Tips On Saving Energy & Money at Home
Tips On Saving Energy & Money at Home
Tips On Saving Energy & Money at Home
Contents
1 Save Energy and Money Today
2 Your Home’s Energy Use
4 Insulation and Sealing Air Leaks
10 Heating and Cooling
16 Water Heating
18 Windows
20 Lighting
22 Appliances
29 Home Office and Home Electronics
31 Driving and Car Maintenance
32 Renewable Energy
33 References
To learn more about DOE programs in energy efficiency and renewable energy, visit the
Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’s web site at www.eere.energy.gov
Save Energy and Money Today
Cool Hot
Attic
Walls
Insulation and Sealing Air Leaks
Floors
Crawl space
Basement
Where to Insulate
Adding insulation in the areas shown above may be the best way to improve your home’s energy efficiency.
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which are based on cost effectiveness. Should I Insulate My Home?
For more customized insulation
recommendations, visit our site, The answer is probably “yes” if you:
www.energysavers.gov, and check out • Have an older home and haven’t
the Zip Code Insulation Calculator, added insulation. Only 20% of
which lists the most economic insulation homes built before 1980 are well
levels for your new or existing home insulated.
based on your zip code and other basic • Are uncomfortably cold in the
information about your home. winter or hot in the summer—
adding insulation creates a more
Although insulation can be made from
uniform temperature and increases
a variety of materials, it usually comes
comfort.
in four types; each type has different
characteristics. • Build a new home, addition, or
install new siding or roofing.
Rolls and batts—or blankets—are • Pay high energy bills.
flexible products made from mineral
fibers, such as fiberglass and rock wool. • Are bothered by noise from
outside—insulation muffles sound.
They are available in widths suited to
standard spacings of wall studs and attic
or floor joists: 2x4 walls can hold R-13 Insulation Tips
or R-15 batts; 2x6 walls can have R-19 • Consider factors such as your
or R-21 products. climate, building design, and budget
Loose-fill insulation—usually made of when selecting insulation R-values
fiberglass, rock wool, or cellulose— for your home.
comes in shreds, granules, or nodules. • Use higher density insulation, such
These small particles should be blown as rigid foam boards, in cathedral
into spaces using special pneumatic ceilings and on exterior walls.
equipment. The blown-in material • Ventilation plays a large role in
conforms readily to building cavities and providing moisture control and
attics. Therefore, loose-fill insulation is reducing summer cooling bills.
well suited for places where it is difficult Attic vents can be installed along
to install other types of insulation. the entire ceiling cavity to help
ensure proper airflow from the soffit
Rigid foam insulation—foam insulation
to the attic to make a home more
typically is more expensive than fiber
comfortable and energy efficient.
Insulation and Sealing Air Leaks
• As specified on the product or 6 inches of cellulose), you could
packaging, follow the product probably benefit by adding more. Most
instructions on installation and wear U.S. homes should have between R-22
the proper protective gear when and R-49 insulation in the attic.
installing insulation. If your attic has enough insulation and
$ Long-Term Savings Tip your home still feels drafty and cold in
• One of the most cost-effective the winter or too warm in the summer,
ways to make your home more chances are you need to add insulation to
comfortable year-round is to add the exterior walls as well. This is a more
insulation to your attic. expensive measure that usually requires
a contractor, but it may be worth the cost
Adding insulation to the attic is if you live in a very hot or cold climate.
relatively easy and very cost effective.
To find out if you have enough attic You may also need to add insulation
insulation, measure the thickness of to your crawl space. Either the walls or
the insulation. If it is less than R-22 the floor above the crawl space should
(7 inches of fiber glass or rock wool be insulated.
* These recommendations are cost-effective levels of insulation based on the best available information
on local fuel and materials costs and weather conditions. Consequently, the levels may differ from
current local building codes. In addition, the apparent fragmentation of the recommendations is an
artifact of these data and should not be considered absolute minimum requirements.
New Construction Today, new products are on the
For new construction or home market that provide both insulation
additions, R-11 to R-28 insulation and structural support and should be
is recommended for exterior walls considered for new home construction
depending on location (see map). To or additions. Structural insulated
meet this recommendation, most homes panels, known as SIPS, and masonry
and additions constructed with 2 in. products like insulating concrete forms
x 4 in. walls require a combination of are among these. Some homebuilders
wall cavity insulation, such as batts are even using an old technique
and insulating sheathing or rigid foam borrowed from the pioneers, building
boards. If you live in an area with an walls using straw bales. Check online
insulation recommendation that is at www.energysavers.gov for more
greater than R-20, you may want to information on structural insulation.
consider building with 2 in. x 6 in. Radiant barriers (in hot climates),
framing instead of 2 in. x 4 in. framing reflective insulation, and foundation
to allow room for thicker wall cavity insulation should all be considered for
insulation—R-19 to R-21. new home construction. Check with
your contractor for more information
about these options.
Ceiling Basement
Electric furnace
Slab edge
Cathedral
Exterior
Interior
Wall (A)
Fuel oil
Floor
Zone
Attic
Gas
(A) R-18, R-22, and R-28 exterior wall systems can be achieved by either cavity insulation or cavity insulation with insulating sheathing.
For 2 in. x 4 in. walls, use either 3-1/2-in. thick R-15 or 3-1/2-in. thick R-13 fiberglass insulation with insulating sheathing.
For 2 in. x 6 in. walls, use either 5-1/2-in. thick R-21 or 6-1/4-in. thick R-19 fiberglass insulation.
(B) Insulate crawl space walls only if the crawl space is dry all year, the floor above is not insulated, and all ventilation to the crawl space is blocked.
A vapor retarder (e.g., 4- or 6-mil polyethylene film) should be installed on the ground to reduce moisture migration into the crawl space.
(C) No slab edge insulation is recommended.
Sources of Air Leaks in Your Home
Areas that leak air into and out of your home cost you lots of money. Check the areas listed below.
Heating and Cooling
H eating and cooling your home
uses more energy and drains
more energy dollars than any other
if in doubt about how to perform
this task, call a professional.
• Place heat-resistant radiator
system in your home. Typically, 45% reflectors between exterior walls
of your utility bill goes for heating and the radiators.
and cooling. What’s more, heating
• Turn off kitchen, bath, and other
and cooling systems in the United
exhaust fans within 20 minutes after
States together emit 150 million tons
you are done cooking or bathing;
of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere
when replacing exhaust fans,
each year, adding to global climate
consider installing high-efficiency,
change. They also generate about
low-noise models.
12% of the nation’s sulfur dioxide and
4% of the nitrogen oxides, the chief • During the heating season, keep the
ingredients in acid rain. draperies and shades on your south-
facing windows open during the day
No matter what kind of heating, to allow the sunlight to enter your
ventilation, and air-conditioning home and closed at night to reduce
system you have in your house, you the chill you may feel from cold
can save money and increase your windows.
comfort by properly maintaining
• During the cooling season, keep the
and upgrading your equipment. But
window coverings closed during the
remember, an energy-efficient furnace
day to prevent solar gain.
alone will not have as great an impact
on your energy bills as using the $ Long-Term Savings Tips
whole-house approach. By combining • Select energy-efficient products
proper equipment maintenance and when you buy new heating and
upgrades with appropriate insulation, cooling equipment. Your contractor
air sealing, and thermostat settings, should be able to give you energy
you can cut your energy use for
heating and cooling, and reduce
environmental emissions, from 20%
to 50%.
Heating and Cooling Tips
• Set your thermostat as low as is
comfortable in the winter and
as high as is comfortable in the
summer.
• Clean or replace filters on furnaces
Heating and Cooling
with insulation already installed. the heat ducts are fully insulated, because there
would be no heat source to prevent the space
Sealing your ducts to prevent leaks is from freezing in cold weather. However, using
even more important if the ducts are an electric heating tape wrap on the pipes can
located in an unconditioned area such prevent this.
as an attic or vented crawl space. If
the supply ducts are leaking, heated
11
• If your basement has been converted They collect heat from the air, water,
to a living area, hire a professional or ground outside your home and
to install both supply and return concentrate it for use inside. Heat
registers in the basement rooms. pumps do double duty as a central air
• Be sure a well-sealed vapor conditioner. They can also cool your
barrier exists on the outside of home by collecting the heat inside
the insulation on cooling ducts to your house and effectively pumping
prevent moisture buildup. it outside. A heat pump can trim the
• When doing ductwork, be sure to amount of electricity you use for
get professional help. Changes and heating by as much as 30% to 40%.
repairs to a duct system should Heat Pump Tips
always be performed by a qualified • Do not set back the heat pump’s
professional. thermostat manually if it causes the
• Ducts that don’t work properly electric resistance heating to come
can create serious, life-threatening on. This type of heating, which is
carbon monoxide (CO) problems in often used as a backup to the heat
the home. Install a CO monitor to pump, is more expensive.
alert you to harmful CO levels if you
• Clean or change filters once a month
have a fuel-burning furnace, stove
or as needed, and maintain the
or other appliance, or an attached
system according to manufacturer’s
garage.
instructions.
• For new construction, consider
placing ducts in conditioned $ Long-Term Savings Tip
space—space that is heated and • If you use electricity to heat your
cooled—instead of running ducts home and live in a moderate climate,
through unconditioned areas like consider installing an energy-
the crawlspace or attic, which is less efficient heat pump system.
efficient.
Solar Heating and Cooling
$ Long-Term Savings Tip Using passive solar design techniques
• You can lose up to 60% of your to heat and cool your home can be
heated air before it reaches the both environmentally friendly and
register if your ducts aren’t cost effective. Passive solar heating
insulated and they travel through techniques include placing larger,
unheated spaces such as the attic insulated windows on south-facing
or crawlspace. Get a qualified walls and locating thermal mass, such
professional to help you insulate as a concrete slab floor or a heat-
and repair ducts.
absorbing wall, close to the windows.
Heat Pumps In many cases, your heating costs
Heat pumps are the most efficient could be more than 50% lower than
Heating and Cooling
form of electric heating in moderate the cost of heating the same house that
climates, providing three times more does not include passive solar design.
heating than the equivalent amount Passive solar design can also help
of energy they consume in electricity. reduce your cooling costs. Passive
There are three types of heat pumps: solar cooling techniques include
air-to-air, water source, and ground carefully designed overhangs,
source.
12
windows with reflective coatings, and open the nearest window slightly—
reflective coatings on exterior walls and approximately 1 inch—and close
the roof. doors leading into the room. Lower
A passive solar house requires careful the thermostat setting to between
design and site orientation, which 50° and 55°F.
depend on the local climate. So, if you • Install tempered glass doors and a
are considering passive solar design for heat-air exchange system that blows
new construction or a major remodeling, warmed air back into the room.
you should consult an architect familiar • Check the seal on the flue damper
with passive solar techniques. and make it as snug as possible.
Solar Tips • Add caulking around the fireplace
• Keep all south-facing glass clean. hearth.
• Make sure that objects do not block • Use grates made of C-shaped metal
the sunlight shining on concrete slab tubes to draw cool room air into the
floors or heat-absorbing walls. fireplace and circulate warm air back
into the room.
Fireplaces
When you cozy up next to a crackling Natural Gas and Oil Heating
fire on a cold winter day, you probably Systems
don’t realize that your fireplace is one If you plan to buy a new heating
of the most inefficient heat sources you system, ask your local utility or state
can possibly use. It literally sends your energy office for information about
energy dollars right up the chimney the latest technologies available to
along with volumes of warm air. A consumers. They can advise you about
roaring fire can exhaust as much as more efficient systems on the market
24,000 cubic feet of air per hour to the today. For example, many newer
outside, which must be replaced by models incorporate designs for burners
cold air coming into the house from and heat exchangers that result in
outside. Your heating system must warm higher efficiencies during operation and
up this air, which is then exhausted reduce heat loss when the equipment
through your chimney. If you use your is off. Consider a sealed combustion
conventional fireplace while your central furnace; they are both safer and more
heating system is on, these tips can help efficient. Check the shopping guide in
reduce energy losses. the back of this booklet for additional
information on how to understand
Fireplace Tips heating system ratings.
• If you never use your fireplace,
plug and seal the chimney flue. $ Long-Term Savings Tip
• Keep your fireplace damper closed • Install a new energy-efficient
furnace to save money over the long
Heating and Cooling
13
Air Conditioners Install a Carbon Monoxide Detector
It might surprise you to know that
buying a bigger room air-conditioning Carbon monoxide (CO) detectors are
unit won’t necessarily make you feel highly recommended in homes with
more comfortable during the hot fuel-burning appliances, such as natural
summer months. In fact, a room air gas furnaces, stoves, ovens, and water
heaters, and fuel-burning space heaters.
conditioner that’s too big for the area
An alarm signals homeowners if CO
it is supposed to cool will perform less reaches potentially dangerous levels.
efficiently and less effectively than
a smaller, properly sized unit. This
is because room units work better if • Consider using an interior fan in
they run for relatively long periods conjunction with your window air
of time than if they are continually conditioner to spread the cooled air
more effectively through your home
switching off and on. Longer run times
without greatly increasing your power
allow air conditioners to maintain a
use.
more constant room temperature and
remove excess humidity. • Don’t place lamps or TV sets near
your air-conditioning thermostat.
Sizing is equally important for central The thermostat senses heat from
air-conditioning systems, which these appliances, which can cause
need to be sized by professionals. the air conditioner to run longer than
If you have a central air system in necessary.
your home, set the fan to shut off
• Plant trees or shrubs to shade air
at the same time as the cooling unit
conditioning units but not to block
(compressor). In other words, don’t
the airflow. Place your room air
use the system’s central fan to provide
conditioner on the north side of the
circulation, but instead use circulating
house. A unit operating in the shade
fans in individual rooms.
uses as much as 10% less electricity
Cooling Tips than the same one operating in the sun.
• Whole-house fans help cool your • Keep in mind that insulation and
home by pulling cool air through sealing air leaks will help your energy
the house and exhausting warm air performance in the summertime by
through the attic. They are effective keeping the cool air inside.
when operated at night and when the
outside air is cooler than the inside. $ Long-Term Savings Tips
• If your air conditioner is old, consider
• Set your thermostat as high as purchasing a new, energy-efficient
comfortably possible in the summer. model. You could save up to 50% on
The less difference between the your utility bill for cooling. Look for
indoor and outdoor temperatures, the ENERGY STAR and EnergyGuide
the lower your overall cooling bill labels. The shopping guide in the back
Heating and Cooling
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Landscaping
Landscaping is a natural and beautiful
way to keep your home cool in summer
15
Water Heating
W ater heating is the third largest
energy expense in your home.
It typically accounts for about
13% of your utility bill. There are
four ways to cut your water heating
bills: use less hot water, turn down
the thermostat on your water heater,
insulate your water heater, or buy a
new, more efficient model.
water heater.
have built-in heat traps.
• If you are in the market for a new
• Drain a quart of water from your
dishwasher or clothes washer,
water tank every 3 months to remove
consider buying an efficient,
sediment that impedes heat transfer
16
and lowers the efficiency of your Average Hot Water Use
heater. The type of water tank you
have determines the steps to take, so Activity Gallons per Use
follow the manufacturer’s advice. Clothes washing 32
• Although most water heaters last Showering 20
10–15 years, it’s best to start shopping
Bathing 20
for a new one if yours is more than
7 years old. Doing some research Automatic 12
before your heater fails will enable dishwashing
you to select one that most Preparing food 5
appropriately meets your needs. Hand dishwashing 4
Source: ACEEE
$ Long-Term Savings Tips
• Buy a new energy-efficient water
heater. While it may cost more initially More than 1.5 million homes and
than a standard water heater, the businesses in the United States
energy savings will continue during have invested in solar water heating
the lifetime of the appliance. Look for systems, and surveys indicate
the EnergyGuide label. The American thhat more than 94% of these
Council for an Energy-Efficient customers consider the systems
Economy lists the energy performance a good investment. Solar water
of the most energy-efficient water heating systems are also good for
heaters on its web site: www.aceee.org. the environment. Solar water heaters
avoid the harmful greenhouse gas
• Consider installing a drain water waste
emissions associated with electricity
heat recovery system. A recent DOE
production. During a 20-year period,
study showed energy savings of 25%
one solar water heater can avoid
to about 30% for water heating using
more than 50 tons of carbon dioxide
such a system.
emissions. When shopping for a solar
• Consider natural gas on-demand or water heater, look for systems certified
tankless water heaters. Researchers by the Solar Rating and Certification
have found savings can be up to 30% Corporation or the Florida Solar
compared with a standard natural gas Energy Center.
storage tank water heater.
$ Long-Term Savings Tip
• Heat pump water heaters are very
• Visit the Database of State Incentives
economical in some areas.
for Renewable Energy web site
(www.dsireusa.org) to see if you
Solar Water Heaters might qualify for tax credits or
If you heat water with electricity, rebates for buying a solar water
have high electric rates, and have an heater.
unshaded, south-facing location (such
as a roof) on your property, consider
installing a solar water heater. The
Water Heating
17
Windows
W indows can be one of your
home’s most attractive features.
Windows provide views,
winter months. Remember, the plastic
must be sealed tightly to the frame to
help reduce infiltration.
daylighting, ventilation, and solar • Install tight-fitting, insulating window
heating in the winter. Unfortunately, shades on windows that feel drafty
they can also account for 10% to after weatherizing.
25% of your heating bill. During the • Close your curtains and shades at
summer, your air conditioner must night; open them during the day.
work harder to cool hot air from sunny
• Keep windows on the south side of your
windows. Install ENERGY STAR
house clean to let in the winter sun.
windows and use curtains and shade to
give your air conditioner and energy • Install exterior or interior storm
bill a break. If you live in the Sun Belt, windows; storm windows can reduce
look into new solar control spectrally heat loss through the windows by 25%
selective windows, which can cut the to 50%. Storm windows should have
cooling load by 10% to 15%. weatherstripping at all movable joints;
be made of strong, durable materials;
If your home has single-pane windows, and have interlocking or overlapping
as almost half of U.S. homes do, joints. Low-e storm windows save
consider replacing them. New double- even more energy.
pane windows with high-performance
glass (e.g., low-e or spectrally
selective) are available on the market.
In colder climates, select windows that
are gas filled with low emissivity
(low-e) coatings on the glass to reduce
heat loss. In warmer climates, select
windows with spectrally selective
coatings to reduce heat gain. If you are
building a new home, you can offset
some of the cost of installing more
efficient windows because they
allow you to buy smaller, less
expensive heating and cooling
equipment. 02477413m
Cold-Climate Windows Keep Heat In
If you decide not to replace your Double-pane windows with low-e coating on the
windows, the simpler, less costly glass reflect heat back into the room during the
measures listed below can improve winter months.
their performance.
• Repair and weatherize your current
storm windows, if necessary.
Cold-Climate Window Tips
• You can use a heavy-duty, clear Warm-Climate Window Tips
Windows
18
Shopping Tips for Windows
• Look for the ENERGY STAR and
EnergyGuide labels.
• When you’re shopping for new
windows, look for the National
Fenestration Rating Council label;
it means the window’s performance
is certified.
• Remember, the lower the U-value,
the better the insulation. In colder
climates, a U-value of 0.35 or below
is recommended. These windows
have at least double glazing and a
low-e coating.
Warm-Climate Windows Keep Heat Out 02477414m• In warm climates, where
In the summertime, the sun shining through summertime heat gain is the main
your windows heats up the room. Windows with concern, look for windows with
spectrally selective coatings on the glass reflect double glazing and spectrally
some of the sunlight, keeping your rooms cooler. selective coatings that reduce heat
gain.
• Close curtains on south- and west- • Select windows with air leakage
facing windows during the day. ratings of 0.3 cubic feet per minute
• Install awnings on south- and west- or less.
facing windows. • In temperate climates with both
• Apply sun-control or other reflective heating and cooling seasons, select
films on south-facing windows to windows with both low U-values
reduce solar gain. and low solar heat gain coefficiency
(SHGC) to maximize energy
$ Long-Term Savings Tip benefits.
• Installing new, high-performance
windows will improve your home’s • Remember that new windows must
energy performance. While it may be installed correctly to avoid air
take many years for new windows to leaks around the frame. Look for
pay off in energy savings, the benefits a reputable, qualified installer.
of added comfort and improved
aesthetics and functionality may make
the investment worth it to you. Today,
many new window technologies are
available that are worth considering.
Glazing materials (the glass part
of the window) now come with a
variety of selective coatings and
other features; frames are available in
aluminum, wood, vinyl, fiberglass, or
Windows
more than incandescent bulbs, they privacy. Also, decorate with lighter
pay for themselves by saving energy colors that reflect daylight.
over their lifetime. CFL fixtures are
20
Save Energy and More 02477418m
Halogen lamps generate excessive heat
that can be a fire hazard. Use compact
fluorescent lights in your torchieres, or better
yet, buy a torchiere designed for compact
fluorescent bulbs.
21
Appliances and 28 lists some of the major appliances
that carry the ENERGY STAR label and
A
provides helpful information on what to
ppliances account for about look for when shopping for an appliance.
20% of your household’s energy
consumption, with refrigerators, To help you figure out whether an
clothes washers, and clothes dryers at appliance is energy efficient, the federal
the top of the consumption list. government requires most appliances
to display the bright yellow and black
When you’re shopping for appliances, EnergyGuide label. Although these
think of two price tags. The first one labels will not tell you which appliance
covers the purchase price—think of is the most efficient, they will tell you
it as a down payment. The second the annual energy consumption and
price tag is the cost of operating the operating cost for each appliance so
appliance during its lifetime. You’ll be you can compare them yourself. The
paying on that second price tag every American Council for an Energy-
month with your utility bill for the Efficient Economy lists the energy
next 10 to 20 years, depending on the performance of top-rated energy-
appliance. Refrigerators last an average saving appliances on its web site:
of 13 years; room air conditioners and www.aceee.org.
clothes washers, about 11 years each;
dishwashers about 9 years. Dishwashers
Most of the energy used by a dishwasher
When you do have to shop for a new is for water heating. The EnergyGuide
appliance, look for the ENERGY label estimates how much power is
STAR label. ENERGY STAR products needed per year to run the appliance and
usually exceed minimum federal to heat the water based on the yearly cost
standards by a substantial amount. The of natural gas and electric water heating.
appliance shopping guide on pages 27
Appliances
22
• Let your dishes air dry; if you don’t
What’s a kilowatt?
have an automatic air-dry switch,
When you use electricity to cook a pot of turn off the control knob after the
rice for 1 hour, you use 1000 watt-hours of final rinse and prop the door open a
electricity! One thousand watt-hours equals little so the dishes will dry faster.
1 kilowatt-hour, or 1 kWh. Your utility bill
usually shows what you are charged for $ Long-Term Savings Tips
the kilowatt-hours you use. The average • When shopping for a new
residential rate is 8.3 cents per kWh. A typical
dishwasher, look for the ENERGY
U.S. household consumes about 11,000 kWh
STAR label to find a dishwasher that
per year, costing an average of $900 annually.
uses less water and 25% less energy
Dishwasher Tips than required by federal standards.
• Check the manual that came with your
dishwasher for the manufacturer’s Refrigerators
recommendations on water The EnergyGuide label on new
temperature; many have internal refrigerators will tell you how much
heating elements that allow you to electricity in kilowatt-hours (kWh) a
set the water heater in your home particular model uses in one year. The
to a lower temperature (120°F). smaller the number, the less energy
• Scrape, don’t rinse, off large the refrigerator uses and the less it
food pieces and bones. Soaking will cost you to operate. In addition
or prewashing is generally only to the EnergyGuide label, don’t forget
recommended in cases of burned-on to look for the ENERGY STAR label.
or dried-on food. A new refrigerator with an ENERGY
• Be sure your dishwasher is full, but STAR label uses at least 15% less
not overloaded, when you run it. energy than required by current
• Don’t use the “rinse hold” on your federal standards and 40% less energy
machine for just a few soiled dishes. than the conventional models sold in
It uses 3 to 7 gallons of hot water each 2001.
time you use it.
23
Refrigerator/Freezer Energy Tips • Cover liquids and wrap foods stored
• Look for a refrigerator with in the refrigerator. Uncovered foods
automatic moisture control. release moisture and make the
Models with this feature have been compressor work harder.
engineered to prevent moisture $ Long-Term Savings Tip
accumulation on the cabinet exterior • Look for the ENERGY STAR when
without the addition of a heater. buying a new refrigerator. Select
This is not the same thing as an a new refrigerator that is the right
“anti-sweat” heater. Models with an size for your household. Top freezer
anti-sweat heater will consume 5% models are more energy efficient than
to 10% more energy than models side-by-side models. Features like
without this feature. icemakers and water dispensers, while
• Don’t keep your refrigerator or convenient, will increase energy use.
freezer too cold. Recommended
temperatures are 37° to 40°F for
the fresh food compartment of the
refrigerator and 5°F for the freezer
section. If you have a separate
freezer for long-term storage, it
should be kept at 0°F.
• To check refrigerator temperature,
place an appliance thermometer in
a glass of water in the center of the
refrigerator. Read it after 24 hours.
To check the freezer temperature,
place a thermometer between frozen
packages. Read it after 24 hours.
• Regularly defrost manual-defrost
refrigerators and freezers; frost
buildup decreases the energy
efficiency of the unit. Don’t allow
frost to build up more than one-
quarter of an inch.
• Make sure your refrigerator door
seals are airtight. Test them by
closing the door over a piece of
paper or a dollar bill so it is half
in and half out of the refrigerator.
If you can pull the paper or bill
out easily, the latch may need
adjustment, the seal may need
replacing, or you might consider
02477422m
buying a new unit. ENERGY STAR Refrigerators Are Cool!
Appliances
24
Other Energy-Saving Kitchen Tips will generally do a good job of
• Be sure to place the faucet lever on the cleaning your clothes. Switching your
kitchen sink in the cold position when temperature setting from hot to warm
using small amounts of water; placing can cut a load’s energy use in half.
the lever in the hot position uses
energy to heat the water even though it Laundry Tips
may never reach the faucet. • Wash your clothes in cold water
using cold-water detergents
• If you need to purchase a natural gas whenever possible.
oven or range, look for one with an
automatic, electric ignition system. • Wash and dry full loads. If you
An electric ignition saves natural gas are washing a small load, use the
because a pilot light is not burning appropriate water-level setting.
continuously. • Dry towels and heavier cottons in
• In natural gas appliances, look for a separate load from lighter-weight
blue flames; yellow flames indicate clothes.
the gas is burning inefficiently and an • Don’t over-dry your clothes. If your
adjustment may be needed. Consult the machine has a moisture sensor, use it.
manufacturer or your local utility.
• Clean the lint filter in the dryer
• Keep range-top burners and reflectors after every load to improve air
clean; they will reflect the heat better, circulation.
and you will save energy.
• Use the cool-down cycle to allow
• Use a covered kettle or pan to boil the clothes to finish drying with the
water; it’s faster and it uses less energy. residual heat in the dryer.
• Match the size of the pan to the heating • Periodically inspect your dryer vent
element. to ensure it is not blocked. This will
• Use small electric pans or toaster ovens save energy and may prevent a fire.
for small meals rather than your large Manufacturers recommend using
stove or oven. A toaster oven uses a rigid venting material, not plastic
third to half as much energy as a full- vents that may collapse and cause
sized oven. blockages.
• Use pressure cookers and microwave • Consider air-drying clothes on
ovens whenever it is convenient clothes lines or drying racks. Air-
to do so. They will save energy by drying is recommended by clothing
significantly reducing cooking time. manufacturers for some fabrics.
25
How Much Electricity Do Appliances Use?
This chart shows how much energy a typical appliance uses per year and its corresponding cost
based on national averages. For example, a refrigerator uses almost five times the electricity the
average television uses. Visit www.energysavers.gov for instructions on calculating the electrical
use of your appliances.
26
Major Appliance
Shopping Guide
This easy-to-read guide may help you
understand how appliances are rated for
efficiency, what the ratings mean, and what to
look for while shopping for new appliances.
Air-Source Look for the EnergyGuide label that If you live in a cool climate, look for a heat
Heat Pumps lists the SEER (Seasonal Energy pump with a high HSPF. ENERGY STAR heat
Efficiency Ratio) and HSPF (Heating pumps are about 20% more efficient than
Seasonal Performance Factor) for heat standard models. Contact a professional for
pumps. The SEER measures the energy advice on purchasing a heat pump.
efficiency during the cooling season
and HSPF measures the efficiency
during the heating season. The ENERGY
STAR minimum efficiency level is
13 SEER or higher.
Central Air Look for the EnergyGuide label with Air conditioners that bear the ENERGY
Conditioners a SEER for central air conditioners. STAR label may be 25% more efficient than
The ENERGY STAR minimum efficiency standard models. Contact a professional for
level is 13 SEER. advice on sizing a central air system.
Major Appliances Shopping Guide
Room Air Look for the EnergyGuide label with an What size to buy?
Conditioners EER (Energy Efficiency Ratio) for room Area in Btu/ Two major factors
air conditioners. The higher the EER, square feet hour should guide your
the more efficient the unit is. ENERGY purchase: correct
STAR units are among the most energy- 100 to 150 5,000 size and energy
efficient products. 150 to 250 6,000 efficiency. If the
250 to 350 7,000 room is very sunny,
350 to 450 9,000 increase capacity
400 to 450 10,000 by 10%. If the unit
450 to 550 12,000 is for a kitchen,
550 to 700 14,000 increase the
700 to 1,000 18,000 capacity by 4,000
Btu per hour.
27
Appliances Rating Special Considerations
Programmable For minimum ENERGY STAR efficiency, Look for a the ENERGY STAR label and
Thermostats thermostats should have at least two a thermostat that allows you to easily
programs, four temperature settings use two separate programs, one that
each, a hold feature that allows users can be programmed to reach the desired
to temporarily override settings, and the temperature at a specific time, and a
ability to maintain room temperature hold feature that temporarily overrides
within 2ºF of desired temperature. the setting without deleting the preset
programs.
Water Heaters Look for the EnergyGuide label that tells If you typically need a lot of hot water at
how much energy the water heater once, the FHR will be important to you.
uses in one year. Also, look for the FHR Sizing is important—call your local utility
(first hour rating) of the water heater, for advice.
which measures the maximum hot
water the heater will deliver in the first
hour of use.
Windows Look for the NFRC (National Look at the Climate Region Map on the
Fenestration Rating Council) label that ENERGY STAR label to be sure that the
provides U-values and SHGC (solar heat window, door, or skylight you have selected
gain coefficient) values. The lower the is appropriate for where you live.
U-value, the better the insulation.
Refrigerators Look for the EnergyGuide label that Look for energy-efficient refrigerators and
and Freezers tells how much electricity, in kWh, the freezers. Refrigerators with freezers on top
refrigerator will use in one year. The are more efficient than those with freezers
smaller the number, the less energy it on the side. Also look for heavy door hinges
uses. ENERGY STAR refrigerators use at that create a good door seal.
least 15% less energy than required by
federal standards.
Dishwashers Look for the EnergyGuide label that Look for features that will reduce water
tells how much electricity, in kWh, the use, such as booster heaters and smart
dishwasher will use in one year. The controls. Ask how many gallons of water
smaller the number, the less energy it the dishwasher uses during different
uses. ENERGY STAR dishwashers use at cycles. Dishwashers that use the least
Major Appliances Shopping Guide
least 25% less energy than required by amount of water will cost the least to
federal standards. operate.
Clothes Look for the EnergyGuide label that Look for the following design features that
Washers tells how much electricity, in kWh, the help clothes washers cut water usage:
clothes washer will use in one year. The water level controls, “suds-saver” features,
smaller the number, the less energy is spin cycle adjustments, and large capacity.
uses. ENERGY STAR clothes washers For double the efficiency, buy an ENERGY
use less than 50% of the energy used STAR unit.
by standard washers.
28
Home Office and Home Electronics
I n the U.S., nearly 4.2 million people
worked from home in 2000, up from
3.4 million in 1990. Working from
Shop for ENERGY STAR
Products for Offices
home saves energy and time by cutting • Computers
out the commute, but it may increase • Copiers
your home energy bills a lot unless you • Fax Machines
use energy-saving office equipment. • Monitors
• Multifunction Devices
ENERGY STAR office equipment is
widely available: it provides users with (fax, scanner, copier)
dramatic savings, as much as 90% • Printers
savings for some products. Overall, • Scanners
ENERGY STAR office products use
about half the electricity of standard
equipment. Along with saving energy and fax machines—and turning
directly, this equipment can reduce off machines when they are not in
air-conditioning loads, noise from fans use can result in enormous energy
and transformers, and electromagnetic savings.
field emissions from monitors. • An ENERGY STAR computer
uses 70% less electricity than
Home Office Tips computers without this designation.
• Selecting energy-efficient office If left inactive, ENERGY STAR
equipment—personal computers computers enter a low-power mode
(PCs), monitors, copiers, printers, and use 15 watts or less.
29
Spending a large portion of time
in low-power mode not only saves
Shop for ENERGY STAR
energy, but helps equipment run Home Electronics
cooler and last longer. • Cordless Phones
• Televisions
• To maximize savings with a laptop,
put the AC adapter on a power strip • VCRs and DVD Players
that can be turned off (or will turn • Combination Units (TV/VCR;
off automatically); the transformer TV/DVD)
in the AC adapter draws power • Home Audio
continuously, even when the laptop • Set-Top Boxes
is not plugged into the adapter.
• Common misconceptions sometimes kitchen appliances. In the average
account for the failure to turn off home, 75% of the electricity used to
equipment. Many people believe power home electronics is consumed
that equipment lasts longer if it is while the products are turned off.
never turned off. This incorrect This can be avoided by unplugging
perception carries over from the the appliance or using a power strip
days of older mainframe computers. and using the switch on the power strip
• ENERGY STAR computers and to cut all power to the appliance.
monitors save energy only when • Unplug battery chargers when the
the power management features batteries are fully charged or the
are activated, so make sure power chargers are not in use.
management is activated on your • Studies have shown that using
computer. rechargeable batteries for products
• There is a common misconception like cordless phones and PDAs is
that screen savers reduce energy use more cost effective than throwaway
by monitors; they do not. Automatic batteries. If you must use throwaways,
switching to sleep mode or manually check with your trash removal
turning monitors off is always the company about safe disposal options.
better energy-saving strategy.
30
Driving and Car Maintenance
T ransportation accounts for 66% of
U.S. oil use—mainly in the form of
gasoline. Luckily, there are plenty of
Car Maintenance Tips
• Use the grade of motor oil
recommended by your car’s
ways to improve gas mileage. manufacturer. Using a different
motor oil can lower your gasoline
Driving Tips
mileage by 1% to 2%.
• Idling gets you 0 miles per gallon.
The best way to warm up a vehicle is • Keep tires properly inflated and
to drive it. No more than 30 seconds aligned to improve your gasoline
of idling on winter days is needed. mileage by around 3.3%.
Anything more simply wastes fuel • Get regular engine tune-ups and car
and increases emissions. maintenance checks to avoid fuel
• Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid economy problems due to worn
acceleration, and hard braking) spark plugs, dragging brakes, low
wastes gas. It can lower your transmission fluid, or transmission
highway gas mileage 33% and problems.
city mileage 5%. • Replace clogged air filters to
• Avoid high speeds. Driving 75 mph, improve gas mileage by as much
rather than 65 mph, could cut your as 10% and protect your engine.
fuel economy by 15%. • Combine errands into one trip.
• When you use overdrive gearing, Several short trips, each one taken
your car’s engine speed goes down. from a cold start, can use twice as
This saves gas and reduces wear. much fuel as one trip covering
the same distance when
• Use air conditioning
the engine is warm.
only when necessary.
$ Long-Term
• Clear out your
Savings Tip
car; extra weight
• Consider buying a
decreases gas mileage.
highly fuel-efficient
• Reduce drag by vehicle. A fuel-
Driving and Car Maintenance
31
Renewable Energy
Y ou have many options for using
renewable energy at home—from
solar-powered outdoor lights to buying
want to consider generating your
own electricity using PV cells. New
products are available that integrate
renewable energy from your utility PV cells with the roof, making them
to even producing solar electricity at much less visible than older systems.
home with photovoltaic (PV) cells.
If the following conditions apply, you
Renewable Energy Tips might want to do more research to see
• A new home provides the best if investing in PV is right for you:
opportunity for designing and • Your site has adequate solar resources.
orienting the home to take advantage
of the sun’s rays. A well-oriented • A grid connection is not available in
home admits low-angle winter sun your area or can be made only through
to reduce heating bills and rejects an expensive power line extension.
overhead summer sun to reduce
cooling bills. See the Heating and
Cooling section for more about using
passive solar energy in your home.
• Many U.S. consumers buy electricity
made from renewable energy sources
like the sun, wind, water, plants, and
Earth’s internal heat. This power is
sometimes called “green power.”
Buying green power from the utility
is one of the easiest ways to use
renewable energy without having to
invest in equipment or take on extra
maintenance.
• Another use of solar power is for
heating water. Solar water heating is
covered in the Water Heating section. Solar-Powered Outdoor Lighting
If you have a swimming pool or hot
tub, you can use solar power to cut • You want to gain energy independence
pool heating costs. Most solar pool from your power provider.
heating systems are cost competitive • You are willing to pay more up front
with conventional systems. And to reduce the environmental impact of
solar pool systems have very low your electricity use.
operating costs. It’s actually the most
• Your power provider will connect your
cost-effective use of solar energy.
Renewable Energy
32
References
American Council for an Energy-Efficient ENERGY STAR®
Economy, The Most Efficient Appliances www.energystar.gov
www.aceee.org/consumerguide/mostenef.htm
Home Energy Magazine
Census Bureau Press Release, www.homeenergy.org
Information on Home Workers
October 20, 2004. CB04-183. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Home Energy Saver
DOE Building America hes.lbl.gov
www.BuildingAmerica.gov
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
DOE Building Technologies Program CFL Downlights Project
www.buildings.gov www.pnl.gov/CFLdownlights
DOE Building Technologies Program, Rocky Mountain Institute
2005 Buildings Energy Databook Home Energy Briefs
buildingsdatabook.eere.energy.gov/ www.rmi.org
DOE Consumer Guide to Energy Efficiency and Wilson, Alex; Thorne, Jennifer; Morrill, John.
Renewable Energy Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings,
www.eere.energy.gov/consumerinfo/ 8th Edition. 2003. Washington, D.C.: ACEEE
DOE/EPA Fuel Economy Guide
www.fueleconomy.gov
DOE Energy Information Administration
Residential Energy Consumption Survey 2001
www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/recs/contents.html
33
www.energysavers.gov
Visit www.eere.energy.gov/consumers/tips/
to order booklets, download the PDF, and view the booklet online.
A Strong Energy Portfolio for a Strong America For more information contact:
Energy efficiency and clean, renewable energy will mean a EERE Information Center
stronger economy, a cleaner environment, and greater energy 1-877-EERE-INF (1-877-337-3463)
independence for America. Working with a wide array of state, www.eere.energy.gov
community, industry, and university partners, the U.S. Department
of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
invests in a diverse portfolio of energy technologies.
January 2006
Printed with renewable-source ink on paper containing at least 50% wastepaper,
including 10% postconsumer waste. Inside illustrations © 1998 Greening America
Printing paid for by the partner organization identified on the front cover.