energy efficiency workshop survival skills for today’s energy market

Energy Efficiency WorkshopEnergy Efficiency Workshop

Survival Skills for Today’s Energy Market

Energy Efficiency Workshop

What we’re doing1. How we compare with other

areas of world

2. Factors affecting energy use

3. What various systems use

4. Energy tips & strategy

5. Resources

6. Trouble shooting high bills


“The average [US] home emits twice as much green house gas as the average car,” says the Building Codes Assistance Project.


When Will We Improve?From: The Home Energy Efficiency Report

20081.Energy costs are perceived as a long-term,

burdensome problem2.Costs, return and payback periods can be

estimated 3.Income is sufficient4.A credible source of advice on the most cost-

effective improvements is available


Determining power consumption patterns


Three Critical Factors1. Texas Climate

Mostly hot, but cold too Humidity, rain, sun

2. Behaviors Thermostat settings, length of showers Energy Attitude

3. Home Envelope & Systems Building, insulation, ducts, vents, doors, windows Heating & Air conditioning, water heater,

lighting Swimming pools, hot tubs, irrigation, outdoor

lighting


Hot & Humid


Code not adopted in Texas yet


Heating & Cooling Degree Days Average outdoor temperature:

Above 65°F = Cooling degree days Below 65°F = Heating degree days

Each degree the average daily temperature is above 65°F counts as one cooling degree day

Example: if yesterday was an average of 90 degrees, would count as 25 cooling degree days

Annual Cooling/Heating

Year Cooling

Heating

2008 2583 1713

2007 2250 1909

2006 2535 1571

2005 2094 1918

2004 2009 1890

January Cooling/Heating

Year Cooling

Heating

2009 6 440

2008 7 532

2007 0 663

2006 0 285

2005 6 422


Work with ClimatePlant deciduous trees for shadeUse natural light when possibleConsider rainwater collection to

reduce well pumpingConsider heat impact of

driveways & other items nearby Consider heat gain from dark

building materials


Different ways people use energy


Some Behavior FactorsKnowledge – “energy IQ”AttitudeAge

Children, teensSenior adults

GenderIncomeMedical condition


Building and All Systems


Drafty Homes

600,000+ cubic feet of air passes through the older Texas house daily

Enough to fill 3 Goodyear blimps


Improve Home EnvelopeCalk & weather stripping

Exterior openings & attic doorConsider insulation

Recommendation: R-38 to R-49R-19 or less in ceiling – add

insulationNatural light tubular skylights

– with dimmersFire places - usually not very

efficientConsider glass doorsOutside combustion airClose damper when not in use


Improve Home EnvelopeLow E windows for Texas climateWindows’ Efficiency rated

Specific window rating for this area

U-factor= resistance to heat gain (lower is better)

SHGC= Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (lower is better)

Wall to window ratio of 25% or less

Consider storm windows in existing homes

Solar screens on sun exposed


5

PoolsHot TubsWells

Sewers

1

Heating &

A/C44%

2Water

Heating14%

3Refrigera

tor9%

4

Lighting &

Appliances

33%


Heating & ACCurtains and blindsReplace A/C filter often (MERV 6+)Therm. at 78 summer and 68 winterInstall programmable therm.Seal ducts (UL rated tape)Check heating & AC annuallyConsider replacing 10 year+ central

systemHeat pump better than regular

resistance heatNew Unit 14 SEER or greater


Efficient Heat-PumpMoves heat: out in summer, in during winter2-types: air & geothermal (water or ground)SEER – Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio is

cooling efficiencyAir Source = 13-18 SEER (14+ Energy Star)Geothermal = 25-37 SEER (climate dependant)

HSPF Rating – Heating Seasonal Performance Factor is heating efficiency (8+)

EER Newer standard – Electrical Efficiency Rating – remove climate differencesWill become standardRating for room A/C


Room Units & Ductless SystemsRoom/ Window units

One room at a time, but lower efficiency10+ EER (A/C for Energy Star rating)Heat-pump units (some A/C & heat NOT heat-

pump)Ductless Systems

Central compressor, each room has air handlerOutside unit smaller & quite operationRequires less installation space (refrigerant lines

only)Used overseas for yearsSome rated at 20 SEER


Energy Tips – Water HeaterSet therm. at 120Consider timer, off when on vacationInsulate pipe above heaterInsulate hot water pipes in un-

insulated spacesPumped instant-hot system problemsReplace old heaters with more

efficientUse cold water to wash clothsUse low-flow shower headsFix leaky faucets


New Water Heating TechnologiesTankless Water Heaters

Eliminates standby lossesRequire additional wiring (if electric)GPM flow rate may be limited

Heat-pump water heatersNot common – yetUse 1/3 to ½ electricityGE to release self-contained model soon

Solar water heatingMaking a comeback in sun-beltIf considering – do homework


Source: American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy


Energy Tips – RefrigeratorKeep freezer section fullClean air intake areaMake sure door seals are goodReplace pre-1993 with Energy Star

rated model (see frig calculator)Eliminate old garage refrigerator!

Adds $20+ monthly to billIf buying freezer avoid “frost-free”


LightingUse CFL bulbs and save 2 ways

75% less electricityOperates at 90 degrees (not 300

degrees)Spot, 3-way, dimmable , bug-light

LED lightingUse now for decorative lightingMore LED’s coming for indoor & outGreenStar

Use motion sensors indoors and outdoor


Source: U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Energy Savers based on $0.94 cost per kWh


Appliance ConsiderationsUse Energy Star qualifiedAdvanced technologies10-50% less energy and

water$’s saved on utility bills

make up additional costFront loading washersSolar dryers good too


Pools & Hot TubesSwimming pools

Adjust pool pump times for season

Avoid extended run time with non-essentials (water falls)

Hot tubsUse timers, all off during non-usePlace in weather protected areaUse insulated coverMake sure all sides (and bottom)

and insulated

8 A–7P


Phantom Power UsersSome TV’sComputersCell phone chargersAppliances, alarm clocks, etc.Anything that is warm or shows a

light or a displaySome sewer systems, some controls

(water softener)


Measuring UsageKill-A-Watt measure usage at

each appliancehttp://

www.p3international.com/products/special/P4400/P4400-CE.html

Utility automatic meter reading systemsCan see daily usage

Read meter daily for month and compare with temps


Energy StrategiesLimited income in inefficient home

Create one efficient roomUse it during peak heating and A/C

seasonSpace heating vs. central system

1,500 watt heater uses less than central furnace

Never run central furnace & space heater

Use electric blankets in winterUse fans in summer


Help Members understand usage


Trouble Shooting High BillsWeather extremes are usual causeElements can run up a big bill

Central electric furnace 15,000 watts commonA/C and heater running at same timeWater heater element 4,500 watts (instant-hot

pump - worst)Electric space heater 1,500 watts

Pumps that run all the time are big monthly usersWater wells, swimming pools, hot tubs, irrigation746 watts per horsepower

Lose and leaky ductsMobile homes, gray duct tape, bad flex duct,

animalsExtra refrigerators = $20+ per month per unitRarely – shorts, faulty wiring


Some Basics730 = total hours in an average month746 watts = one electric motor

horsepower746 X 1 hp X 730 = 544,580/1,000 =

544.58 KWH per monthKW = 1,000 watts at a point in time less

than one hour (demand) as measured by the meter Example: 4,500 watt element = 4.5 KW

KWH = 1,000’s of watts with hours in time included4,500 watt element X 1 hour = 4.5 KWH

KVA = same as kW, but includes power factor (volts X amps) transformers are sized in KVA


A few websites to consider


BEC Member ResourcesBandera Electric Cooperative

www.banderaelectric.comEnergy Star

http://www.energystar.gov/Alliance to Save Energy

http://www.ase.org/U.S. Department of Energy

http://www.energysavers.gov/Texas State Energy Conservation

Officehttp://www.seco.cpa.state.tx.us/


Tax Credits 2009Item Specifications Credit Amount

Windows & Skylights Energy Star or IECC 10% up to $200 total

Storm Windows Meets IECC code 10% up to $200 total

Exterior doors IECC 10% up to $500

Storm doors IECC 10% up to $500

Metal & Asphalt roofs Energy Star 10% up to $500

Insulation IECC 10% up to $500

Central A/C SEER = 15+ $300

Air Heat -Pump SEER = 15+ $300

Geo-Thermal EER = 14-16 (depends)

30% up to $2,000

Water heaters Heat pump $300

Solar water heating SRCC 30% up to $2,000

Photovoltaic Meet building codes 30% up to $1,500

energy efficiency workshop survival skills for today’s energy market

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