Reducing Energy Use in the Built Environment

Reducing Energy Usein the Built Environment Compiled to help residents cost-effectively reduce residential energy use, save money and increase home comfort. • East Central Vermont Resident’s Guide and Resources to Reducing Home Energy Use • Developed by • Sustainable Energy Resource Group A Vibrant, Healthy and Equitable Region.

Why Residential Building Efficiency? • Vermont has some of the oldest and least efficient housing stock in the country

Why Residential Building Efficiency? • More than 60% of Vermonters use propane or oil to heat homes • Price of oil has increased more than 400% since 1999 • Price of propane has increased over 25% in past five years (over 10% in last year alone)

The Guide Includes eight sections relating to home energy use: • Building Envelope • Home Heating • Home Cooling • Ventilation & Air Distribution • Lighting • Appliances & Electronics • Water Heating & Water Use Conservation • Food

Resources: The Guide also contains: • List of energy-saving programs and incentives • Glossary of common terms • Links to organizations, information, contacts • Procedures and guidelines • Tips such as “you can save about 1% on your heating fuel use for each degree your thermostat is set back 8 hours a day throughout the winter”

Section 1: Building Envelope Home air-sealing and insulation are two of the most cost-effective energy-saving options available to homeowners • In the average home, small openings in the “shell” of the house account for nearly 30% of total heat loss • Over 45% of all heat loss in homes is due to heat moving through the walls, roof and floor through conductive heat loss which insulation helps reduce A Vibrant, Healthy and Equitable Region.

Section 1: Building Envelope • Some measures can be done by homeowners but many of biggest opportunities will require professional help • Trained and certified professional Home Performance with Energy Star (HPwES) contractors study the home as a whole system, performing tests that address building air leakage, heating system efficiency, indoor air quality, and construction flaws that result in high energy bills while identifying means of improvement • HPwES professionals can be found through a national fee-for-service program by DOE and administered by Efficiency Vermont in Vermont

Section 2: Home Heating • Home heating systems come in various designs, with different efficiency ratings, using various fuels • Two of most common fuels in Vermont (propane and oil) are also most expensive and continue to dramatically rise in cost • Many conservation steps can be taken before making changes to heating system

Section 3: Home Cooling • Preventing heat build-up in home rather than cooling it using air conditioning is much cheaper and more energy-efficient • Consider conservation strategies and weatherizing before cooling systems

Section 4: Ventilation and Air Distribution For healthy indoor air quality, homes must exchange about 1/3 of their air for every hour • Lack of fresh air can lead to health problems due to indoor air pollutants such as excess moisture, radon, combustion by-products, and volatile organic compounds • Air tight homes are ideally properly ventilated with mechanical ventilation to ensure safety as well as efficiency

Section 5: Lighting • In the average American home, lighting accounts for 5-10% of total energy use • Traditional incandescent bulbs convert only 10% of electricity to useable light • Lighting is a great opportunity to save energy and money • Maximizing natural lighting and utilizing lighting controls further helps ensure additional lighting is only used when needed

Section 6: Appliances and Electronics • Appliances and electronics account for about 13% and 4% of home’s energy costs respectively • Buying efficient appliances and using smart power strips that eliminate “vampire” loads will reduce energy use

Section 7: Water Heating and Water-Use Conservation • Water heating is third-largest energy user in home at roughly 14% of home’s energy costs after heating and cooling home • There are several conservation strategies to reduce home water consumption • Careful analysis of different types of water heaters and associated fuels as well as considering life-cycle costs of system can lead to saving money and energy

Section 8: Food • A huge amount of energy is imbedded in growing, harvesting, processing and transporting our food • Buying local or growing your own food reduces these hidden energy costs • Using efficient appliances and equipment can help reduce food-associated energy use

Questions? • This Guide was developed to help Upper Valley residents cost-effectively reduce residential energy use, save money and increase home comfort • Although target is residential much of the included information is relevant and beneficial to commercial, municipal and community entities

Thank you! • The online guide is available at: • http://ecvermont.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/ECV-Home-Energy-Guide-Final.pdf • Sustainable Energy Resource Group • www.info-serg.org • East Central Vermont: What we want • http://ecvermont.org/

Reducing Energy Use in the Built Environment