Energy Efficiency and Going Green

One of the first homes I owned used more than 2400 gallons of heating oil in the first year and our electric was ridicules. This was back when oil was about 60 cents a gallon. After careful examination and analysis of the energy efficiency, I found many problems. There was no insulation in the block walls and very little insulation in the attic. The air conditioning system was outdated. There was no ventilation in attic. The firebox in the boiler had disintegrated and the draft damper on the exhaust pipe was not working. Domestic hot water was supplied by the boiler and the exterior doors had no thermo seals. I had planned to make major renovation to the home when I purchased it. Therefore, I incorporated the upgrading of the energy efficiency into the plan. When the work was completed, I had reduced the heating oil consumption rate by more than 67% to fewer than 800 gallons per year. I had added an in ground pool and finished the basement with lots of specialty lights, added a whirlpool bath and heat lamp and saved 12% on our electric bill.

With the ever-increasing cost of energy and the movement to go green (fewer emissions) energy efficiency is more important than ever. Many energy saving plans are cost effective but many are not. Federal and local governments have collaborated with utilities to create incentives for homeowners to covert to more efficient systems in the home.

Home energy efficiency is also about financial balance. Replacing perfectly good incandescent light bulbs with pricy high efficiency bulbs is not financially responsible. Replacing burnt out incandescent bulbs with the high efficiency bulbs is smarter. A prudent person would not replace a perfectly good hot water heater for a high efficiency unit just for sake of efficiency. In addition, when a major appliance, boiler, hot water heater, air conditioning unit breaks down and replacement is the only choice most homeowners find it impossible to shop for a smart replacement. The repairman states, “The unit is worn out and needs replacement. I’ll be back with a new unit.” Of course, the family cannot function without the appliance and gives the repairman the ok. Energy efficiency is an ongoing project that is implemented over time, under a plan and coordinated within the home’s maintenance plan, which in itself is part of the family’s financial strategy.

Going Green and energy efficiency are closely related. When an old natural gas fired hot water heater is replaced with a new high efficiency unit not only is the home owner going to save on his utility costs but the new hot water heater will put out a lot less pollutants.

Homeowners can go green and be energy efficient but some basic planning should be in place to keep the project focused and financially responsible. Installation of solar collectors for both electric and heating water can have expensive upfront costs. These systems take time to install and more time for governmental rebate approval. Rate of return (time to realize a profit on investment) may take many years. Consider all the factors to estimate “rate of return”. This includes the cost of the initial upgrade, current and future energy costs, maintenance cost and life expectancy of the upgrade (solar collectors) incentive or rebate programs and more. Many less costly measures may be available to you. If you would like to decrease your utility costs by increasing energy efficiency and “Go Green” then an energy evaluation is recommended.

A home energy efficiency evaluation need not be technically exhaustive or expensive. The components of the home’s systems are tested, inspected, rated and evaluated for operational efficiency against replacement costs and energy savings. Insulation, weather stripping, air leaks, doors, windows and exterior wall and ceiling protrusions are evaluated. In addition, the families habits and routines are considered. On average, a three to five hour evaluation with full written report returns a 15-20% annual savings in home energy efficiency. Additional savings are achieved by upgrading inefficient systems or components during a planed maintenance cycle.