Button Up 101:A Workshop on the

Basics of Home Energy Savings

Please add your name to the sign-in sheet

Thanks to:

Made possible by a grant from the NH Office of Energy and Planning with funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 

A special thanks to the creators of the Button-Up Vermont Model produced by Central Vermont Community Action Council

In partnership with Efficiency VT & the VT Energy and Climate Action Network

3Button Up NH 101 Workshop Overview

Simple Steps to Save Energy in the Home

Increasing Your Home Energy IQ

Next Steps to Button Up

Resources for Your Home Energy Plan

= Resources (accessible from BUNH website)

Companion Button Up 201 Workshop:More advanced air sealing and DIY projects

Working with a professional

Related health and safety issues

Why Button Up New Hampshire?

Fuel oil prices have increased over 50% in the past 5 years

Many New Hampshire homeowners now spend over $4,000 year on energy!

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New Hampshire homes use a lot of energy!

Test Your Home Energy IQ

POP QUIZ!

How much did you pay in home energy costs last year?

What fuel heats your home’s hot water system?

What is your house’s CFM50 air leakage rate?

What is CFM50?!

What is the single biggest user of electricity in your home?

Turn to Your Neighbor:

“The thing on my mind concerning my home’s energy is ____________”.

“One action I have taken over the last year to reduce my home’s energy use is _____________”. Why?

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Button Up with Simple Steps to Save Energy

Simple, easy steps that make a difference:

Look for sources of energy waste

Make small, easy changes

Inexpensive efficiency improvements

Get help from Button Up resources and other experts

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Simple Steps: Efficient Lighting

Turn them OFF in unoccupied areas

Replace lights with compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs)* or LEDs (light emitting diodes)*Save and return spent CFLs for mercury recycling

Purchase discounted lighting through nhsaves catalogOr use nhsaves rebate forms at retailers

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8Simple Steps: Domestic Hot Water

Set hot water temperature to 120◦F at tap

Install low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators

Wrap warm pipes and electric tankLearn more about insulating hot water pipes and tanks in Button Up 201

Take shorter showers

Simple Steps: Turn Back the Thermostat

Heat only the areas that are occupied

Lowering your thermostat 10º for 8 hours a day will save about 11% on your heating bill

A programmable thermostat makes it easy to set back the temperature at night and when away

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Hours Thermostat Setback

per Day 5 10 15 20

8 5% 11% 16% 21%

12 8% 16% 24%  

24 16% 32%    

Simple Steps: Reduce Vampire Loads

A typical home has 40 devices that consume power, even when turned off

About 10% of home electricity use

Worst culprits: DVRs & cable boxes, TVs and audio systems, computers, printers, and chargers

UNPLUG THEM if possible

Plug devices into power strips and turn off when not inuse or use “smart strips”

Available through nhsaves or through retailers (rebate)

The OFF button isn't

always OFF!

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Simple Steps: Washing and Drying Clothes

Wash and rinse clothes in cold water

Wash full loads

Air-dry clothes outside, if possible

Next-Steps: Buy an ENERGY STAR qualified clothes washer

$$ rebate available from nhsaves

Saves on water, electricity and detergent

Images courtesy Patullo Consulting, Inc.

12Simple Steps

Summary

Turn it off

Turn it down

Tune it up

Buy smart

How much energy is your home using?!

Monitor electrical use and vampire loadsUse plug-in watt meters

From nhsaves.com or from NH public libraries

Track your energy consumptionLook for monthly history information

Or ask your supplier for a delivery record

Calculate a “Home Heating Index”http://www.nhsaves.com/homeheating

Need: 1+ year heating fuel consumption

Square feet of heated spaces

Lower HHI is better

Boost Your Home Energy IQ13

Use HHI to qualify for Home Performance with ENERGY STAR!

Home Energy IQ: Know Your Home

Home Basics

Square feet of heated space

Access to attics, crawlspaces, kneewall areas, etc

Heat and Warmth

Heating fuels used: oil, wood, natural gas, propane, etc.

Furnace? <or> Boiler?

Piped or ducted distribution system?

Insulation types and thicknesses in walls, attic and basement

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Home Energy IQ: Play it Safe

Install a Carbon Monoxide (CO) detectorAt least one near sleeping areas

Units that display CO concentration are better

Make sure smoke detectors are functional

Look for signs of interior moisture, combustion problems, structural issues, lack of ventilation, etc.

If in doubt, hire a professional to assess energy as well as health and safety issues

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Next Steps for Home Energy Performance

Bigger Actions for Bigger Savings

More time and effort

Can be more expensive

May have other impacts

May require energy professional assistance

Button Up partners can help with your Next Steps

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Next Steps: Purchase ENERGY STAR Appliances

Use 10% - 50% less energy than standard appliances

And lower vampire loads

Biggest savings from:Refrigerators

Clothes Washers

Dehumidifiers

www.energystar.gov has a list of efficient appliances

Check nhsaves.com for appliance rebates

Image courtesy S.Lawton

18Next Steps: Improve Heating Systems

Have heating systems regularly cleaned and safety tested

Change furnace filters regularly

Seal and insulate ducts outside heated spaces

Consider investing in a more efficient heating system

After completing building envelope improvements

Detached duct will be fastened and sealed

Moisture from air leaks can condense and promote mold growth in attics

Image courtesy of Efficiency Vermont

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Air leaks and lack of attic insulation wastes heat and cause ice dams

Next Steps: Reduce Air Leaks

Why heat the outside?!

Image: US EPA ENERGY STAR

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Air Sealing Priorities:

Attic

Basement

Center

Next Steps: Reduce Air Leaks

Common Leaks in New Hampshire Homes

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Next Steps: Reduce Air Leaks with Button Up 201

In Button Up 201 learn how to:

Find hidden air leaks yourselfLearn where and how to look for leaks

Recognize issues from air leakage and air sealing

Air seal in attics and around the house

Using sealing foam and other materials

Techniques for hatches, chimney chases, top plates, gaps, etc.

Work with a professional energy auditor and/or performance contractor

Images courtesy Patullo Consulting, Inc.

22Next Steps: Reduce Air Leaks

How Professionals Find Air Leaks

The blower door test is primary toolQuantifies air leakage -- “CFM50”

Prioritizes air sealing opportunities

Also used to confirm air sealing

Infrared imaging (thermography)Can be used with a blower door

Also finds insulation voids

Compare CFM50 results with “Building Tightness Limit”

Seal tight and ventilate right!

Additional Next Steps

Add more insulation, after air sealingAttic

Basement

Walls

Ducts and pipes

Improve fresh air mechanical ventilation

Upgrade window treatments

Switch to more cost-effective, sustainable fuels

Consider renewable energy options

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Partner Resources: Meet the Partners

Working together to help YOU with your home energy plan…

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Partner Resources: myenergyplan.net

Personal Energy PlannerTM: Find ways to make your home more comfortable and save money

Energy Project ConnectorTM: Find financial tools to help pay for the work

And search for energy professionals: auditors, installers, etc.

Green Homes TouristTM: Learn from your neighbors by taking “virtual” (or in person) tours of NH homes that have completed energy projects.

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FREE web tools to help reduce YOUR Energy Costs

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Search Contractors… View Homes & Energy Projects

Partner Resources: myenergyplan.net

Energy Project Connector Green Homes Tourist

Email us anytime at answers@unh.eduOR

CALL TOLL FREE 1-877-EXT-GROW (1-877-398-4769)

Call Center Hours: Monday-Friday9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

If you have energy questions. We have

Energy Answers

27Partner Resources: UNH Cooperative Extension

Energy Advisors – A Statewide Service Provided by the Plymouth Area Renewable Energy Initiative

Advisors are partnered with homeowners to personally assist them in taking the next step towards Buttoning Up their home

Designed for homeowners who need extra assistance with:Coming up with a home energy plan and following through on it

Becoming better acquainted with their home’s energy sources, equipment and current energy usage

Understanding and accessing educational information

Identifying and helping to sign up for additional weatherization services

A limited number of Energy Advisors are availableSign up for an Energy Advisor by mailing the sign up card, by calling 603-536-5030 ext. 3 or through www.plymouthenergy.org

Partner Resources: PAREI Energy Advisors28

Additional Energy Resources

There are many additional resources to fill in YOUR energy plan…

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Other Resources: NH Energy Efficiency Incentive Programs

Weatherization Assistance Program through Community Action Programs - call 211

No-cost weatherization for income-qualified participants

Home Performance with ENERGY STAR throughout NH - www.nhsaves.com

Fuel consumption qualification process (HHI)

Up to $4,000 in energy efficiency incentives

BetterBuildings Program in Nashua, Berlin & Plymouth - www.betterbuildingsnh.com

Technical and financial assistance helping building owners save energy

nhsaves: Utility Sponsored Energy Efficiency

Order Energy Efficiency Tools & Supplies at

Reduced Prices

Calculate Home Heating Index &

Qualify for Programs

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Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Case Study: Sunapee, NH

Total Project Cost = $6,578 ($3,128 in out-of-pocket expenses & $3,450 in rebates)

Estimated annual financial savings = $3000 / year

Estimated fuel savings = 14,010 kWh and 2 cords of wood

Payback period = (1.04 years for out-of-pocket; 2.19 years overall)

Work performed:Air-sealed house

Insulated attic, basement, rim joists

New programmable thermostats

Low flow water devices & pipe wrap

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Other Resources: Professional Services

Finding a Qualified Energy Auditors & Contractors

myenergyplan.net -- Energy Project Connector

NH Residential Energy Performance Assoc. (REPA) voting member – www.repa-nh.org

NH BetterBuildings qualified energy professionals – www.betterbuildingsnh.com

Look for: credentials, experience, appropriate tools, references and a fair price

Consider: independent energy auditor vs. integrated home performance contractor

Expect a clear, written contract

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34Button Up New Hampshire!

Where to Start Tomorrow:

Start with Simple Steps to turn it off, turn it down, tune it up, and buy smart

Take the Next Steps to increase home energy performance

Enroll in a Button Up 201 workshop

Use Energy Answers to get help get specific answers to your energy questions

Work with a PAREI Energy Advisor to guide your progress

Use myenergyplan.net to find financial tools & energy professionals and to create your energy plan

Save energy, help the planet and have fun!

ACTIVITY: My Energy Commitment

Share with Your Neighbor:

Actions that make sense for you now

And then…

Please also fill out the workshop evaluation

Look in the handouts for next steps

Take advantage of partner resources

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Thank You:

Community Action Partnership

Our Outstanding Presenters

Bob Walker (SERG) and Paul Markowitz (BU VT)

Funded by a grant from the NH Office of Energy and Planning, with funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009