Energy Efficiency Practices for the Low-

Income Population

Donald FournierManaging Director

SEDACUniversity of Illinois

Residential Energy• American homes use almost 25% of the energy

consumed in the United States. • About 80% of that energy is used in single-family

homes, 15% in multi-family homes (such as apartments and condos), and 5% in mobile homes.

• Residential energy use has steadily increased over the past 25 years, but has increased at a slower rate than the rate of population increase.

• Many efficiency gains are being offset by increases in the number of electronics and appliances in the average home.

• There are still many opportunities to reduce energy consumption in the home at low or no costs.

Residential Trends•Electricity represents the

biggest change in residential energy usage.

•Result of significant nationwide increase in home central air conditioning, use of home energy appliances, and computers

•Electricity remains the most expensive energy source

Residential Energy Consumption

• Heating will be the largest energy usage.

• Next will be appliances and lighting.

• Next is water heating, then cooling.

No Cost Ways to Save

• In winter turn down your thermostat to 68 degrees: Every 1% setback = 3% savings on

heating bill. Wear warm clothing to stay comfortable. Set the thermostat back to 55 degrees

when away or sleeping (save 5-20%).• In summer with central cooling, turn up

your thermostat to 78 degrees: Dress appropriately. Set up during the day if no one home. Turn off window units when not in the room.

Low Cost Ways to Save• Replace or clean furnace filters every

one to three months. Dirty filters restrict airflow and increase

energy use. Keeping your furnace clean, lubricated

and properly adjusted will reduce energy use, saving up to 5 percent of heating costs.

• In summer, keep central A/C condenser clear of leaves, bushes, etc.

• Use a ceiling fan and turn up the thermostat a few degrees.

Do not simply remove dirty filters. This will allow dirt to collect on the heat exchanger surfaces and reduce efficiency.

No Cost Ways to Save

• Reduce hot water temperature to 110-120º. Save 7-11 % of water heating costs. Insulate water supply line (first 5 feet).

• Use cold water when washing clothes. 13-16% of home energy cost is for water

heating (today’s detergents are designed for cold water).

• Clothes dryer: Keep dryer free of lint (clean filter every

load). Keep dryer vent free of obstructions. Do not vent into the house or attic.

No Cost Ways to Save• Perform a Do-it-Yourself Home Energy

Audit at http://hes.lbl.gov

No Cost Ways to Save• Take a 5 minute shower instead of

a bath.• In heating season let the sun in.

Open drapes and shades on the sunny side during the day. Close at night.

• Remove window air conditioning units for the winter. Remove to prevent heat from

escaping through and around the unit. If it cannot be removed, buy a cover to

prevent drafts (or wrap and tape with a large piece of plastic).

No Cost Ways to Save

• Close your fireplace flue. Keep closed except when not in use. Also shut fire place doors if installed.

• Use your ceiling fan. Run blades counter-clockwise in summer

to push to create a breeze (moving air feels cooler). Set up thermostat a few degrees.

Run clockwise in the winter to bring warm air down (only if there are high ceilings).

When purchasing new ceiling fans, consider an ENERGY STAR model

No Cost Ways to Save

• Put your computer to sleep. Activate "sleep" when not in use for a

while. Turn off equipment during longer periods

of non-use to cut energy costs and improve longevity.

• Don’t waste hot water. Adjust load size on washer to fit actual

load.

No Cost Ways to Save

• Flip the switch. Turn off appliances when not in use:

lights, TVs, VCRs or DVDs, computers, other electronics.

Unplug electronics with remotes when not being used regularly.

• Keep vent space clean & clear. Make sure draperies, furniture or rugs

aren’t blocking air. Clean grills regularly with a vacuum or

a broom.

No Cost Ways to Save

•Clean Refrigerator Coils Condenser coils are located in the

back of older refrigerators and at the bottom of most new ones. They should be periodically cleaned with a vacuum or brush. Be sure to unplug the refrigerator when cleaning the coils.

Low Cost Ways to Save• Caulk is cheap. Seal around

windows, doors, and exterior walls near the floor, electrical outlets and plumbing penetrations. (Save 18-30% on heating.)

Where to look for air leaks.

Home Sealing• Caulk is cheap. On windy days, feel around

windows, doors, and exterior walls near the floor, electrical outlets or plumbing penetrations.

• Seal up your windows and doors with caulking and weather stripping to ensure that you're not wasting energy on heat that escapes through leaks to the outdoors.

• Caulk works best on small gaps. Your hardware store should have products to close the larger gaps. Use low expansion foam product to seal larger openings.

Source: EPA - A DO-IT-YOURSELF GUIDE TO ENERGY STAR® HOME SEALING

Seal Small Gaps• Use expanding foam

and caulk to seal the openings around plumbing vent pipes and electrical wires.

• Be sure to wear gloves and be careful not to get expanding foam on your clothes, as the foam is very sticky and nearly impossible to remove once it sets.

• When the foam or caulk is dry, cover the area again with insulation.

Seal and Insulate Attic Hatches

Low Cost Ways to Save

Install Window Kits in Winter

• Use when there are single pane or lose fit windows.

• Cuts out infiltration and adds to thermal barrier.

• Shrinks tight for a transparent, wrinkle-free fit.

• Double-sided tape seals off cracks and crevices.

• Quick & easy installation.• Kits available for a variety

of window sizes.

Low Cost Ways to Save

• Check the yellow energy label on your water heater. A low efficiency

water heater could use an insulation blanket.

Low Cost Ways to Save

Insulate Water Heater & Pipes

Low Cost Ways to Save

Seal leaks with mastic or aluminum tape

Insulation

Tape seams

Seal and Insulate Ducts

Low Cost Ways to Save

• Go low flow. Install low-flow showerheads and sink aerators.

• Repair leaky faucets and toilets promptly – save water, money, and energy.

Low Cost Ways to Save• Install an ENERGY STAR

programmable thermostat: Temperature automatically sets back

when asleep or away. Consider ENERGY STAR labeled

appliances - use less energy, save money, and help the environment.

• Change a Light. Replace incandescent light bulbs

with comparable compact fluorescent lamps.

Compact Fluorescent Lamps

•CFLs use far less energy.

•Have comparable brightness and color rendition compared to incandescent lamps.

•Can directly replace standard incandescent bulbs.

Incandescent CFL

25 Watt = 5 Watt

50 Watt = 9 Watt

60 Watt = 15 Watt

75 Watt = 20 Watt

100 Watt = 25 Watt

120 Watt = 28 Watt

150 Watt = 39 Watt

Comprehensive Ways to Save• Check your insulation:

Check attic, ceilings, exterior and basement walls, floors, and crawl spaces vs. insulation levels recommended for your area.

R-values—the higher the R-value, the better your house will resist the transfer of heat.

DOE recommends ranges of R-values based on local energy costs and climate conditions.

See Zip Code Insulation Calculator, for economic insulation levels: http://www.ornl.gov/~roofs/Zip/ZipHome.html

Comprehensive Ways to Save• Increase your attic

insulation. Easiest and most cost-

effective insulation option. If less than R-19 (6 inches of

fiber glass or rock wool or 5 inches of cellulose), more could help.

• Consider insulating exterior walls. If attic insulated but home still

drafty and cold in the winter, or too warm in the summer, add insulation to the exterior walls.

Adding Insulation

Recommended Insulation Levels

AreaRecommended R-value

Attic 38-43

Wall (existing) 13

Wall (new) 21 or 13+5

Floor over unconditioned space

30

Basement Wall 10/13

Crawl Space Wall 10/13

Comprehensive Ways to Save

• Keep your furnace operating efficiently: Seasonal Inspection. Heating and cooling = half of the energy

costs for the average home. Ask for “temperature-rise check” to be sure

your furnace is operating in the range set by the manufacturer.

Comprehensive Ways to Save

• Look for the ENERGY STAR: Consider replacing old gas

appliances with ENERGY STAR® models.

If gas water heater > 12 years, consider replacement. Look for the Energy Factor (EF)- the higher, the more efficient.

If furnace > 15 years, consider an ENERGY STAR rated model - about 15 % more efficient vs. standard.

Should You Replace Your Furnace?

• If furnace >10 years

and repair costs > $500, replace rather than repair.

• If your furnace is old but not broken, deciding when to replace it can be difficult: Average life of furnaces: 16 -20

years. Boilers life: 30 years. Start shopping before life is over, so

you won’t make a hasty decision.

Replacing your furnace?

• Emergency shopping can be costly. • If house is large with high heating bills,

may be cost-effective to purchase a high efficiency model now.

• If repairing furnace, look for a heating professional who has experience with your type of heating system.

• Take advantage of tax credits and utility incentives.

95% AFUE1 Furnace w/ Electrically Commutated Motor (ECM)

• High efficiency furnaces, but poor electrical efficiency.

• Air handlers can draw over 700 watts.

• Efficient air handlers draw between 200 and 400 watts.

• 40% to 70% more efficient than standard furnaces.

1 – Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency

When Buying New Appliances

• Check the EnergyGuide label. Estimated yearly energy

consumption and cost. Your actual energy

consumption and cost will vary.

Scale for comparison with other models.

Shop around and find an Energy Star model for the same price as a standard model.

Tax Incentives• Energy Policy Act of 2005 with many follow-on

changes has energy efficiency incentives for existing homes. Average home loses 10 - 50 % of its energy through

inadequate insulation and inefficient lights and appliances. Energy bill offers consumers tax credits for making energy

efficiency improvements in homes.

• For 2011: cost-based credit to for energy improvements (limit $500): 10% up to $200 for Energy Star doors & windows. 10% up to $500 for insulation, duct sealing, and infiltration

reduction. 30% up to $150 for furnace or hot water boiler. 30% up to $300 for any energy-efficient heat pumps,

central air conditioners, and water heaters.

http://www.keepwarm.illinois.gov/