Widespread Changes Can Lead to Big Results; 30 Tips for Cutting Your Energy Bill

Here is a simple checklist of things you can do to reduce your energy bill—30 things in total! You’re sure to find some solutions to save money—and reduce your energy consumption.

1. When using an air conditioning unit of any sort, set your thermostat for 78 degrees or higher.
2. If you plan to be on vacation, set your thermostat for 85 degrees or higher during warm seasons.
3. Use a shade or covering with an air conditioning unit’s condenser.
4. Use awnings and trees to shade windows and doors.
5. In colder months, set your thermostat as low as possible for your comfort level. Aim for 68 degrees or lower.
6. When using central air conditioning or heating, close vents to rooms in your home that are not being used.
7. During the day, keep windows and doors closed. Use blinds and shades to cover doors to reduce heat and cool air loss.
8. Only use your dryer when it is full—or air dry clothes.
9. Insulate your attic and ceiling. Proper insulation may reduce energy costs by as much as 25 percent.
10. Insulate walls and doors to prevent air from escaping. Concrete foam is a popular solution.
11. Weather strip doors, windows, pipes, and ducts.
12. Seal electric outlets and boxes with foam or fiberglass gaskets.
13. Update single-pane windows to storm or thermal windows.
14. Promptly repair holes in the roof, walls, ceilings, floors, and windows with proper insulation.
15. For a dish washer, set the thermostat to 120 degrees to 140 degrees.
    

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    Use low-flow showerheads and water faucets.
17. Use only cold or warm water in your washing machine.
18. Insulate your water heater with a blanket or insulating protection.
19. Only open the refrigerator and freezer doors when necessary. Close them promptly when finished.
20. Clean refrigerator coils.
21. Use only one refrigerator. A second unit could cost about $200 per year.
22. Don’t preheat your oven.
23. When cooking in the oven, cook several dishes at one time, if possible, to reduce the amount of time your oven is in use and consuming energy.
24. When cooking and reheating smaller quantities of food, use your microwave rather than your oven.
25. For lights, use dimmer switches or timers to limit the amount of time your lights are active—and the wattage you consume.
26. Turn off lights when not at home—or when they are not needed.
27. Switch your light bulbs to compact fluorescent and avoid using older-model light bulbs. You’ll save 2/3 energy and won’t need to replace your bulbs for 10 times as much time.
28. When cooking food, use a range top instead of an oven, whenever possible.
29. Clean pool cleaning equipment properly before each use.
30. Use a pool cover when not using a pool to reduce evaporation.

Use any of these 30 energy saving (and cost saving) tips to reduce your reliance on energy—and to cut your electricity bills significantly. You’ll love the results you get by making small, manageable changes like these.

Plus, patented software from EcoFactor

A doctor can tell if you’re sick by taking your temperature.

EcoFactor is concocting software that can do the same for your house.

The startup — which has invented a home energy management system that gets sold through utilities and communications carriers — has obtained a patent for calculating the thermal mass of a building. Software derived from the patent crunches historical weather data, data on how much you use your heater and air conditioner, and other factors to diagnose your home and pinpoint any problems.

In a test case in Fort Worth, Texas, for instance, a consumer had purchased an ultra-high efficiency air conditioning system but was still experiencing extraordinarily high bills. The software helped find the problem: crushed ducts and a dryer duct that was venting into the home’s air handler.

“He was losing money every time he turned on the air conditioner,” said co-founder and senior vice president of products Scott Hublou.

In another house, the software detected a clogged furnace filter that boosted HVAC consumption by 8 percent to 9 percent.

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The company will use the technology to optimize its own services. In a nutshell, EcoFactor links its software-as-a-service to your thermostat and then dynamically adjusts the temperature all day, within comfort parameters set by the homeowner, to save energy. Oncor is currently reselling the service to its customer base in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. EcoFactor claims the system can curb energy consumption by 25 percent to 30 percent; it is particularly effective in muggy areas like the Southeast where air conditioning is a way of life.

But the patent could also conceivably be used to analyze small commercial buildings. Another idea: using the software as a prelude to a full-blown energy audit and retrofit.

“You could quantify the actual savings,” said John Steinberg, CEO and the other co-founder. “It is less labor-intensive than an audit.”

EcoFactor has an number of other patent applications winding their way through the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, so expect to see more of these. Disclosure: although many reporters and analysts disdain patents and whine that patents, particularly software patents, stifle innovation, I believe intellectual property remains the bedrock of Silicon Valley.

Patents are “something that we think have absolutely helped us on the funding side,” said Steinberg. “I don’t think there is any question that it is helpful to have a deep and wide patent portfolio.”

The main thing: Act fast

By MARA LEMOS STEIN

(See Correction & Amplification below .)

As winter approaches, you may be looking for ways to cut your energy bills. The good news is that the U.S. offers tax credits for many energy-saving home improvements. The bad news: You have to act fast—some of those credits are expiring on Dec. 31. What you need to know:

What improvements are covered by the expiring credits?

Homeowners can get a tax credit for installing certain wood or pellet stoves; energy-efficient furnaces, water heaters and air-conditioning systems; insulated roofs, windows and doors; and wall and ceiling insulation. The tax credit covers 30% of the purchase costs, up to $1,500. (For a full list, check the Energy Star website at www.energystar.gov.)

Is the installation cost covered?

The cost of putting in heating and air-conditioning systems, water heaters and biomass stoves is, but installing new windows, doors, roofs and insulation isn’t.

Can I use the tax credits for improvements in a vacation home?

Sorry, no. The improvements qualify for an existing home that is your primary residence, even if it is a houseboat or mobile home. But rentals, vacation homes and new construction aren’t eligible.

With time short, what improvements make the most sense?

Upgrading your heating and cooling, which can be as much as 50% of the average home’s energy bill. If your furnace or boiler is more than 10 years old, this may be the ideal time to replace it. All improvements must be in place and equipment in service by Dec. 31 to qualify for the tax credits.

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Elwood Smith

What improvements can be done relatively cheaply?

Adding insulation. If you choose to insulate just the area where your family spends most of their waking hours, for instance, the cost will be low but your family will be much more comfortable. And often insulation is a do-it-yourself project, so you save on labor costs.

Am I going to have trouble finding a contractor on short notice?

Not only are contractors available, but many of them are using the expiring tax credits as a marketing tool, according to the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. You can find qualified contractors at the association’s website, www.nari.org. Many of the contractors have the equipment and materials ready to go, and you’ll be helping workers in an industry badly hit by the recession.

Will a new dishwasher get me some tax credits?

Appliances don’t qualify, but appliances carrying the Energy Star seal will help reduce your energy bill. Also, many states and local utilities are offering direct rebates—no need to wait for tax returns—on some appliances. Check www.energysavers.gov to see details of programs in your state.

Might the program be reinstated for future tax years?

Legislation has been introduced to extend the tax credits, but experts say it is unlikely Congress will pass it before the end of the year.

Will I be able to handle this on my tax return without having to call on an expert?

The form is simple. Just make sure you save the manufacturer’s certificate that states the equipment or service is eligible under the program. If not available with the product, the certificates can also be found on the websites of the manufacturers.

I’m subject to the alternative minimum tax. Will I still be able to qualify for this tax credit?

These credits can be used to offset the AMT, says Gary R. Price, tax partner with Sensiba San Filippo LLP, an accounting firm in the San Francisco Bay area.

Are there any tax incentives for rooftop solar-power systems?

Yes, and they are far more generous. Federal tax credits for solar-energy, small residential wind turbines and geothermal pump systems cover 30% of all costs—installation included—with no upper limit. These are good on both primary homes and vacation homes, new construction or otherwise. And they don’t expire until 2016.

—Ms. Lemos Stein is a reporter for Dow Jones VentureWire in New York. She can be reached at mara.lemos-stein@dowjones.com.

Correction & Amplification

Federal energy-efficiency tax credits for home improvements like new insulation and furnaces can’t be used to reduce your tax bill if you’re subject to the alternative minimum tax. This article incorrectly states that the tax credits, which expire Dec. 31, could be used to offset the AMT. But credits for residential renewable-energy projects—involving solar panels or small wind turbines, for instance—can offset the AMT.

Window replacement is an ideal way to increase a home’s value, add curb appeal and be more energy efficient; Here are six new technologies for homeowners to consider when researching options

MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 29, 2010 /PRNewswire/ — Many homeowners interested in window replacement do so to make their home more energy efficient, to add curb appeal and to increase their home value. There are many new technologies that have made windows more energy efficient and better quality. Here are six new technologies to look for when interested in window replacement.

1. Low-emissivity (low-E) glass keeps heat inside a home in the winter and out of the home in the summer. This is due to the thin metallic coating that reflects heat back to its source. The low-E coating blocks UV rays but allows 95% of the natural light to enter. This further reduces energy costs.

2. Rather than expensive window treatments, homeowners can choose special glass that creates privacy. These include frosted or bubble glass and glass blocks, which capture light but limit visibility. These are ideal for ground level bathrooms.

3. Casements and awning units that feature fold-down handles provide enough room for blinds, shades and window treatments. These eliminate the need for window cracks that interfere with treatments.

4. Homeowners can choose suspended particle device technology that can be added to existing windows or a new window replacement. These have a dimmer switch on tinted glass panes that regulate light coming into the house.

5. There are coatings that can be professionally applied that cut glare, save on energy costs and block harmful UV rays that can make flooring, fabric and windows fade.

6. There are now dual-action coatings that can be added to existing and new window pane replacements to keep windows cleaner. This coating breaks down organic matter that collects on the glass to allow in more light.

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By Nino Marchetti | 29 November 2010, 07:06 BST

Those living the off-grid lifestyle and generating their own clean energy look to have a new small, home wind turbine to choose from courtesy of Electric Pinwheels. The turbine, which we assume is the company’s EP-220 model, is interesting in several regards, including the fact you get to choose from one of 21 different color choices for the interchangeable blades.

The EP-220 model from Electric Pinwheels, which we learned about via The Green Optimistic, is definitely not the type of mega wind turbine you see dotting wind farms across the country. It is rather for small scale home installations that are designed specifically for lower, turbulent winds. The company, which began development on its wind turbine in 2008, now is selling what it calls a “Horizontal-Axis Wind Turbine (HAWT) with a patent-pending semi-rigid blade structure that is 63% lighter than comparable blades made from wood or fiberglass.”

EP-220 pinwheel-turbine

Features of the Electric Pinwheels wind turbine include power output of 220 watts at 28 mph (12.5 m/s); being made from recycled plastic; reportedly being able to more quickly respond to wind speed and direction changes in residential settings; and being able to swap out blades on the turbine without tools in eight seconds.

The turbine sells either by itself or as part of a larger plug-ready system with optional solar panels. Either way it is designed to be portable, “allowing the owner to move the wind turbine and solar panel to get the best results and to take it with them if needed.”

Source: Earth Techling

This special guest post comes to us from Mark Mizrahi, CEO and President of EnLink Geoenergy Services, Inc.

Recently, we have seen an increase in new construction aiming to achieve LEED certification and even Net Zero Energy buildings. Although market trends for construction have seen a decline in recent years, the U.S. Green Building Council estimates the growth in LEED certified buildings is continuing and will have doubled from 2009 to 2013.

In California, the California Energy Commission and California Public Utilities Commission are advancing efforts to mandate that all new construction for the residential sector be Net Zero by 2030 and for the commercial sector by 2050. With Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards now policy for utility companies, other states are sure to follow California’s lead.

Inevitably all buildings will become Net Zero Energy. It is a necessity. Net Zero Energy building means a building is not a net user of energy; that is, it produces as much as it uses. As buildings currently account for approximately 40% of all primary energy use in the U.S., and are responsible for a corresponding 40% of all CO₂ emissions, the beneficial consequences of Net Zero Energy buildings are immense.

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If Net Zero is the solution the question becomes, “how can we achieve this?”

Simple applications of specific technologies could easily reduce the energy loads required for a building’s operation dramatically. Geothermal Heat Pump Systems (also referred to as ground source heat pump systems) could be the most effective of these technologies. On average, 65% of a building’s energy load is consumed for heating and cooling purposes. The EPA suggests geothermal systems can potentially reduce the amount of energy used for heating and cooling by up to 72%. During cooling periods, GHP systems use excess heat for a building’s domestic hot water needs, reducing the amount of energy required by another 5-10%. A conservative estimate of the total reduction in energy consumed by a building would be 40%. In short, a single, existing and proven technology could conservatively cut a buildings energy use almost in half.

The concept behind geothermal systems is simple. They utilize the constant temperature of the earth’s shallow layers to cool and heat buildings without the need for chillers or boilers. The earth is used as a heat sink in the summer, and a heat source in the winter.

Geothermal systems not only dramatically reduce the amount of energy consumption of buildings, but have other proven benefits as well. These benefits include water conservation, reduced operating, maintenance and replacement costs, no on site use of fossil fuels, and system longevity. Geothermal systems are versatile and can work in combination with any energy management program. The systems are the only demand side renewable that works the same in all regions and is available at all points of use.

Geothermal can also be a major contributor toward LEED certification for buildings. Industry estimates are the systems can provide up to 34 potential LEED points towards certification. It only takes 40 to get basic certification.

With this information on hand, why hasn’t there been more effort to increase the frequency of geothermal heat pump system use? One reason is that much of the current policy initiatives are related to supply side renewables, namely solar photovoltaics and wind turbines. While renewable sources of energy are indeed part of the solution, demand side energy efficiency measures are essential. Most energy efficiency efforts are focused on incremental steps like lighting and insulation, not on more far-reaching technologies like geothermal. Notwithstanding, there is an increase in use of these systems and we expect them to grow significantly in the coming years, given the objectives we will be required to work towards.

EnLink Geoenergy Services, Inc., a turnkey full-service geothermal contractor, and a leader in the design and installation of geothermal heat pump systems, has produced significant energy savings on multiple projects throughout the U.S. EnLink is based in Los Angeles County, California.

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GetSolar Staff. Sunday, November 14th 2010 09:00
Some businesses and homeowners are motivated to go solar because they want to reduce their environmental impact – but for others, it’s all about the potential savings. By reducing the consumption of grid-sourced energy, solar power can slash a household or business’ energy bills significantly. But can a solar installation do more than break even and have a positive return on investment?

The answer is yes – with some caveats.

In most cases, solar arrays will have a payback period – the length of time they take to pay for themselves through energy savings – of no more than 15 years. (Solar water heating systems, which are much cheaper than home solar installations, have a shorter payback: Because they only cost a few thousand dollars, they will pay for themselves in far fewer than 10 years.)

In states with robust solar incentive programs, solar installations can take much less time to pay off. In places like California – which often have rebate programs at the municipal level – or New Jersey – which requires utilities to pay clean-energy producers for the power they generate – solar projects’ payback can be surprisingly short.

Yet even solar installations in states without strong rebate programs can pay for themselves in short order.

On November 12, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch profiled chemical distribution company Walsh & Associates, which recently put 416 solar panels in place at its warehouse. The array’s $500,000 price tag was offset by a 30 percent federal tax credit and a one-time, $50,000 payment from utility Ameren – but Walsh assumed the rest of the installation cost.

Even so, the company expects its solar project to be paid off in just six to nine years. The reason for the quick payoff is that Walsh will cut its energy spending sharply: By going solar, the firm will slash its $36,000 annual energy bill to just $1,500.

Assuming the array has a 25-year useful life, the chemical distributor anticipates that it will enjoy a return on investment of half a million dollars. Homeowners who go solar shouldn’t expect to save $500,000, but they, too, can see a positive ROI by installing a solar array.

Solar has environmental benefits, of course – but it’s hard to ignore the economic ones.