Cool Weather Energy Basics
Posted on Aug 26, 2008 - 04:27 PM
By: Rita McConnell
In some parts of the country, it may seem like summer just arrived. But it’s back to school time, and before we know it, the winter chill will be upon us.
Now’s the time to start thinking about green ways to keep warm this winter. For most of us, it’s all about the basics - all of which we’ve heard before and probably have forgotten about
Basic #1
Insulation in many cases is the key to a warm winter nest, as well as to energy savings and greener living. It doesn’t make much sense to heat your home if the energy you’re using to do so just escapes to the outside. In addition to being un-green, it’s literally throwing money out the window.
If you need to replace or increase the amount of insulation in your home, start looking for a contractor now, before everyone else remembers it starts to get cold in October. If you’re in the market, consider fiber glass or slag wool insulation. Both use high amounts of recycled materials, depending on the brand. Even better is cellulose insulation made from used paper that would normally be landfilled. Research your options and find which product is best for you - remember, insulation can be made from many materials, but no matter how green, if its r-value, or ability to hold in heat, is compromised, you’re likely wasting money, and not being as green as you may think. Avoid any product that contains chlorofluorocarbons or hydrochlorofluorocarbons.
Basic #2
Perform a “DIY home energy audit.“ Start with your windows. To see if your windows are sealed properly and offer no chance for energy to escape, use this simple trick. Light a match (inside your home) and hold it near where the window meets the wall - carefully, please. If the match flickers or blows out, you have some work to do. Consider re-caulking around the windows, or in extreme cases, covering them for the winter season. If you’re considering replacing windows, look for double paned options that are energy efficient. Check you’re doors as well - if you feel drafts under or around, add weather stripping. Check for drafts near electrical outlets, too.
Basic #3
If you’re home is particularly large, as many are these days, consider shutting off access to nonessential portions of the house during the winter and limiting energy use there. Be sure any water lines that run through those sections of your home are well insulted to avoid freezing.
Basic #4
Check out your heating system now, before you find yourself out in the cold. First, if you don’t have a programmable thermostat, get one now and learn how to use it to its full advantage. Insulate or seal your ductwork. Talk to an expert to see if your system is properly sized for your home - bigger does not always mean better, and could be an energy drain. If your system is more than 10 years old, consider replacing it with an Energy Star product - you could see up to 20 percent savings on heating and cooling costs. If you’re replacing, you may also look into using a heat pump as an alternative. If you have an older hot water heater that’s still working well, think about fitting it with an insulation blanket to further cut back on energy costs.
Basic #5
Chances are the costs of fuel oil and natural gas will be increasing as the weather gets colder. Consider looking for ways to use less energy. For instance, don’t turn the thermostat beyond 70 degrees (but no lower than 68). If you still feel cold, grab a sweater or a hoodie. Dress in layers indoors just as you would outdoors, which keep your body warmer than one heavy garment.
Be diligent- turn off lights when you’re not in the room; use power strips and turn them off when appliances and electronics are not in use; and if your fortunate enough to have one, cut back on plasma television use - they’re one of the biggest energy hogs in modern homes. Only run your dishwasher and washing machine with full loads and keep switching incandescent light bulbs over to compact fluorescent. Unplug gadget chargers when they’re not charging - some electricity stills runs through cords even when appliances and electronics are turned off. When looking for new appliances, always purchase an Energy Star rated item. Finally, if you have children who regularly play games on your television, try to get them interested in other activities, and discourage them from “pausing” games while they eat, do homework, talk on the phone, etc.
Basic #6
Look for window treatments with energy efficient linings. These are often found in higher-end draperies, but the investment, if used properly, will help you cut back on energy usage. Keep drapes open in the daytime, particularly in sunny areas of your home to allow natural light to warm things up. As the sun sets, close draperies and blinds, and allow those linings to hold heat inside.
A few quick notes:
Never try to warm your house with your oven. This is just plain dangerous.
Audit your fireplace - make sure to clean your chimney to avoid the buildup of toxic creosote and potential fire. Schedule a sweep now before everyone else starts calling. Use your fireplace sparingly. Not only do they require burning a slowly renewing resource - trees - they are terribly inefficient when it comes to warming. And while it should go without saying, don’t burn random items in your home fireplace. Don’t toss gift paper in during the holidays or use it as a way to burn any trash, including cardboard, tissue, whatever. What goes up your chimney becomes part of the air everyone out side your house breathes. Use wood only.
If you’re going to use a space heater, be careful. Space heaters are notorious for starting devastating house fires. Evaluate the environmental value of space heaters as well - if you’re not saving that much energy, the risk of a major fire may not be worth it.
Know a cool way to save energy in colder months? Share it in the Neutral Existence forum.
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