Many Oregonians were shocked to see their electricity bills in January after a cold December. Now, February is bringing chilling wind and snow.
Becky Stanfield of the Natural Resources Defense Council offers these reminders on how to cut energy waste and save money.
Heating accounts for a 40 percent of the average home energy use, she says, so consumers can quickly see the effects of energy waste right away on their heating bills.
Although relatively simple fixes in managing temperature, changing filters and sealing air gaps can produce measurable results, the discussion of winter energy efficiency at home has to begin with the furnace.
The first step is to look for units with an Energy Star label to improve efficiency and to lower heating bills.
These high-efficiency furnaces have a rating of at least 90 AFUE or higher. AFUE stands for annual fuel utilization efficiency and a 90 AFUE furnace means that the furnace is 90 percent efficient. That is, for 100 units of energy input, the furnace produces 90 units of heat output.
If furnace replacement isn’t an option, one small task will immediately improve its performance – change the filter.
Check it every month, especially during heavy use months in winter and summer, and if it looks dirty, replace it. A dirty filter slows the air flow and makes the system work harder, wasting energy.
Here are some other easy ways to cut energy waste in winter:
Use a programmable thermostat. These devices cycle off your heating system when no one is home and dial back up before the occupants return. It’s an investment up front, around $100, but over the years, this simple tool can carry much of the energy-efficiency load in your home, cutting heating and cooling costs by 20 to 30 percent.
The thermostat settings should reflect the occupants’ usual schedule but if it varies, the settings can be overridden for a day without losing them.
Regulate humidity. The more humidity in a room, the warmer it feels. A room temperature of 70 degrees combined with humidity of 10 percent feels only like 64 degrees but 80 percent humidity makes it feel like 71.
Use a humidifier to fight dry air, use less heat and still feel warm. But don’t go overboard: Dust mites, mold and mildew thrive in humidity. Be sure to have an indoor humidity gauge, and keep the range between 30 percent and 40 percent. Follow the humidifier’s cleaning instructions to deter mold and bacteria growth.
Plug the gaps. Make sure you’ve fixed any big air leaks in your house and duct system. Cutting heat loss may mean you can buy a smaller new furnace, too. Check for drafts around your house and seal them with caulk or putty.
Expanding foam sealant can fill larger areas protected from moisture and sunlight. Add weather-stripping around the edges of doors. Attic insulation can be installed in a few hours with batts or rolls. Insulate heating ducts. Winter is a good time for an energy audit.
Study your windows. About a third of a home’s total heat loss usually comes through windows and doors. You don’t have to replace windows; you can seal and insulate around them, then add heavier drapes.
But cold days can also prod you to do the homework necessary to plan to replace your old windows. Look for National Fenestration Rating Council-rated units. The U-factor measures how much heat can escape. The solar-heat gain coefficient rating measures how much heat from sunshine is transmitted through a window.
Mind the water heater. It’s hard to remember that water heaters need attention, too. Dialing back the setting from 140 degrees to 120 degrees will save money and still give you hot water.
If you’re going to be away for a few days, lower the setting even more. But if it’s time to replace the water heater, and you have gas heat, it’s worth looking at Energy Star-rated appliances as they can trim energy use by 50 percent.
The Energy Star site lists a lot of efficient options, including whole-home tankless heaters and heat-pump options. More ideas about appliances are available at NRDC’s Smarter Living page.