Home Energy Conservation Checklist

Ever since the late 1980's, energy conservation has been a hot topic of discussion. Conserving energy allowed us to protect the environment, reduce waste and by-products, conserve natural resources, and save money. Today, people have grown more socially responsible with the green movement gaining increased momentum from those in the inner city who look to reduce pollution to rural areas where support for biofuels has sparked an increase in agricultural production.

To help the average consumer, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACE3) publishes a manual called the Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings. Included in this book are methods that homeowners can use to help reduce their energy use helping to save money and the environment. One of the best features of this publication is the checklist that describes what a person can do in their own home to start saving energy. The list is broken down into three categories, what a person can do today, what can be done this week, and what can be done this month.

Where this checklist is a valuable resource for energy-efficiency, it is only a checklist. To help explain the process a bit more, I have taken the steps provided by the ACE3 and modified them to explain each step in greater detail with examples for each.

The list of things to do today can be done very easily. Many of these steps require a trip to the local hardware store to pick up some necessary items. The suggested items are:

• A Water Heater Insulating Blanket. These range in price between $5 US - $20 US.
• Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs. This usually average between $4 US - $12 US per bulb depending on the size.
• Furnace Filters. Expect to spend between $5 US - $20 US for filters. The more expensive ones filter out more allergens than less expensive filters.
• Air Conditioner Filters. These are in the same price range as the furnace filters.

  Checklist for Today
  

1. Turn down the temperature on your water heater. By reducing the temperature of your water heater by 10 degrees Fahrenheit, you can save between 3 to 5 percent in energy costs. Most water heaters are set around 135 degrees Fahrenheit however the recommended setting for maximum efficiency is 120 - 115 degrees Fahrenheit.
   
2. Check the R-value of your water heater. The R-value is a measure of thermal resistance in insulation materials. If your water heater has an R-value of at least R-24 you are in good shape. If it is lower, install a water heater insulation blanket. Installing one can reduce standby heat losses by 25%–45%. This will save you around 4%–9% in water heating costs. If you are unsure of the R-value of your water heater, touch the side of it. If it is hot to the touch, the insulation blanket will help.
   
3. Use the energy-saving settings on major appliances. A good example of this is your washing machine. Over 90 percent of the energy use of a washing machine comes from heating the water. As often as possible, wash clothes in warm or cold water. Check your refrigerator and freezer as well. Make sure they are set to an efficient temperature. Set your dishwasher to air dry rather than using heat.
   
4. Check the filters in your furnace and air-conditioner. These filters should last no more than 90 days when used normally, during months of heavy use their lifespan is even shorter. Replace disposable ones and clean reusable filters. Clean filters let the appliance work more effectively and efficiently.
   
5. Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs. Not only do compact fluorescent light bulbs cut energy costs by 75 percent, but if each person in the US replaced just one incandescent light bulb with an energy efficient compact fluorescent light bulb eliminate the equivalent of the emissions created by one million cars.
   
   If you still have some time, check on your major appliances. If it is approaching the time when you will be replacing them, research more energy efficient models that carry the EnergyStar rating.

Now that you have performed the steps listed in the basic checklist, it is time to move on. The first thing you should do this week to make your home more energy efficient is purchase and install any items left from the To Do Today checklist.

Checklist

1. Caulk leaky windows. Windows that leak allow cold or hot air to escape from the house. This makes your furnace and air conditioner work harder to keep the home at the desired temperature. To test for air leaks around windows, light an incense stick and pass it over the window seams. If the smoke travels horizontally, there is a leak.
   
2. Assess your home's heating and cooling systems. You are looking for parts that may need to be replaced or upgraded.

Now that you have taken care of the items on the first two checklists, you can tackle the checklist of things that can be done this month to help save energy.

1. Collect your utility bills. Once you have electric bills and fuel bills collected look for trends in your costs. Target your largest bill for further conservation techniques. For example; if your electric bill is extremely high during the summer, look to reduce your air conditioner use, install a programmable thermostat, etc. Start planning for further conservation based on what you find when going over your bills.
   
2. Seal up air leaks throughout the house. You can use the test method described in the To Do This Week checklist. Start by applying caulk and weatherstripping to doors and windows that leak air. You also want to caulk and seal air leaks where plumbing, ducting, or electrical wiring penetrates through exterior walls, floors, ceilings, and soffits over cabinets. Another way to prevent air leaks is to install rubber gaskets behind outlet and switch plates on exterior walls.
   
3. Inspect insulation in the attic and crawlspace. First, look for dirty spots in your insulation. Many times these dirty spots indicate holes where air leaks into and out of your house. You can seal the holes by stapling sheets of plastic over the holes and caulking the edges of the plastic. Next, check to see if your insulation is up to par by using the Department of Energy's insulation calculator. This tool will help you determine the right amount and type of insulation for your zip code.
4. Insulate hot water pipes and ducts in unheated areas of your home. Obviously, if these pipes and ducts are left uninsulated, they are loosing heat. Whatever is heating the water or air traveling through them is working even harder and running less efficiently as a result.
   
   Keep in mind that these checklists should be revisited every so often to help you conserve energy in your home. Whether you are taking on this project as a way to save money, or as an act of social responsibilty, this guide can help you make your home as efficient as possible.

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