Become an Energy Super Hero!

1. Become an Energy Super Hero! Part 1: Zap Electricity Consumption

2. Workshop Outline Introductions Presentation and Discussion Overview of Efficiency Nova Scotia Programs Energy Tools – Available at Your Library! Energy Exploration Discussion/Opportunities for your place Workshop Evaluation

3. Presentation Outline • Improving building envelope and reducing drafts • Efficiency heating and cooling • Reducing lighting and water use • Using appliances efficiently

4. Energy Saving Actions One-time changes Example: changing a light bulb, motor or appliance to be more efficient. Repetitive practice Example: turning off equipment to conserve energy.

5. Improving Building Envelope BUILDING ENVELOPE : the exterior of your building that protects the interior from the elements. This includes the walls, roof and windows. Air leakage in the building envelope can be responsible for up to 45% of overall heat loss.

6. Identify and seal drafts in windows, doors, electrical outlets, light switches, on exterior walls, pipe entry points, etc... Improving the building envelope

7. Other places to look for drafts: • Chimneys • Ceiling fans and light fixtures • Pipes and plumbing entering into walls • Attic hatches • Cable and telephone jacks/wiring • Air vents • Baseboards

8. Seal the drafts with caulking and weatherproofing. Winterize windows with shrink-able insulation film or magnetic windows. • Caulk your windows, weatherproof your doors

9. Seal outlets and light switches with caulking and foam gaskets. Plug outlets with safety covers. • Seal up electrical outlets on exterior walls Image of switching adding a foam gasket to an electrical outlet.

10. Efficient Heating and Cooling With some simple adjustments and some changes in practices you can increase the efficiency of your heating and cooling system by 5% to 40%.

11. Clean the filter of your heating and ventilation system regularly. Image of removing filter from the EAC heater Efficient Heating and Cooling

12. Install programmable thermostats and program them to suitable temperatures for the seasons. Efficient Heating and Cooling

13. Dress for the weather. Consider keeping extra sweaters around for the winter. Efficient Heating and Cooling Image courtesy of remind/stockxchang.vf

14. Close the curtains when it’s hot and sunny, open them when it’s cold and sunny. Efficient Heating and Cooling Photo courtesy of David Castillo Dominici/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

15. Open windows and use fans in the summer to circulate air instead of using an air conditioner. Efficient Heating and Cooling

16. Improving lighting and water use Lighting accounts for about 11% of electricity use in Canadian homes.

17. Make it easier to use fewer lights. Use task lighting and natural lighting. Improving Lighting and Water Use

18. Change your light bulbs to LED Improving Lighting and Water Use

19. Keep your water heater at 54°C(below could increase bacteria growth, above is inefficient). Get a professional to do this. Install low-flow and cut-off showerheads and faucet aerators. Improving Lighting and Water Use

20. Install a hot water tank blanket and pipe insulation on the hot water pipes. Improving Lighting and Water Use

21. Install low-flow and cut-off showerheads and faucet aerators. Improving Lighting and Water Use

22. Place a bottle filled with water or a toilet tank bank or dam in the tank of your toilet. Improving Lighting and Water Use

23. Appliances and Equipment PHANTOM LOAD: The energy an appliance uses when it is “off”. Many appliances are using electricity even when they are turned off.

24. Measure the Power Usage of your appliance – measure the difference between on and off. Appliances and Equipment

25. What is a kWh ? kWh = kilowatt-hour. One kWh is the amount of energy it takes to run a 1000 Watt electric kettle for one hour. Supplying one kWh of electricity in Nova Scotia causes about 800 grams of carbon dioxide emissions to the atmosphere, and costs us about $0.15 on our electric bill, all charges and taxes included

26. How are Amps, Volts and Watts related ? Amps (A) = electric current (flow of electrons). Volts (V) = electromotive force (like pressure) Watts (W) = power (energy per second) Watts = Amps x Volts Energy (kWh) = Watts x Time

27. How to calculate savings? Energy (kWh) = (Watts x Hours)/1000 Cost ($) = kWh * $/kWh Example: 50 W on 24/7

28. How to calculate savings? Energy (kWh) = (Watts x Hours)/1000 Cost ($) = kWh * $/kWh Example: 50 W on 24/7 50 W * 8760 h / 1000 W/kW = 438 kWh * 0.15 $/kWh = $65.70 per year

29. Use a power bar to turn off equipment that is not in use. Appliances and Equipment Reducing Phantom Load

30. Is it older than ten years old? • Do you need this one on all year? • Check for leaks around the door. • Clean the condenser coils. • Give fridge 2-3 inches space on top, sides and behind • Keep it well-stocked but not too full. • Turn off the ice-maker Refrigerator checklist: Appliances and Equipment Reducing Phantom Load

31. Use energy saver settings. • Do not use screen savers • Use sleep state if you leave for less than 30 min. • Power down if you leave for more than 30 minutes. • Use an LCD screen. • Connect devices to a power bar to turn off. • A laptop uses less energy than a desktop. Computer checklist Appliances and Equipment Reducing Phantom Load

32. Engage with the other people you live with! Remind others and yourself how to save energy with stickers and friendly nudges. Have an energy-saving contest!

33. Thanks to: Image credits: • EAC Volunteer Sara Jellicoe for the audit photos • Juliaf on stockxchg (background image) • Remind on stockxchang.vf (clothing image) • David Castillo Dominicion FreeDigitalPhotos.net (curtain image) • Njajon freedigitalphotos.net (building envelope) Efficiency Nova Scotia Halifax Libraries