2

Last year the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed the Clean Power Plan framework to reduce carbon emissions produced by the electric power generation industry. Goals are state specific. Each state has a different goal rate because each state has a unique mix of electric power sources to consider. States have a wide-ranging flexibility as to how they expect to meet their goal rate by 2030.

The EPA proposes a two-part goal structure - an interim goal and a final goal.

These Goals will be Difficult to Meet – Challenges Predicted

North American Electric Reliability Corp., the organization that sets national electricity grid reliability standards, recently voiced concerns related to the EPA’s proposed plans to cut carbon emissions. The reliability watchdog points out that

the plan would likely force a massive shift in the country’s generating fuel mix from carbon based to renewable energy sources. According to NERC, this could seriously impact grid reliability, management, and maintenance.

Under the Clean Power Plan, the EPA would like to see a 1.5% annual growth in energy efficiency savings. This is very aggressive. Using this aggressive growth target, energy efficiency would grow faster than electricity demand, and total electricity demand would actually shrink after 2020.Tom Burgess, Director of Reliability Assessment and Performance Analysis at NERC, has expressed concern that the EPA’s Clean Power Plan will require a much bigger push for energy efficiency programs at the state level than what is currently being implemented.

Absent a state-wide incentive program, economically and environmentally conscious consumers can use existing resources to reduce energy consumption.

Let’s help each state meet its goals by reducing the amount of energy we use! And save money, too!

3

In 2005, under President George W. Bush, Congress enacted the Energy Policy Act. This Act enabled the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency to deploy a voluntary program to recognize and promote energy–efficient products. The goal of the program is to reduce energy consumption, improve energy security, and reduce pollution. This is done through the voluntary labeling of products and buildings that meet high energy efficiency standards.

The ENERGY STAR program has boosted the adoption of energy efficient products, practices, and services for over 20 years. Texans like you and me can use this program to improve the energy efficiency of our homes and ultimately of our home state.

This paper highlights some major things you can do to launch your new and improved, lean, green lifestyle.

ENERGY STAR is a voluntary program founded by the EPA under the first President Bush. The program helps businesses and individuals save money and the planet by using less energy. The program was established in 1992, as part of the Clean Air Act. The Clean Air Act promotes engineering research and technologies to “develop, evaluate, and demonstrate non–regulatory strategies and technologies for reducing air pollution.”

There are some pretty cool resources out there we can use to implement an energy efficient lifestyle.

THE ENERGY STAR PROGRAM

4

1Always be on the lookout for the ENERGY STAR label when shopping for new appliances, windows, doors, and energy related products and services.

Washer:

Clothes washers with the ENERGY

STAR label use 35% less water and

energy.

Refrigerator:

ENERGY STAR labeled refrigerators

are 10% more energy efficient

than models that meet only the

federal minimum energy efficiency

standards. Replace your 10-year-old

refrigerator for an ENERGY STAR

certified fridge and reap huge

savings on your energy bills. Be sure

to recycle your old refrigerator.

Dryer:

Dryers with the ENERGY STAR label

use 20% less energy than conven-

tional models without sacrificing

features or performance. Optimize

your wash schedule. Emptying the

lint trap after each use improves air

circulation and increases efficiency.

ENERGY STAR Label

ENERGY STAR Appliances

Water Heater:

Water heating can account for

up to 25% of your home energy

usage. An ENERGY STAR certified

heat pump water heater can save

over $300 annually. A big family

can save up to $600 a year!

5

HVAC system:

Around 50% of the energy used in

your home goes to heating and cool-

ing. Your home’s heating, ventilating,

and air conditioning (HVAC) system

can have a big effect on your utility

bills and your comfort. Replace your

10+ year old system with an ENERGY

STAR qualified heating and cooling

equipment. Tune up your HVAC

equipment yearly.

Dishwasher:

An ENERGY STAR certified dishwasher

will save more than 1,000 gallons of

water over the life of the appliance

and about $40 per year on energy

costs. It is interesting to note that

washing dishes by hand typically uses

more water and energy than using

an ENERGY STAR dishwasher. Air dry

dishes instead of using the heat dry

setting on your dishwasher to save

even more energy.

Windows:

ENERGY STAR certified windows, and

skylights can reduce your energy

bills up to 15%. Make sure you pick

windows that make the most sense

for hot weather. ENERGY STAR perfor-

mance criteria are based on 4 climate

zones and ratings established by the

National Fenestration Rating Council

(NFRC). Dallas falls into the South

Central climate zone, and Houston

falls into the Southern climate zone.

Ratings for your climate zone are

based on factors such as air leakage

and a solar heat gain coefficient.

Click here for details.

Doors:

ENERGY STAR certified doors can

reduce your energy bills up to 15%.

Performance criteria for doors are

based on the amount of glass they

have (called glazing level). Ratings

are certified by the National Fenestra-

tion Rating Council (NFRC).

Click here for details.

TV and Electronics:

New ENERGY STAR certified TVs save

energy when on and off!

Light Bulbs: An ENERGY STAR certified light bulb

uses about 75% less energy and lasts

up to 25 times longer.

M O N E Y - S A V I N G

BONUSSee below for information

on possible tax credits

6

32Close shades and drapes to help improve insulation and prevent heat loss in the winter, and cool-

ing loss during the summer.

Replace your screens with Storm Windows.

Homeowners typically save up to $200 a year in heating and cooling costs by air sealing their homes and adding insulation. For Texans, significant air leaks are typically hidden in the attic. Or if you live in a traditional pier and beam home, leaks may come from beneath the house itself. Seal attic air leaks with caulk, spray foam, and weather stripping before adding insulation. Even something as simple as a large, thick area rug over the floor of your older home can help insulate from below. Also remember to seal and insulate your attic hatch or door. Click here on detailed specifics for sealing leaks an adding insulation.

Seal off big leaks and add insulation.

M O N E Y - S A V I N G

BONUSSee below for information

on possible tax credits

7

654Sealing and insulating ducts can improve the efficiency of your heating, cooling, and ventilation

system by as much as 20%. Look for holes, tears, and other signs of leaking ducts and seal them using mastic or metal (foil) tape. Insulate all the ducts you can access like the ones in the attic, crawl-space, or garage. Clean the area around the outdoor components of your HVAC system. And check air distribution registers (duct openings on your walls, floors or ceiling where heat and air come out) for optimal performance. Have a professional tune up your HVAC system on a yearly basis.

Find and seal leaks in your HVAC system.

With proper use, programmable thermostats can save about $180 / year in energy costs. It is hard to remember to adjust the air every time you leave the home. A pre-programmed thermostat does it for you. If you really want to up the ‘cool’ factor, install a smart thermostat like Google’s Nest, and it will learn and program your schedule automatically.

Install and properly set a programmable thermostat.

Be sure to close your flue damper tightly when you are not using the fireplace. You may be wasting energy and money on warmed or cooled air that can easily escape from your house. Even if there is no fire in the fireplace, there can still be a draft up the chimney. Consider a fireplace balloon or chim-ney plug for an even tighter seal. Visit Northline Express for fireplace and outdoor products.

Close the fireplace damper.

8

987Replacing your old heating and cooling equipment with units that have earned the ENERGY STAR

could cut your annual energy bill by more than $100. Approximately 50% of your energy usage is to heat and cool your home. Your home’s heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system can have a big effect on your utility bills and your comfort. When the time comes for you to make the replacement, seriously consider replacing old equipment with an ENERGY STAR option. Because of the volume of energy used for heating and cooling, this energy-conscious choice can have a big impact on reducing your carbon footprint.

Consider replacing your HVAC system.

Homeowners typically save over $100 a year in heating and cooling costs by air sealing their homes and adding insulation. Check for signs of air leakage around windows and doors. Then use caulk and weather-stripping to stop the leaks. When replacing windows and doors, look for the ENERGY STAR label. Not only will this action save you money, but it should make your home more comfortable, as well.

Caulk and weather-strip around windows and doors.

Insulating hot water pipes keeps water 2 to 4 degrees hotter so you can turn down the setting on your hot water heater and save a lot of money (water heaters account for around 25% of your monthly energy costs). Insulating hot water pipes saves by retaining heat in the water that is already in the pipes. This action also saves water by reducing time to run tap before hot water reaches it. Insulate your electric water heater. Check out how to make this a fun little game with the family by visiting “One-Minute” Energy Stars.

Insulate hot water pipes.

9

10How to keep your attic cold in the winter and warm in the summer – the key to a durable, efficient home. It might seem weird to add insulation for warmth and then purposely improve attic venti-lation to let outside cold or hot air enter the attic through vents. Yet this is the key to a sturdy and energy-efficient house. Proper insulation keeps your attic cold in winter and warm in the summer by blocking the entry air from your living quarters below. In the winter, allowing a natural flow of out-door air to ventilate the attic helps to keep your attic cold.

This reduces the potential for snow to melt and then re-freeze in your gutters, causing an ice dam that can damage the roof. Proper insulation and air sealing keeps your attic cold in winter by blocking the entry of warm, moist air from below. In the summer, natural air flow in a well-vented attic moves super-heated air out of the attic, removing moisture and protecting roof shingles. The insulation will then keep that warm air from entering your cooler living quarters below. The most common mistake homeowners make when installing insulation is to block the flow of air at the eaves. Never cover your attic vents with insulation! Be sure your attic gable and soffit vents are not blocked. Attic air must flow freely for maximum efficiency.

Improve attic ventilation:

10

Residential Energy Efficient Property Credit

• This tax credit is for 30% of the cost of alternative energy equipment installed on or in your home.

• Qualified equipment includes solar hot water heaters, solar electric equipment and wind turbines.

• There is no dollar limit on the credit for most types of property. If your credit is more than the tax you owe, you can carry forward the unused portion of this credit to next year’s tax return.

• The home must be in the U.S. It does not have to be your main home.

This credit is available through 2016. Use Form 5695, Residential Energy Credits, to claim these credits.

Federal Tax Credits. You may be able to reduce your taxes if you made specific energy-efficient home improvements last year!

11

Depending on the home improvement project, many argue that making your home more energy efficient will not pay for itself. This may or may not be true. The economics of energy efficient projects vary by climate, tax credit incentives, and local labor, product, and installation costs, among other factors. If you are an ecologically conscious consumer, you may not care as much about the economic costs, as you are more excited about the vast ecological benefits.

Generally though, if you are already shopping for new appliances, the energy star label is the way to go for both your wallet and the environment. If you are currently building or renovating your home, keep an eye out for the ENERGY STAR label on all building products, from doors, to windows, to water-heaters. The likely scenario is that these building products will also be beneficial to both your wallet and the planet.

Finally, remember the Clean Power Plan and the each state should promote energy efficiency. The EPA’s Clean Power Plan allows each state to take into account energy savings by citizens like you and me to meet its goals. Without significant improvements in energy efficiency by us, the citizens, the Clean Power Plan could lead to transmission reliability issues, challenges regarding integration with intermittent renewable generation resources like wind and solar power, and increased energy costs by up to 20%. If enough citizens simply reduced their consumption of energy by implementing just one or two of the methods above, we might avoid some of these anticipated challenges.

Let’s help each state meet its Clean Power goals by reducing the amount of energy we use! And we may save a little on our energy bills at the same time.

12

• Federal Register - Carbon Pollution Emission Guidelines: https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2014/06/18/2014-13726/carbon-pollution-emission-guidelines-for-existing-stationary-sources-electric-utility-generating

• EPA - Carbon Pollution Standards / Clean Power Plan: http://www2.epa.gov/carbon-pollution-standards

• ENERGY STAR Guide – Check it out! https://www.energystar.gov/campaign/waysToSave?tagIdList=Featured-Advice

• A Do-It Yourself Guide to Sealing and Insulating your Home: http://www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/publications/pubdocs/DIY_Guide_May_2008.pdf?b7a1-d1d6

• Make it Fun – One Minute Energy Stars! http://www.energystar.gov/ia/products/event_toolkit/GoGreenActivities.pdf

• IRS.GOV Energy-Efficient Home Improvements Can Lower Your Taxes: http://www.irs.gov/uac/Newsroom/Energy-Efficient-Home-Improvements-Can-Lower-Your-Taxes

• The North American Electric Reliability Corp (NERC) - Potential Reliability Impacts of EPA’s Proposed Clean Power Plan: http://www.nerc.com/pa/RAPA/ra/Reliability%20Assessments%20DL/Potential_Reliability_Impacts_of_EPA_Proposed_CPP_Final.pdf

Be sure to follow us on social media for more tips on how you can be more energy efficient and save money on your electricity.

Take Charge of Your Electricity Bills. A Fast, Easy Way to Save!Compare Texas Electricity Prices and Save Money Today.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE

TWITTER FACEBOOK BLOG