Building Science Makes Sense, and Saves You Money!

Rob Jordan, M.A.Executive Director

Alaska Craftsman Home Program

DISCLAIMER

The information and materials provided by the Alaska Craftsman Home Program are not comprehensive and do not necessarily constitute an endorsement or approval, but are intended to provide a starting point for research and information. ACHP does not endorse or sell any products.

1926 SearsHome Cost: $725

1926 Ford:$300

If Automotive Designed Progressed at the Same Rate as Home Building Technology…

Changes in Vehicle Efficiency

Engine Fuel Efficiency

Top Speed Horse Power

1925 Model T

10-12 mpg 30 mph 22.5

1950 Ford Flathead

22 mpg 80 mph 100

2000 Ford Triton V-10

31 mpg 150 mph 305

1950 Ford F-100

Changes in Vehicle Efficiency

Engine Fuel Efficiency

Top Speed Horse Power

1925 Model T 10-12 mpg 30 mph 22.5

1950 Ford Flathead

22 mpg 80 mph 100

2000 Ford Triton V-8

31 mpg 150 mph 305

2000 Ford Mustang

Changes in Vehicle EfficiencyEngine Fuel

EfficiencyTop Speed Horse

Power

1925 Model T 10-12 mpg 30 mph 22.5

1950 Ford Flathead

22 mpg 80 mph 100

2000 Ford Triton V-10

31 mpg 150 mph 305

What Happened???

In a word…PROSPERITY!!!

20th Century US Census DataDate % Rural

Population% Urban

Population% One Vehicle

Household

1900 65 35 N/A

1950 35 65 30

2000 20 80 85

The Baby Boomers Moved to the suburbs and built lots of houses

Year Homeownership Rate

Number of Households

1900 46.5 3,500,000

1950 55 8,300,000

2000 67.4 18,200,000

The consequences of inefficiency

• We consume massive amounts of energy in this country.

• More than 20 percent of produced energy flows through our homes

• An additional 20 percent flows through the buildings we work in

• This has a significant financial impact

Top Consumers of Electricity

United States

China

Russia

Japan

Germany

0 5,000,000,000,000

Energy consumption Kwh

Energy consumption Kwh

Typical Household Energy Usage

49%

13%10%

7%

6%2% 5% 8%

Appliances

Heating & Cooling Water Heater Lighting ElectronicsWasher & Dryer Dishwasher Refrigerator Other

Why be more efficient?

• Efficient homes are cheaper to operate

• Efficient homes have higher resale value

• Efficient homes are more comfortable and durable

• Making a home efficient is easier than it has ever been.

There is a lot of low hanging fruit!

Adjust Energy Consumption Habits

Behavior Changes

• Most families could shave 25 percent off their energy cost by adjusting day-to-day routines• Furnaces often log hours when they are not

needed• Appliances are often left running when not

needed• Hot water consumption for many families

can be reduced by 50 percent

What if? Convert to CFL’s

• Replace 20 bulbs each in 25% of US homes

• 46 Billion kWh per year

• $5.1 Billion in electric bills

Cost Comparison of light bubs with equivalent light output Incandescent CFL LEDLife span of bulbs 1,000 10,000 50,000Cost per light bulb $0.75 $2.98 $59.99 KWh of electricity consumer per bulb 3000 750 350Cost of electricity over 50,000 hours (5.5 years) $690.00 $172.50 $80.50Number of bulbs consumed in 50,000 hours 50 5 1Total cost of bulbs for 50,000 hours $37.50 $14.90 $59.99

Total cost ofor 50,000 hours of light from one fixture $727.50 $187.40 $140.49Electricity expenditures for home with 30 light bulbs Annual cost per bulb $30.22 $7.56 $3.53Annual cost per household (30 bulbs) $906.66 $226.67 $105.78Cost savings per year $0.00 $680.00 $800.88Costs of light bulbs fo typical home Initial cost of 30 bulbs $22.50 $89.40 $1,799.70Number of bulbs consumed in 50,000 hours 50 5 1Amount spent on bulbs over 50,000 hours $1,125.00 $447.00 $1,799.70Payback period for bulbs Cost of electricity per year for 30 bulbs $906.66 $226.67 $105.78Annual household savings on electricity $0.00 $680.00 $800.88Payback Time 0 7 months 2.25 years

INCANDESCENT CFL LED

Life span of bulbs 1,000 10,000 50,000

Cost per light bulb $0.75 $2.98 $59.99

KWh of electricity consumer per bulb 3,000 750 350

Cost of electricity over 50,000 hours (5.5 years) $690.00 $172.50 $80.50

Number of bulbs consumed in 50,000 hours 50 5 1

Total cost of bulbs for 50,000 hours $37.50 $14.90 $59.99

Total cost for 50,000 hours of light from one fixture $727.50 $187.40 $140.49

Life Cycle Costs for 3 Types of Light Bulbs

Electricity expenditures for home with 30 light bulbs Incandescent CFL LED

Annual cost per bulb $30.22 $7.56 $3.53

Annual cost per household (30 bulbs) $906.66 $226.67 $105.78

Cost savings per year $0.00 $680.00 $800.88

Costs of light bulbs for typical home

Initial cost of 30 bulbs $22.50 $89.40 $1,799.70

Number of bulbs consumed in 50,000 hours 50 5 1

Amount spent on bulbs over 50,000 hours $1,125.00 $447.00 $1,799.70

Payback period for bulbs Incandescent CFL LED

Cost of electricity per year for 30 bulbs $906.66 $226.67 $105.78

Annual household savings on electricity $0.00 $680.00 $800.88

Payback Time 0 7 months 2.25 years

Infrared Analysis

Seal Air Leakage• Air leakage wastes energy by allowing expensive heated or cold air to leak

out of your home.• Also causes uncomfortable drafts, and can carry pollutants into your

home.• Most significant leaks are in hidden areas like attics and crawl spaces–

windows and doors aren’t usually the main problem.

• What you can do:• Hire an energy auditor who can do a blower door test to locate air leaks.• Seal the biggest leaks in attic and crawl space.

Upgrade Windows and Doors

• The doors and windows in most homes are a major gap in the buildings thermal boundary, allowing heat to escape in winter and enter in the summer.What you can do:

• Replace your windows and doors, but only as part of a major energy renovation which includes adding insulation to the exterior of the building.

• Don’t just install new windows and doors without adding wall insulation at the same time.

Improve Heating Equipment

• Your heating equipment may account for the majority of your utility expense.

• Old low-efficiency equipment may be part of the problem, but duct leakage, inadequate airflow, and malfunctioning controls are also to blame.What you can do:

• Shop for a good contractor and ask for a complete heating and cooling tune-up.

• Have your technician seal your home’s duct system if appropriate.

• If you plan to install a new furnace, ask for a smaller unit that has a higher efficiency rating.

Improve Water-Heating Efficiency

• Most homes have water heaters that include a storage tank.

• These storage tanks consume gas or oil while operating at less the 60% efficiency, meaning that 40% of the fuel you consume goes up the chimney or is lost at the storage tank.

• The year-round expense will become more important with rising energy costs.

Improve Water-Heating Efficiency

What you can do:• Lower the thermostat on your water heater.• Install a water-heater blanket and insulate

your hot water pipes.• Install a water-saving shower head.• Invest in a solar water-heating system.

Tank-less Hot Water System

Add Insulation

• Almost all modern homes have too little insulation in the attics, walls, and floors.

• No better energy-saving measure than installing more insulation.What you can do:

• Insulate your attic to at least R-40 (14-16 inches).• Insulate your walls until they are full.• Fill floor cavities with insulation or insulate

foundation walls with one to two inches of foam insulation.

Add R-19 Foam Bat Insulation

Insulate Basement/Crawl Spaces

Rigid Foam

Seal Your Duct System

• Most duct systems are not sealed during installation.• If the ducts run through unconditioned areas like crawl

spaces, attached garages, or attics, duct leakage can be a major energy problem.

• Besides the leakage of heated air, duct leakage may draw moisture and pollutants into your home.What you can do:

• Have your duct system professionally tested for air leaks.• Seal the leaks by starting at the furnace and working

your way outwards.

Seal those ducts

Energy Efficient Appliances

Improve Appliance Efficiency• Refrigerator and washing machines are typically the most

inefficient appliances in your home.• Computers and entertainment centers usually draw “phantom

loads” even when they are in the “off” position.What you can do:

• Replace your refrigerator if it was manufactured before 1993; replace with a model that is Energy Star rated.

• The next time you buy a washing machine, buy a front loading machine with an Energy Star rating.

• When replacing a dryer, buy one with a moisture sensor and an Energy Star rating.

• Install switched plug strips at computer stations and entertainment centers, turn them off at the switch when not in use.

Alaska Craftsman Home Program Homeowner Education

1. Building Science Basics2. Ice Dams3. Airtightness4. Lighting & Appliances5. Heating & Hot Water6. Doors & Windows7. Insulation8. Ventilation

• Classes are offered on a rotating basis

• Offered on nights and weekends for your convenience

• Free of Charge• Online registration

available

Contact Information

• Location: 3400 Spenard Road Suite 9 Anchorage, AK 99503

• Phone #: 907-258-2247• Website: www.achpalaska.com

• Class Schedules• Online Registration• Ask an Expert Blog

• Email: rob@achpalaska.com