuable kitchen storage space, when you could put them in the basement? This way you have to be more conscious in your desire to munch and snack.
And if you are going to munch, always plan out your portion control. Don't plop down on the sofa with an entire bag of chips (they are at least baked and not fried, right?). Instead, get out a bowl and put a sensible portion out for yourself, making sure to examine the back of the bag for the calories per serving (and then do the mental gymanstics to realize your concept of "portion" is triple theirs).
If you don't have enough resolve to put your snacks in a fitness friendly location, or to at least dole out the snackies reasonably, then you aren't ready to manage your weight properly.
Don't have any sitting around in the office.
If you don't have a bag of chips or box of pretzels in your desk, then it is harder for your to mindlessly snack or eat if you are in a bad mood. This way, you have to be conscious in your meal planning for the day.
Double extra bonus points if you put your food for the day together the night before after you've eaten dinner, or in the morning after you've eaten breakfast. Why? You aren't as hungry, so you'll pack sensibly sized portions. And if you did it after breakfast, it means you actually ate it!
I had to sign and return a legal document, and Natasha at BOA
overheard my situation and offered their fax.
Then she proceeded to hunt down a BOA mistake and made sure 2 bogus
fees were waved.
So Natasha, expect a call from me for a transaction that will make
your boss love you.
http://washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080207/SPORTS01/794702187/1005/SPORTS
WOW!
The soap opera continues. I really hope I get a call for an interview...
Normally I would jump at any sports pundit for overstating the importance of a game. And saying tonight's MD game will spell the rest of the season is really putting yourself out there. So why say it?
1) MD has been riding a pretty strong streak recently
2) They are getting TONS of press for their recent play
3) The storyline of them as a phoenix rising from the ashes of the American and Ohio (who is very good) loses grows and grows
4) They are getting too much credit for almost winning a game (albeit the now #2 team in the country)
5) If they are going to start believing the hype and lose focus, it would happen tonight
6) If they lose, where does the storyline go?
As to #6, we shall have to wait and see. MD has to show tonight that they can retain their focus, that the press they are receiving won't make them flinch.
Gary loves to play the underdog, but they are getting a lot of attaboys. They have the chance to redeem and early season lose to BC, splitting the match up (and increasing their ACC win totals).
Expect BC to be very tough down low, and MD's 3-point shooting to be the ultimate difference (unless they mess the bed, turn it over all the time, and make lots of dumb mistakes and give up).
This is one of the more lame things I have ever seen. I think putting "MBA" is lame as well, but at least you got an honest to goodness degree.
But PMP? It's a test. You took a single test.
This is lame. Beware of anyone who does this, they are either compensating for their inadequacies, or they really do think they are amazing. Either way, they are not good news.
If the Demon Deacons can steal a road win at NC State on Sunday, they will come home for games against surging Georgia Tech (Feb. 6) and disappointing Virginia (Feb. 9) before going to Florida State (Feb. 14) and coming home for Duke (Feb. 17).
It's not a reach to think Wake Forest (13-6) could be a top-five ACC player by the time it faces the Blue Devils.
And so it happens - Microsoft bid to buy Yahoo for 44.6 billion dollars this morning at $31 dollars a share (considerably above yesterday’s closing price for Y! stock). But this is not a post about economics but innovation, company mindset and culture. Microsoft and Yahoo are two very different companies - and having visited both their headquarters in the past in Redmond and California, it is hard for me to imagine how things will evolve if the deal goes through.
Microsoft is a huge company, with a culture that’s very different from Y!s. It offers products that fit into a very traditional mindset, whereas Yahoo was trying to change from that into a culture based on innovation, more in touch with its hacker roots. The Yahoo Brickhouse effort (which I’m a huge fan of) in particular, was a great example of that shift.
How companies react to mergers, acquisitions and new additions to teams has been one of my interests for a while. In theory, diversity fuels innovation because each company will have it’s own set of practices and answers to problems. This fuels discussion and hopefully the emmergence of a new set of signature practices on the new - and definitely more purple - Microsoft. This is quite likely a good thing for them.
What I wonder about though, is how some of the people now at Yahoo - who don’t particularly enjoy the Microsoft mindset - will react to this piece of news. Or how the stockholders will react. I guess we’ll see, but it’ll be an interesting next few days.
If you want to read up on the news of the acquisition bid, check the press release, the coverage at Techcrunch, or Techmeme, that will likely be on fire today.
