Mobile Home Energy and Comfort

The More You Know...The More YOU’RE In Control

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You and Your Family Can Makethe Difference

If you would like to lower your utility bills andbe warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer,this handbook is for you! It will show you and yourfamily how to take control of energy usage.

In this handbook, we’ll show whichweatherization measures may be installed in yourhome and how to get the most savings from them.We’ll also talk about how to use your majorappliances more efficiently and spend less.

There are lots of things you can do free ofcharge. In fact, some of the least expensive ideasactually save the most energy. When you lookthrough this guide, think about the ideas that wouldwork for your family and your lifestyle.

The decision is yours—you are the onethat can make the difference.

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You can stop wasting money right now! All ittakes is equipping your house to do a better job ofkeeping you warm at a price you can afford. Youcan be comfortable and still save the energy andmoney.

The following pages will provide tips to savingsin these areas:

• House heating• Water heating• Appliance usage• Weatherization

Help Your Furnace Save You Energy

Your furnace supplies heat to keep youcomfortable. If the house is free of drafts and wellinsulated, the furnace will do a better job of keepingyou warm.

There are many ways to help your furnace workmore efficiently and burn less fuel. The mostimportant thing you can do is:

Take Control of Your Thermostat: Settingthe thermostat temperature back to a lower settingand leaving it there will always save you money.There are potential energy savings on your heatingbill of 1–2 percent per degree of setback. Aim atsetting your thermostat at 68 degrees. A warmsweater may be the only requirement.

ENERGY TIP: Lowering the thermostat anadditional 10 degrees at night or while awaycould provide additional savings of $40 to $60a year.

The Household Energy Dollar

Space Heat 46%

Misc.8% Dryers

3%

Cooling6%

Lights6%

Cooking5%

Refrigerator& Freezers

11%Water Heat

15%

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Take Care of YourFurnace

The furnace is the heart of comfort inyour house. You can help to keep itworking right by:

Changing the Filter: The air filter inthe furnace removes the dust from the airthat is drawn back from the house to bereheated. Check the filter once a monthto see if it is clogged up with dirt. A dirtyfilter in the furnace is like trying tobreathe through a dusty handkerchief.Clean or change your filterfrequently.

WARNING: It may be unsafe toinstall a filter on some furnaces—check with a furnace technicianbefore installing.

Keep the Registers Clear: Becareful not to block return air registers orhot air supply registers with furniture,draperies or carpeting. Keep registersclean or replace them if they arerestricting air flow.

Seal Leaky Hot Air Ducts: Thecracks where the ducts join togetherand where the ducts connect to thefloor leak air. Seal these areas, withmastic duct sealant or high quality foiltape so heat isn’t wasted. If ducts aredisconnected, they should be repaired.Also be sure that there are noobstructions inside the ducts and thelouvers on the registers are operable.

Vent

Return AirGrill

FurnaceFilter

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Warning! Weatherized homes have a relatively low

rate of air exchange. As a result, wood stovesand unvented kerosene or gas space heatersshould not be used. Serious and lifethreatening indoor air quality problems canoccur. In the event of an emergency need forheat, use electric heaters.

If, despite this warning, you choose touse a wood stove or an unvented keroseneor gas space heater, be sure to implementthe following guidelines:

• Keep a window partially open toprovide ventilation.

• Be sure to use the proper fuel forthe type of heater. It could bedangerous if you don’t.

• Gas heaters should not be usedat all if they have a fluttering oryellow flame.

• Stop using the heater if you smellfumes, have headaches or dizzi-ness, or your eyes sting.

• Be sure to keep flammable materi-als, such as drapes, a safe distancefrom heaters.

Reading Your Meter—It’s ImportantAll this information on how to save money and

energy is good only if your utility company canprovide you with accurate monthly bills. If the gasor electric meter is inside your home or behind alocked fence, consistent meter reading may bedifficult. If you receive an estimated or a “skip”

billing, please contact your utility company as soonas possible. They have programs available that willprovide the meter readings they need and keep youinformed of your monthly usage. This is just onemore way to take control of your bill.

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Choose Alternate Heat WiselyElectricity is very expensive when used for

heating. A gas furnace can give you the sameamount of heat for about one-third thecost of running electric heaters. Evenone small heater used at night cancost from $15 to $25 per month.The only time space heaters shouldbe used is when you are trying toheat a small space (like thebathroom in the morning) and wantto leave your house thermostat ona l setting.

A very low cost solution in abedroom is to use an electricblanket or electric mattress,cover in place of an electricheater. Using anelectric blanket everynight will cost about$2 per month.

Waterbeds are anexpensive form of spaceheating. One waterbedcan cost you $10 to$15 per month duringthe heating season. Makesure to keep the bedmade up so uses lessenergy to stay warm. Youcan also use a heavy insulating padbetween the waterbag and your sheetsand just turn the heater down or off. An oldsleeping bag can do this trick.

ENERGY TIP: On wood-sided waterbeds,install one inch rigid insulation boardbetween the wood and the waterbag. Itmakes a great insulator.

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Don’t Pour Your Water HeatingDollars Down the Drain

Except for the furnace, the water heater takesthe biggest bite of energy dollars. There are twoways to save money:

• Heat the water more efficiently • Use hot water as wisely as possible

Take Control of Your Thermostat: Turn thethermostat setting down as low as you can withoutrunning out of hot water. We recommend that youtry 120 degrees first. My water heater settingshould be _________.

Insulate Your Water Heater: An insulatingblanket will help keep the water in the tank warm.Be sure to follow the directions that come with theinsulating blanket. For gas water heaters, you mustnot cover the following areas:

• The top of the tank • Below the drain • The combustion air opening • The temperature dial • The pilot light access plate • The drain valve • The pressure-temperature relieve valve

For electric water heaters, you must not cover:• Below the drain • The temperature dial • The drain valve • The control access plate • The pressure-temperature relieve valve

ENERGY TIP: Wrapping your tank can save$16 to $24 each year. Triple these savings forelectric water heaters.

Wrap Those Pipes: Insulate the first few feetof both the hot and cold water pipes that come outof the top of your water heater. Both of these pipesdrain heat away from the water in the tank. Keepwrap 6” from the flue on gas water heaters.

WARNING: Be sure that there is adequatecombustion air for gas water heaters.

Showers Are the Best Buy: Showers canuse half as much water as a bath. Take a showerwith the drain closed and see how much less wateryour shower takes.

Stop Those Leaks: One drip per second canwaste all the hot water in the tank in less than aweek! To replace a worn out washer, all you need isa screwdriver and 10¢ for a new washer.

Install Water Flow Restrictors: Installingflow restrictors on the bath and kitchen faucets cansave up to 5,000 gallons a year. Using one waterconservation showerhead can save up to $24in the first year, and with a good product,shower quality is not sacrificed.

Turn Off the Water: Letting the water runwhile you shave or brush your teeth is like pouringmoney down the drain.

Insulated Hot & ColdWater Pipes

InsulatingJacket

TemperatureControl

Dial

Gas Line

ReplaceWorn

Washer

Screw onFlow

Restrictor

CombustionAir Source

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Weatherizing Your HomeEvery home has air leaks, because every home

has cracks between walls, floors, roofs, windowsand doors. Once your home is tightened up, youwill need to maintain it with annual check-ups tomake sure it stays tight and weather proof. Useyour hand to check for drafts on a cold and windyday. There are many materials to stop drafts. Sealleaky ductwork with mastic or foil tape. Apply tubecaulk around the interior frames of windows anddoors, along baseboards and any hole or crackthat is smaller than the width of a pencil. Forlarge cracks, foam rope can be installedbefore caulking. Long term maintenanceof the weatherization measures willensure continued savings andcomfort.

Weatherizing and Indoor Air Quality

Some ventilation and air circulation is importantin order to maintain good indoor air quality. Toprevent the build-up of moisture, tobacco smokeand other indoor pollutants. It is important to keepall bath, kitchen and other exhaust fans clean andoperable. If you have a very tight home thesesystems will need to be operated frequently. Yourweatherization technician can advise you on thetightness of your home and proper fan operation.

WARM AIR LEAVES HOMETHROUGH GAPS AT THE

CEILING LEVEL

COLD AIR ENTERSHOME THROUGH GAPSIN THE LOWER LEVEL

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You can have a more comfortable home if youcontrol the weather around it. You say, “I cannotcontrol the weather.” But think about it. Isn’t itcooler sitting in the shade than in the sun? Plant atree, some ivy or build an awning to guard against

the sun’s summertime heat. Maybe you can build afence to block the winter’s wind. In cold bedroomsrearrange the bed and other furniture away fromdrafty windows and outside walls. And mostimportantly, use the sun’s heat in thewintertime to warm your house by openingwindow coverings on south facing walls.

CeilingBecause hot air rises, holes in the ceiling (such

as air conditioning or ventilation shafts) cause majorleaks directly to the outside. It’s very important tocaulk or patch these holes. The opening around thefurnace flue should be sealed with materials thatcan withstand high temperatures.

Be sure to use an interior cover for the swampcooler or air conditioner during the heating season.

A good amount of ceiling insulation can keepyour home much warmer in winter. It also keepsyou cooler in summer by keeping the hot airoutside.

FloorA cold floor is like cold feet. It can make

the rest of the house feel cold. Seal leaks inthe ductwork and around plumbing pipes.

Floor insulation helps to keep the floor warmin winter and it also insulates the furnace ducts.

Working with Mother Nature

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WallsCommon wall leaks

include holes for pipes andelectrical outlets and loosepaneling. Seal holes for plumbing pipes and re-nailwall panels where necessary. Drafts throughelectrical outlets can be contained by installingfoam gaskets between the wall and the outlet.

Adequate wall insulation will help your home tobe more comfortable year round.

DoorsLike windows, doors must close tightly to keep

out the cold.• Caulk all cracks between the

interior frame and the wall withtube caulk

• Install weatherstripping to sealgaps between the door andframe

• Make sure the door sweepseals the gap between thedoor and the floor

If the door does not close easily,it may not be hung properly. Thehinges could be loose or the lock maynot catch properly. These basicrepairs need to be made before thedoor is weatherized.

WindowsTighten your primary windows first. Then

consider inside storm windows.• Repair cracked or broken glass• Caulk cracks around the window frame with

tube caulk• Lock your windows to make them tighter

After tightening thewindow, check again for draftsby holding your hand up andfeeling for cold air. Windowsshould be leak-free before youconsider other windowtreatments. If you have interiorstorm windows, install themduring cold weather.

If you ever have to replacea window consider areplacement window thatcomes with a self-storingstorm window attached.

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Appliance TipsThe cost to operate appliances and lights may

be almost as much as the cost to heat your homeand the water you use. Here are some tips to keepappliance costs down.

Refrigerator/Freezer: That extra refrigeratoror freezer may be costing much more than youknow. If you don’t really need it, unplug it andwatch your bill go down.

The refrigerator and freezer operate best whenthey are full but not overcrowded.

ENERGY TIP: If there isn’t much food inthe freezer, you can help by filling milkcartons three-fourths full with water andtucking them in the empty areas of yourfreezer.

Defrost the freezer regularly. More than one-fourth inch of frost build-up wastes energy andmoney.

Unplug your refrigerator and vacuum the dustoff the coils twice a year.

Check door gaskets to make sure they aresealing tightly. Replace them if they are torn orbroken. If the seal is just hardened and is not doing the job, try warming it with a hair dryer andstretching it but by hand.

ENERGY TIP: If a dollar billremoves easily from a closedrefrigerator door, the gaskets are too loose.

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Washing and Drying Your Clothes: If thewasher has a water level setting, adjust it to thesize of your load. The washer will work moreefficiently if you wash only full loads.

Cold Water Wash: If you wash all yourclothes in cold water instead of hot, youcould save about $80 a year for a family offour. Diapers and some really dirty clothes mayneed hot water, but most come clean just fine incold water. Try different detergents to see whichones work best in cold water.

Clothes dryers are expensive to run, so use aclothes line whenever you can. You can always fluffthe laundry in the dryer for a couple of minutes onthe air setting after they’re dry.

When you use the dryer, separate loads intofast and slow drying items.

Think about buying a gas dryer when you needto replace your dryer. They cost about one-third asmuch to operate as electric dryers.

Cooking Efficiently and Safely: Keep theoven door closed while cooking. A peek makes youlose about 25 degrees in temperature. Use a timerinstead.

Use the right sized burners for your pans.Cover the pans while cooking. Turn your oven off

ten minutes early—there’s plenty of heat to finishthe job.

MYTH: The oven always needs preheating.

When practical, substitute small appliancessuch as toasters, crockpots and microwaves foryour range. These appliances use less energy!

WARNING: Never use the oven forwarming up your house. It is very dangerousand costly.

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Dishwashing Tips: Handwashing usually uses less waterthan automatic dishwashers,provided you don’t leave thefaucet running while rinsing thedishes.

Running the automaticdishwasher when it’s full makesthe best use of water andenergy. Allow dishes to air dryand save half the cost per load.

Household Lighting: Getin the habit of turning off lightswhenever leaving the room.

Use lower wattage bulbs whenever possible.They cost less to operate.

Fluorescent lights use much less energy thanincandescent bulbs. You can find some that canscrew into your existing fixtures. Use themwherever you leave lights on for at least threehours—like the kitchen or basement.

Installing outdoor solar lighting is aninexpensive way to provide automatic safety andsecurity for your home.

ENERGY TIP: Remember, the cheapestform of lighting is natural light.

Cooling Options: The most expensive way tocool your home is with an air conditioner. Anevaporative cooler (swamp cooler) can do the jobfor you for about one-fourth the cost. You could runseven fans for what it costs to run one airconditioner!

Air conditioners and evaporative coolersneed maintenance every year to performefficiently. Check with your dealer or call aservice firm to see which things you can doyourself.

Open windows at night to provide asmuch cool air ventilation as possible. Closewindows, doors and drapes during the heat ofthe day.

Shading for south facing windows isparticularly important.

Painting the roof white does an excellentjob of reflecting summer heat.

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Youcould run seven fans for what it costs to run one airconditioner!

Air conditioners should be maintained toperform efficiently. Check with your dealer or calla service firm to see which things you can doyourself.

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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

For More Information On:• To receive Weatherization in Colorado or for

assistance in paying your utility bill, call 1-866-HEATHELP (866-432-8435).

• Energy Conservation and Tax Rebates, con-tact DOE at 1-800-dial-DOE (800-342-5363)

• Indoor Air Quality, contact EPA at 1-800-438-4318 or www.epa.gov/iaq

Frequently Asked Questions Q: Someone told me that it’s better to keep my

thermostat set at one temperature, is this true? A: Typically you will save more by

lowering your thermostat if you are going tobe away for more than one hour.

Q: Will I save money by closing off heatregisters in unused rooms?

A: One must be careful, you could upsetthe balance of your heating system and domore harm than good. This is usually donemore for comfort than as a way to saveenergy.

Q: Since my dryer exhaust is warm, can I use itto help heat my home?

A: Although dryer exhaust is warm, itcarries harmful chemicals and damagingmoisture. It is better to exhaust it outdoors.

Q: Moisture and mold always forms on mywindow frames in the winter, why is this?

A: There are several possible reasons, butmost likely its because your window framesare metal, your exterior walls lack insulationand so warm moist air trapped inside yourhome condenses on cold surfaces like yourwindows. If it gets cold enough it may freezeon the frames and sills of your windows. TIP: Cover your windows with thick drapes orcurtains, insulate exterior walls if possible,run exhaust fans or crack open a window tohelp ventilate excess moisture out of yourhome.

Q: How do I know if my water heater needs tobe wrapped with an insulation blanket?

A: If your water heater is located outsidethe heated space of your home (e.g. garage orcrawl space) it probably needs a blanket. Todouble check; put your hand on the side of

the tank if it feels warm, wrap it!Also, read the labels on the tank, it should

tell you the existing R-value. If its R-7 orgreater and doesn’t feel warm to the touch,don’t wrap it.

E$P Weatherization AgenciesDenver Metro

• Sun Power Inc.(303) 382-1514 Serves: Denver and Jefferson County

• Housing & Community DevelopmentService @(303) 365-1678 Serves: Adams and Arapahoe County

• Longs Peak Energy Conservation (303) 441-1716 Serves: Boulder, Gilpin and Larimer County

Southern Colorado • Energy Resource Center

(719) 587-9492 Serves: Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Douglas,El Paso, Elbert, Fremont, Mineral, Rio Grand,Saguache and Teller County

• Pueblo County Department of HumanServices(719) 583-6110 Serves: Baca, Bent, Crowley, Custer,Huerfano, Kiowa, Las Animas, Otero,Prowers, and Pueblo County

Eastern Colorado • Northeast Colorado Association of Local

Governments(970) 867-9409 x230 Serves: Cheyenne, Kit Carson, Lincoln,Logan, Phillips, Sedgwick, Washington, Weldand Yuma County

Central Colorado • Northwest Colorado Council of

Governments800-332-3669 x103 Serves: Chaffee, Clear Creek, Eagle,Garfield, Grand, Jackson, Lake, Moffat, Park,Pitkin, Rio Blanco, Routt and Summit County

Western Colorado • Housing Resources of Western Colorado

(970) 241-2871 Serves: Archuleta, Delta, Dolores, Gunnison,Hinsdale, La Plata, Mesa, Montezuma,Montrose, Ouray, San Juan and San MiguelCounties

Madison Gas and Electric Home Energy Line252-7117

Energy Services (Dane County)267-8601

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Frequently Asked QuestionsQ: Someone told me that it's better to keep my

thermostat set at one temperature, is this true?A: Typically you will save more by lowering

your thermostat if you are going to be away forthan one hour.

Q: Will I save money by closing off heat registersin unused rooms?A: One must be careful, you could upset the

balance of your heating system and do moreharm than good. This is usually done more forcomfort than as a way to save energy.

Q: Since my dryer exhaust is warm, can I use itto help heat my home?A: Although dryer exhaust is warm, it carries

harmful chemicals and damaging moisture. It isbetter to exhaust it outdoors.

Q: Moisture and mold always forms on mywindow frames in the winter, why is this?A: There are several possible reasons, but

most likely it's because your window frames aremetal, your exterior walls lack insulation and sowarm moist air trapped inside your homecondenses on cold surfaces like your windows. Ifit gets cold enough it may freeze on the framesand sills of your windows. TIP: Cover yourwindows with thick drapes or curtains, insulateexterior walls if possible, run exhaust fans orcrack open a window to help ventilate excessmoisture out of your home.

Q: How do I know if my water heater needs to bewrapped with an insulation blanket?A: If your water heater is located outside the

heated space of your home (e.g. garage or crawlspace) it probably needs a blanket. To doublecheck; put your hand on the side of the tank if itfeels warm, wrap it!Also, read the labels on the tank, it should tell

you the existing R-value. If it's R-7 or greater anddoesn't feel warm to the touch, don't wrap it.

Energy AssistanceHouseholds with low to moderate income may be eligiblefor energy assistance from the Wisconsin Home EnergyAssistance Program. Many households with income fromfarms, offices, factories and other workplaces receivethis assistance that helps with space heating andelectricity costs. Funds are limited, so apply early whilemoney is still available (October 15 to May 15).

For more information or to apply for energy assistance,call the office in your county. If you are handicapped, callto schedule a home visit.

- Dane County...........................................(608) 267-8601- Columbia County....................................(608) 742-4088- Crawford County.....................................(608) 326-0248- Iowa County............................................(608) 935-9311- Juneau County........................................(608) 847-5988- Monroe County.......................................(608) 269-5021- Sauk County...........................................(608) 356-8887- Vernon County........................................(608) 637-5210

In Dane CountyCall to schedule an appointment

(608) 267-8601

Appointments are taken at:

Energy Services, Inc.1225 South Park StreetMadison, WI 53715

For More InformationMadison Gas and Electric Home Energy Line252-7117

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Produced by the Energy $avings Partners Program of Colorado (Governor’s Office of Energy Management and Conservation, Xcel Energy, and the Low-Income

Energy Assistance Program under Colorado Department of Human Services). Illustrations by Carol Kimball and Energy Coordinating Agency (ECA) of Philadelphia.

We gratefully acknowledge the assistance of the Colorado Energy Coalition and the ECA of Philadelphia,responsible for the original creation of this handbook.

Printing provided by Madison Gas and Electric Company.

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WeatherizationChecklist

Insulation1 Ceiling2 Belly3 Sidewalls

Distribution4 Seal Ductwork 5 Check Filters

Heat6 Set Back Thermostat 7 Furnace Tune-up

Roof/Ceiling8 Repair Leaks 9 Install Swamp Cooler Cover

Windows 10 Repair11 Install Storm Windows

Doors12 Repair13 Weatherstrip

Hot Water 14 Insulate Tank 15 Insulate Water Pipes 16 Insulate Compartment Door 17 Set Back Thermostat