Professional Documents
Culture Documents
The suggestions
in this guide
and on the
EnergySaver.gov
website can
help you save
energy, save
money, and
improve the
comfort of your
home.
Audit Your Home’s
Energy Use
The first step to improving the comfort It also provides recommendations on
and efficiency of your home is obtain- how to cost-effectively improve your
ing a home energy audit, also referred home’s energy efficiency. Some of
to as an energy assessment. A certi- the information on the Home Energy
2 fied auditor evaluates your home and Score Report can be included in real
identifies and prioritizes the recom- estate listings and potentially influ-
mended energy-saving improvements. ence home appraisals and financing.
You can also conduct a basic do-it- Visit homeenergyscore.gov to find a
yourself (DIY) energy audit. partner that offers the score.
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Weatherize Your
Home
Weatherizing your home helps you other places where air may leak. If
save money by saving energy, and the smoke stream travels horizontally,
it can also improve the comfort of you have located an air leak.
your home. Home weatherization
includes sealing air leaks and After you identify all air leaks, do the
adding insulation. following:
1 Plumbing and
utility access
2 All ducts
8
3 Sill plates
7 4 Outlets and
11 switches
5 Water and
4 furnace flues
6 9
1 10 6 Recessed lights
7 Attic entrance
3 8 Chimney flashing 7
5
2 9 Dropped ceilings
10 Door frames
11 Window frames
* These recommendations are cost-effective levels of insulation based on the best available information on
local fuel and materials costs and weather conditions. Consequently, the levels may differ from current local
building codes.
Source: ENERGY STAR
to determine how much insulation Loose-fill insulation is usually made
you should consider adding to your of fiberglass, rock wool, or cellulose
home. For masonry sidewalls (such in the form of loose fibers or fiber
as concrete block or poured concrete), pellets. It should be blown into spaces
it is sometimes feasible to install using special pneumatic equipment.
rigid insulation on the outdoor side. The blown-in material conforms read-
However, if that is not an option, you ily to odd-sized building cavities and
can use rigid insulation boards or attics with wires, ducts, and pipes,
batts to insulate the interior of ma- making it well suited for places where
sonry walls. A home energy profes- it is difficult to effectively install other
sional can help you evaluate options types of insulation.
for your specific home.
Rigid foam insulation is typically
Consider factors such as your climate, more expensive than rolls and batts
9
home design, and budget when or loose-fill insulation, but it is very
selecting insulation for your home. effective in exterior wall sheathing,
A home energy professional may be interior sheathing for basement
able to help you decide what type of walls, and special applications such
insulation is best for you. as attic hatches.
• Required permits and building code Boilers use natural gas, oil, electricity,
compliance or propane to heat water (for steam
or hot water) that is distributed via
• Calculations for proper sizing for pipes to upright radiators, baseboard
your home convectors, or radiant floor tubing.
Combination units can provide space
• Other home efficiency improve- and water heating.
ments that should be made.
For both furnaces and boilers, tell see the section on Passive Solar for
your contractor you are interested more information.
in models with a high annual fuel
utilization efficiency, also known as Visit EnergySaver.gov for more de-
AFUE, which is a measure of heating tailed information on each technology.
equipment efficiency.
Heating Tips
Electric heating includes central • Clean or replace filters on furnaces
forced-air electric furnaces, as well as once a month or as recommended.
wall-mounted or baseboard heating.
Electric heat can be more expensive • Clean warm-air registers, baseboard
than other fuel options. If electricity heaters, and radiators as needed;
is the only choice, heat pumps are make sure they’re not blocked by
preferable in most climates. furniture, carpeting, or drapes.
Heat pumps are an efficient option • Eliminate trapped air from hot-water
for all-electric houses or houses with radiators once or twice a season;
14 central propane or oil. Heat pumps contact a professional if you’re
are generally air-source or ground- unsure how to perform this task.
source and can be used for both
heating and cooling. See the section • Place heat-resistant radiator reflec-
on Heat Pumps for more information. tors between exterior walls and the
radiators.
Wood and pellet-fuel stoves heat
homes using biomass or waste • Open draperies and shades on your
sources. Look for EPA-certified wood south-facing windows during the
stoves and fireplace inserts for day to allow the sunlight to enter
cleaner, more efficient burning. Visit your home. Close them at night to
epa.gov/burnwise for options. reduce the chill from cold windows.
19
If you’re in a climate where temperatures are 40°–90°F all year, consider a heat pump
water heater to cut water heating costs by 50%.
Design Your Home
for Efficiency
When you design a new home or a Also consider ways to save water
renovation, consider how any one when planning and maintaining your
change will affect the energy efficien- landscape.
cy, comfort, durability, health, and
safety of the whole home (known as Shade
a whole-home systems approach). Shading can reduce heat gain from
the sun and cut air conditioning
Energy efficient design approaches
costs. Deciduous trees with high,
and features such as landscaping,
spreading crowns planted on the
windows, passive solar design, and
south side of your home will shade
cool roofs can save you energy
your roof in the summer and allow
and money while appealing to your
warmth from the sun to reach your
design aesthetic.
home in the winter.
The ENERGY STAR Certified New
Trees, shrubs, and groundcover
Homes or the Zero Energy Ready
20 plants can shade the ground and
Home programs are good sources
pavement around the home, cooling
of information if you are designing
the air before it reaches your home’s
a new home. If you are remodeling,
walls and windows. Shrubs and
consider the suggestions in the
trellised vines can also shade walls
“No Regrets Remodeling” guide.
and windows.
See the References section for
links to these resources.
Windbreaks
Landscaping Windbreaks reduce heating costs
by lowering the wind chill near your
Well-designed landscaping can home. Plant your windbreak at a
deliver effective shade, act as a distance from your home of two to
windbreak, and reduce your heating five times the mature height of the
and cooling bills. trees. Choose trees and shrubs that
have low crowns to block wind close
The right landscaping plan depends
to the ground. Dense evergreen trees
on your climate and your home’s
and shrubs planted to the north and
microclimate—the area immediately
northwest of the home are the most
surrounding your home. For low-main-
common type of windbreak. Avoid
tenance, healthy, energy-saving
planting evergreens too close to your
landscaping, use plant species that
home’s south side if you want to
are adapted to the local climate.
collect heat from the winter sun.
Water Conservation Buying Energy Efficient Windows
When choosing plants, determine Look for the ENERGY STAR label
how much water they actually need. when buying new windows. Also
Considering water needs will help you review ratings from the National
choose plants that need less water Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC).
and help you avoid overwatering. NFRC ratings are included on all
Plants that are native to the area will ENERGY STAR certified windows and
usually need less water. Water plants provide a reliable way to determine
in the early morning when evaporation a window’s energy properties and
rates are low. compare products.
Look for whole-unit U-factors and • Repair and weatherize your current
SHGCs, rather than center-of-glass storm windows, if necessary.
U-factors and SHGCs. Whole-unit
numbers more accurately reflect the Warm Weather Window Tips
energy performance of the entire • Install white window shades,
product. drapes, or blinds to reflect heat
away from the house. It is always
Have your windows installed by
best to install exterior shades
trained professionals according to
whenever possible.
manufacturer’s instructions; other-
wise, your warranty may be void. • Close curtains on south- and
west-facing windows during the day.
Cold Weather Window Tips
• Install tight-fitting, insulating • Install awnings on south- and
window shades on windows that west-facing windows to create
feel drafty after weatherizing. shade.
• Apply sun-control or
other reflective films
on south-facing win-
dows to reduce solar
heat gain.
Cool roofs can be made of either white or darker colored materials. While white
roofs are usually cooler, both will reflect near-infrared sunlight and save energy
and money.
Save Electricity and
Use Renewable Energy
We use electricity and fuel to power operations. All of that change is
our homes, communities, and vehi- translating into major benefits for
cles. Even though we all rely on the communities across America.
nation’s power grid for countless
things we do every day, you may not The Smart Home and
be aware that the grid is undergoing
an exciting transformation.
Your Utility
Smart tools, appliances, and utility
As the electric sector rolls out ad- programs can help you automate,
vanced technologies that keep the monitor, and control your home’s
bulk electric system stable, sense energy use and make informed
and recover from outages automat- decisions about your energy con-
ically, and give customers better in- sumption. Some tools you can install
formation, utilities are better able to on your own; other web-based tools
locate and isolate energy disruptions allow you to work with your utility to
to keep the grid operating during an save energy and money. Check with
emergency, reduce the number of your utility to find out what options
customers affected by outages, and are available in your area.
improve service restoration
25
Cooling
Lighting
Heating
Water heating
Refrigerators and freezers
Laundry and dishwashing
Cooking
TVs and PCs
Other uses
0 1 2 3 4
Thousand Kilowatt Hours per Household
to remotely adjust your thermostat or Compare ONLY to other labels with yellow numbers.
Labels with yellow numbers are based on the same test procedures.
operate appliances, and help you find
Estimated Yearly Energy Cost
$67
ways to save energy and money.
2
Smart appliances can be networked Models with
similar features
$57 $74
$25
and operated through an EMS. An All models $97
than to run a compact model more • Only run the dishwasher when it is
frequently. full (not overloaded).
29
• Several wash cycle options, to allow • Let dishes air dry instead of using
you to use more efficient cycles your dishwasher’s heated dry
when dishes aren’t heavily soiled. setting.
The following best practices will save • If your dishwasher has an internal
you energy and money when using heating element that boosts water
your dishwasher: temperature (check the manual
that came with your dishwasher),
• Scrape your dishes and load them set your home’s water heater to
in the dishwasher instead of rinsing 120°F.
or hand washing dishes; ENERGY
STAR certified dishwashers will Refrigerators
boost water temperature to 140°F.
If your refrigerator is more than 10
Your dishes will be disinfected
years old, you could save $270 over
and you will spend less time and
the next five years by replacing it
use less water at the sink—nearly
with a new ENERGY STAR certified
5,000 gallons per year!
refrigerator. In addition to energy
savings, many utilities offer rebates • Cover liquids and wrap foods
for recycling your old refrigerator; visit stored in the refrigerator. Uncovered
energystar.gov for more information. foods release moisture and make
the compressor work harder.
Look for the following when buying a
new refrigerator: • Keep the door closed as much as
possible.
• The ENERGY STAR and EnergyGuide
labels, to compare models and • Place the refrigerator away from
ensure you are buying an efficient the oven or dishwasher and out of
product. direct sunlight.
• The appropriate size for your • Leave a few inches between the
needs. The most energy efficient wall and the refrigerator, and keep
models are usually 16–20 cubic the condenser coils clean on older
feet; larger models use more models. Check the user’s manual
energy. for instructions.
Use the EnergyGuide label or visit Electric dryers can be less expensive
energystar.gov to compare models. to purchase than other dryer options
but may cost more to operate (again,
Warm or cold water is generally suf- depending on local rates). Ventless
ficient to clean your laundry; most of models are available, and most
the energy used by clothes washers standard-size models require a 240
goes to heating water. Using warm volt outlet.
water instead of hot can cut a load’s
energy use in half, and using cold Heat pump dryers can save 20%–
water will save even more. 60% more than conventional clothes
dryers; consumers who use a dryer
Cold water detergents can be helpful a lot and have high electricity rates
to ensure items get clean, and high- have the greatest potential for cost
efficiency detergents (indicated by the savings. Heat pump dryers take in
"he" symbol) should be used when ambient air, heat it, and recirculate
required by the manufacturer. it in the dryer. Moisture is drained
through a condenser to prevent heat
Try to wash full loads and use an
loss. There is no need for a vent,
appropriate water setting if you
but you will need a way to drain the
must wash a small load. Use the
water; sometimes the clothes washer
high-speed or extended spin cycle
32 drain can be used for this.
to remove as much moisture as
possible before drying. Visit energystar.gov for more infor-
mation on each type of ENERGY
Clothes Dryers STAR certified dryer and to compare
When buying a new clothes dryer, models.
look for the ENERGY STAR label.
ENERGY STAR certified clothes dryers When drying laundry, consider air-
use about 20% less energy than drying on clothes lines or drying
conventional models. Many have a racks. When you do use a clothes
moisture sensor that automatically dryer, use lower heat settings even
adjusts the amount of heat being if the drying cycle is longer—you’ll
used and shuts off the dryer when use less energy and be less likely
the load is dry. to over-dry your clothes. Dry towels
and heavier cottons separate from
Several different types of dryers lighter-weight clothes. Try using a
are available. cool-down cycle to allow clothes to
finish drying with the heat remaining
Gas dryers can cost less to operate, in the dryer.
depending on local fuel costs, but
Thousands of clothes dryer fires are Electronics such as televisions, set-
reported each year, and many are top and cable boxes, and audio and
caused by failure to clean the dryer. video equipment also are eligible to
Clean the lint screen after every load earn ENERGY STAR certification. As
and periodically use the long nozzle home entertainment systems offer
tip on your vacuum cleaner to clean increasingly advanced features and
the lint screen slot to improve air are ever more prevalent throughout
circulation and reduce the risk of fire. our homes, they also use more ener-
Inspect your dryer vent to ensure it is gy. A home using two set-top boxes
not blocked. Manufacturers recom- is using significantly more electricity
mend using rigid venting material— than it takes to run a new refrigera-
not plastic vents that may collapse tor. ENERGY STAR certified electron-
and cause blockages. ics use up to 50% less energy than
standard models.
Home Office and
Electronics
The average U.S. household has
more than 20 consumer electronic
products, according to ENERGY STAR.
Many of us use electronics and
home office equipment daily for work,
hobbies, entertainment, and commu-
nication. Using efficient products and
33
taking steps to save energy can save
you money and prolong the life of Advanced power strips prevent
your products. electronics from drawing energy when
they aren’t being used.
When buying electronics, computers,
and other office equipment, look for
the ENERGY STAR label. The following tips can help you save
energy when using computers, office
ENERGY STAR certified computers equipment, and electronics:
and office electronics offer power
management features and efficient • Turn off computers and other equip-
internal and external power supplies ment when they aren’t in use.
to ensure energy savings. A variety
of computer and office products • Use power management settings
earn ENERGY STAR certification, on computers and monitors, which
from desktop computers to laptops will send your equipment into
and tablets to imaging equipment low-power “sleep modes” after
such as copiers, printers, scanners, periods of inactivity. Avoid using
all-in-one devices, fax machines, and screen savers.
mailing machines.
• Make sure that computer games • Set your television to the “home”
that prevent your computer from or “standard” setting to reduce the
going to sleep are not left brightness and reduce your TV’s
running while you aren’t using energy use by 18%–30%.
your computer.
Lighting Facts Per Bulb • For bluer white light or daylight, look
Brightness 450 lumens for bulbs marked 5000–6500 K.
Estimated Yearly Energy Cost $1.08
Based on 3 hrs/day, 11¢/kWh.
Cost depends on rates and use
Light Fixtures
Life Efficient lightbulbs are just one
Based on 3 hrs/day 22.8 years
element of energy efficient lighting.
Light Appearance
Warm Cool Another important consideration
is your light fixtures. Efficient light-
3000 K
Energy Used 9 watts bulbs are most efficient and last
their maximum lifetimes when they on lights. For more privacy, use
are installed in energy efficient light light-colored, loose-weave curtains
fixtures. to allow daylight into the room.
Also, decorate with lighter colors
ENERGY STAR certified light fixtures that reflect daylight.
use 70%–90% less energy, produce
about 70% less heat than traditional • Choose small, energy efficient task
models using incandescent light lights for computer work, reading,
bulbs, and last about 15–25 times or other focused work on desks
longer. They also distribute light more and tables.
efficiently and evenly than standard
fixtures. • Look for LED products and fixtures
for outdoor use such as pathway
You can find hard-wired fixtures in lights, step lights, and porches.
many styles that can be installed Many have features like automatic
on the interior and exterior of your daylight shut-off and motion
home, as well as portable floor, table, sensors. You can also find solar-
and desk lamps. powered outdoor lighting.
39
Renters and rental property owners can benefit from all of the energy-saving tips
throughout this guide.
Vehicles and
Fuels
The vehicle you choose and how you • Before turning on the AC, roll down
drive that vehicle affect your fuel use the windows briefly to let hot air out
and transportation costs. Efficient of the cabin. Turn on the AC with
driving choices can save you money. the windows closed after you begin
driving; it will cool the vehicle faster.
Saving Money on Fuel • Avoid aggressive driving, such as
The following tips can help you im- speeding, rapid acceleration, and
prove your gas mileage or avoid using hard braking. Aggressive driving
gas altogether. can lower your highway gas mileage
by up to 30% and your city mileage
• Minimize idling your car by turning by 40%.
off your engine when your vehicle is
parked. Any shutdown longer than • Avoid high speeds. Driving above
1 minute will save you money, but 50 mph, gas mileage drops rapidly.
try not to exceed 10 engine starts
per day. Idling can use a quarter • Reduce drag by placing items
to a half gallon of fuel per hour, inside the car or trunk rather than
depending on engine size and air on roof racks, which can decrease
conditioner use. your fuel economy by up to 8% in
city driving and up to 25% at Inter-
• Also avoid idling to warm state speeds.
your engine in the winter.
Most manufacturers rec-
ommend driving off gently
after about 30 seconds.
40 The engine will warm up
faster being driven, which
will allow the heat to turn
on sooner and decrease
your fuel costs.
44
Weatherization can reduce energy bills and improve the efficiency, health, and safety of
the home.
References and
Resources
Energy Saver: EnergySaver.gov "A Guide to Energy-Efficient Heating and
Cooling." (2009). ENERGY STAR. Accessed
Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable December 2016: energystar.gov/ia/
Energy: energy.gov/eere partners/publications/pubdocs/
ENERGY STAR: energystar.gov HeatingCoolingGuide%20FINAL_9-4-09.pdf
Renewable Electricity
"A Homeowner's Guide to Going Solar." U.S. Photo credits: Cover: iStock 153702629; p. 1:
Department of Energy Sunshot Program. Thinkstock 83107343B; p. 2: Dennis Schroeder,
Accessed December 2016: energy.gov/eere/ NREL 18037; p. 3: iStock 153172697; p. 7:
sunshot/homeowner-s-guide-going-solar iStock 172463992; p. 8: ENERGY STAR; p. 11:
iStock 611890822; p. 12: iStock 467972281,
Small Wind Guidebook. OpenEI. Accessed 184852152; p. 14: iStock 498489625; p. 16:
December 2016: en.openei.org/wiki/Small_ Thomas Kelsey, U.S. DOE Solar Decathlon, NREL
Wind_Guidebook 38206; p. 17: EnergySaver.gov; p. 18: iStock
160621712; p. 19: Thomas Kelsey, U.S. DOE
Vehicles and Fuels Solar Decathlon, NREL 38119; p. 21: Thomas
Kelsey, U.S. DOE Solar Decathlon, NREL 38345;
Alternative Fueling Station Locator. Accessed
p. 22: ENERGY STAR and NFRC; p. 23: David
December 2016: afdc.energy.gov/locator/
Parsons, NREL 05480; p. 24: Craig Miller
stations/ Productions and DOE, NREL 03505; p. 25: Energy
FuelEconomy.gov. Accessed December 2016: Information Administration; p. 26: Thomas Kelsey,
fueleconomy.gov/ U.S. DOE Solar Decathlon, NREL 38214, iStock
494762513; p. 27: Federal Trade Commission;
p. 28: ENERGY STAR, Thomas Kelsey, U.S. DOE
Financing, Incentives, and Assistance
Solar Decathlon, NREL 38103 p. 29: iStock
203(k) Rehab Mortgage Insurance. 469549810; p. 31: Bethany Sparn, NREL 25545;
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban p. 33: Bethany Sparn, NREL 26761; p. 34: iStock
Development. Accessed June 2017: portal. 604352336; p. 35: Federal Trade Commission;
hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_ p. 37: Thomas Kelsey, U.S. DOE Solar Decathlon,
offices/housing/sfh/203k/203k--df NREL 38228; p. 38: Jeremy Niles, Pika Energy,
NREL 39502; p. 39: Gen-Con, Inc., NREL 09318;
Database of State Incentives for Renewables p. 40: iStock 462090735; p. 42: Erik Nelsen,
and Efficiency (DSIRE). Accessed December NREL 34794, iStock 637941664; p. 44: Dennis
2016: dsireusa.org/ Schroeder, NREL 28704
HomeStyle Energy. Fannie Mae. Accessed
June 2017: fanniemae.com/singlefamily/ NOTICE: This guide was prepared by an agency of
homestyle-energy the United States government. Neither the United
States government nor any agency thereof, nor any
"Find Product Rebates & Other Special of their employees, makes any warranty, express or
Offers." ENERGY STAR. Accessed June 2017: implied, regarding any apparatus, product, or process
energystar.gov/rebate-finder disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe
privately owned rights. Reference herein to any spe-
"Renewable Energy Systems & Energy cific commercial product, process, or service by trade
Efficiency Improvement Loans & Grants." name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does 47
not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement,
U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Energy
recommendation, or favoring by the United States
for America Program. Accessed June 2017. government or any agency thereof. The views and opin-
rd.usda.gov/programs-services/rural-energy- ions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily
america-program-renewable-energy-systems- state or reflect those of the United States government
energy-efficiency or any agency thereof.
48