Home Energy Solutions

What is Cool Cities?

• Local Communities Making a Commitment to Solve Global Warming

• Putting Proven Clean Energy Solutions to Work

• Building Local Coalitions• Changing the National Consciousness

What is the Challenge and the Opportunity?

•Stop global warming with local solutions

•Decrease our dependence on fossil fuels

•Support a more affordable and safer way to power our country

•Strengthen local economies

Coal Impacts Our Health

“Coal-fired power plants are among the largest contributors to particulate pollution, ozone, mercury, and global warming.” 

-- The American Lung Association

How Much Coal Do You Use?

• Coal accounts for 83% of CO2 emissions for electricity production

• It takes one pound of coal to power your TV for 4.5 hours

• One pound to power your lamp for two evenings

• The average US household uses 9.5 tons of coal per year

Energy Efficiency Makes $ense• A lot of savings for a little effort• A secure, low cost investment• Boosts your local economy by:

– Using your dollars to support local contractors, not on excessive utility bills

– Keeping your dollars local, not sending them to distant utility companies

• Saves our resources and slows global warming

Energy Efficiency Upgrade Purchase Price Annual Bill Savings

Simple Payback (yrs) ROI

5 CFL Bulbs $10 $50 .2 500%

Duct Sealing $250 $95 2.6 38%

ENERGY STAR Clothes Washer* $194 $66 2.9 34%

ENERGY STAR Programmable Thermostat*

$107 $29 3.7 27%

Water Heater Tank Wrap (R-12) $85 $23 3.7 27%

ENERGY STAR Refrigerator* $97 $23 4.2 24%

ENERGY STAR Heat Pump* $692 $126 5.5 18%

ENERGY STAR Dishwasher* $29 $5 5.5 17%

Increase wall and attic insulation $1,784 $111 16.1 6%

TOTAL $3,970 $647 6.1 16%

*The purchase price for these appliances list the additional cost to purchasing an energy star appliance over an inefficient standard appliance

http://hes.lbl.gov/hes/profitable_dat.html

Save Money on Energy Bills and Reduce your CO2

Footprint1. Program your thermostat or purchase a

programmable thermostat. 2. Install CFL Light bulbs3. Perform a basic energy audit 4. Seal up leaks 5. Lose/Manage Your Vampire Appliances

Step 1

Heat and Cool your home when you are home. Set your

thermostat to a lower temperature in the winter and a warmer

temperature in summer when you don’t need it.

Raising your thermostat one degree in the summer can

reduce your bill by 3-5%.

Step 2 Efficient Lighting

Replace your old light bulbs with compact

fluorescent lights (CFL). A conventionallight bulb uses 30% more energy than aCFL.

Recycle your used CFLs at localhardware stores.

A CFL pays for itself in the first four months and lasts several

years.

Step 2 Efficient Lighting (cont’d)The light emitting diode bulb

(LED) has a high up front cost but lasts over 20 years and is more energy efficient than even a CFL bulb.

A conventional 60 watt bulb uses over 800% more energy than a LED.

Make sure any bulb you buy is Energy Star rated.

Check for energy leaks or windy drafts.

• Windows and Doors• Light Sockets• FireplaceHave at least 12 inches of

insulation in your atticSeal leaks in your ducts with

mastic or foil tape available at your local hardware store.

Step 3 Energy Audit Basics

Step 3Energy Audit Basics (cont’d)

Check your water heater to see if it is warm to the

touch...consider turning it down to around 120 degrees.

This can cut your water heating bill in half.

Insulate hot water pipes, especially if these pipes are located

outside the house.

Step 4Seal Leaks in Your Home

• Caulk cracks• Purchase a window kit• Rubber weather stripping• Foil tape or a glue called

mastic fills leaks on your heating and air conditioning ducts

• Make sure the flue in your fireplace is sealed tight

Step 5Vanquish Phantom Energy Loads

Phantom loads are appliances that use energy even after youturn them off.

• Put appliances on a power strip and turn off everything with just one button

• Invest in A Kill-A-Watt to measure how much electricity your appliance uses and the phantom load

• Upgrade to Energy Star appliances when possible

• Dust off the coils on refrigerator

• Clean or replace the filter in furnace

• Plug electronics into power strip

• Use smaller appliances like a toaster oven or electric kettle instead of stove top.

• In the summer open windows at night and shut them during the day

Free and Low Cost Ideas

Inefficient HomeHeat loss

• Standard thermostat• Energy Leaks• Low Insulation

Electricity wasted• Incandescent light

bulbs• Phantom loads• Inefficient, old

appliances• Extra or “bachelor”

fridge in garage

Efficient HomeHeat efficient

• Programmable thermostat

• Leaks are plugged up• Thick Insulation• Sealed Fire Place

Electricity saved• CFL light bulbs• Power strips• Energy Star

appliances

Weatherization Assistance Program

• Recovery Act has allocated $5 billion to the Federal Weatherization Assistance budget, with a goal to weatherize one million homes a year.

• Funding must be used in the next 3 years• Income Level- At or below 200% of poverty for your region

– For a family of four, income eligibility is up to about $40,000!!

• Per Unit Assistance- new maximum of $6,500, up from instead of $3,055

Brought to you by the American Recovery and

Reinvestment Act…Recovery Act Efficiency Improvements: 30% of

thecost up to $1500

• Windows, Insulation, Sealing• Central Air, Heat Pump, Furnace/Boiler

Geothermal Pump/Solar Water Heater: 30% of the

cost up to $2000Biomass Fuel Stoves: $300 CreditSmall Wind: 30% of the cost up to $4000

Grassroots Change Starts With You

• The more the public hears about efficiency and renewable energy solutions the more our energy use will change in this country.

• Share your energy efficiency stories and suggestions with your friends, family, and neighbors.

• Post your stories on www.coolcities.us or email them to cool.cities@sierraclub.org

Host A Presentation• Who do you know?

– Your neighbors– PTA– Church group

• Set a Date and Time• Invite the participants• Invite a local hardware store,

contractor, energy consultant• Present at the meeting• Follow up