Seattle Sun Newspaper - Vol. 6, Issue 12, December 2002

Copyright 2002 Seattle Sun. Please feel free to use the article and photos below in your research. Be sure to quote the Seattle Sun as your source.

AROUND THE HOME by Matt Maury

Tips on reducing energy usage

During the holidays, many people think about reducing their waist. But it is also a good time for people to consider reducing their WASTE energy waste, that is.

Over time, utility bills can creep up, slowing biting off larger and larger chunks of the budget. By exercising a few energy-saving measures, utility bills can be brought back down to a more manageable size. In addition, areas of a home that feel drafty or cool can be made comfortable and usable by heating them more efficiently. And, of course, energy conservation preserves our natural resources.

With over 50 percent of the energy consumed in an average home being used for heating, that is the first place to look for savings. Besides having regular furnace maintenance, a smart homeowner will investigate four other areas that can reduce energy consumption: insulation, windows and doors, furnace air ducts, and thermostats.

Insulation:

Homes built before the 1970s usually have inadequate insulation. It was not until the energy crisis in the early '70s that homes began having high levels of it specified in construction. Still, many homes had areas around attics, garages, crawl spaces and basements that were built with little or no insulation. Without it, warm air can escape from a house contributing to substantial wasted energy.

Added insulation can restrict both the outflow of warm air in the winter and the inflow of warm air in the summer. For comprehensive information about proper insulation, visit the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association Web site at www.naima.org. To check on rebate programs currently available, visit www.SimplyInsulate.com.

Windows and doors:

The effectiveness of double- and triple-pane windows and solid-core doors in insulating a home is well known. However, far less attention is paid to the areas surrounding these openings. Often, and especially in older homes, there are substantial drafts around the doors and windows because the caulking has cracked or is non-existent. Yearly inspection and caulking is recommended.

Additionally, weather-stripping on doors is only effective if it is tight. Often it can become damaged or worn out, especially the plastic "sweep-type" on the bottom of doors. Yearly inspections should be made, with replacement as necessary.

For definitive information on caulking and weather-stripping, home owners should consult the U.S. Department of Energy's Web site at www.eren.doe.gov/erec/factsheets/weatherize.html.

Furnace air ducts:

It has been estimated that a furnace's efficiency in delivering warm air can be reduced by as much as 40 percent with inefficient air ducts. That's because many duct systems in older homes have open joints, poor insulation or no insulation at all. As these ducts run through unheated basements and attics, they let the warm air escape. Additionally, cold air can be drawn into any openings.

Homeowners should inspect air ducts for openings and insulation, then take the appropriate actions to improve heating efficiency. The same contractor that services a home's furnace can perform any repairs that are not do-it-yourself projects.

Thermostats:

Many older homes have furnace thermostats that require manual adjustment. Turn it up in the morning and down at night. This method wastes a lot of energy during times when no one is at home. Modern technology has produced thermostats that can be programmed for a person's lifestyle. The heat comes on a few minutes before the alarm goes off in the morning, then the temperature is turned down until just before the homeowner returns after the workday. Want to sleep later on weekends? Program the thermostat for different "on" and "off" times for those days.

The U.S. Department of Energy has developed an extensive fact sheet to help individuals make decisions about type and placement of energy-saving programmable thermostats. It is available at www.eren.doe.gov/erec/factsheets/thermo.html.

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Matt Maury is president of the Home Owners Club of Seattle. His column is intended to help homeowners better understand the complexities of owning and maintaining their residences.

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