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| Cool Ways to Curb Air Conditioning Costs |
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| May 02, 2011 - Energy and Insulation Solutions |
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(ARA) - Cooling a home during the summer with a window air conditioning unit can account for nearly 50 percent of an average homeowner's utility bill. And in the hottest regions of the country, cooling off with central air can generate up to 70 percent of your home's utility bill.
But not to fear: There are several ways to curb your electricity use this summer. One simple way is to turn up the thermostat by one degree during warm weather. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that you can save up to 3 percent on your summer energy bill for every degree you raise your thermostat for 24 hours. Set your thermostat between 72 and 78 degrees. Each degree setting below 78 will increase your electricity use by as much as 4 percent - and that's sure to add up to several hundred dollars over many hot summer days.
Other ways to reduce your home's cooling costs include making sure your air conditioning unit is running at peak performance, replacing the HVAC filter at least every three months or as needed, turning on ceiling fans and making sure they are blowing down (not up), opening windows during cooler evening hours, closing curtains and blinds where sunlight radiates heat into the home and sealing all air leaks that let cool air escape outside.
If you like do-it-yourself home improvement projects, installing a radiant barrier in your attic is one of the most effective energy-saving projects that's sure to help you save precious dollars on your air conditioning bill. What's more, you can receive a 10 percent tax credit - up to $500 - from the government.
A radiant barrier works in your home similar to the way a reflective foil car shade works in your car. Just as a car shade keeps the interior of an auto cooler when it's parked in the sun, radiant barriers keep your home's interior cooler when installed in your attic, where the sun's radiant energy is absorbed.
New do-it-yourself energy-saving home improvement products like Energy Star-certified Enerflex Radiant Barrier are easy for homeowners to install themselves, and they quickly realize reduced monthly electric bills. Enerflex Radiant Barrier is unique in that one person can install it, without the need for tools, as it flexes into place between the rafters on the underside of a roof.
An attic radiant barrier is a safe, proven building material for reducing the strain on a home's air conditioner. And that leads to significant energy savings. When you can spend a few hours over a weekend and complete a project that saves money month after month, it's hard to ignore the benefits.
Professionals in the construction, roofing, energy and heating and cooling industries have long known the benefits of installing a radiant barrier, says Rick Jordan of EcoRite Products, a major radiant barrier manufacturer. Only recently have products been manufactured specifically for the DIY installer market.
Radiant barriers reduce the radiant heat gain that permeates a home when the sun beats down on it. Studies on installed radiant barrier products show attic temperatures are typically reduced up to 30 percent during the summer months, which can translate to a 30-degree heat reduction on hot summer days. In fact, a radiant barrier is most effective in the summer months as it dramatically reduces the workload on your air conditioning unit. In general, installing a radiant barrier can help homeowners reduce air conditioner use and save as much as 20 percent on electrical bills.
"Based on my 30 years of experience in teaching energy efficiency, I believe that if you live in the South and your ductwork is in the attic, you will greatly benefit from installing Enerflex Radiant Barrier," says Doug Rye, a licensed architect and the foremost expert on home energy efficiency.
"We installed Enerflex Radiant Barrier in an Alabama home last summer, and determined that the attic temperature was nearly 30 degrees cooler than before. When the attic temperature and the ductwork are 30 degrees cooler, one should have better comfort and lower utility bills," says Rye.
Easily installed Enerflex Radiant Barrier makes spending less on air conditioning a breeze - something to think about as gas prices and other expenses zoom in on your pocketbook.
Visit www.Enerflexfoil.com for more information on radiant barriers or to find a retailer in your area.
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| Easy Ways to Save On Utility Bills |
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| January 03, 2011 - Energy and Insulation Solutions |
(ARA) - Saving money around the house continues to be a major pursuit for homeowners nationwide. And with a focus on going green, savvy homeowners are looking for ways to cut energy use to reduce utility bills and their home's carbon footprint.
There are dozens of ways to curb energy use around the home. Sealing drafts by applying caulk and weather-stripping around windows and doors, and applying foam sealer around drafty outlets and piping leading outside can save up to 5 percent on heating costs alone. Most important, installing the proper amount of attic insulation with the proper airflow is generally the best way to save on home energy use.
If you are among the millions of Americans who enjoy do-it-yourself home improvement projects, installing a radiant barrier in the attic space above your home is one of the most effective energy-saving projects to consider.
While radiant barriers are not a new concept, new products on the market are making it easier for homeowners to install them and realize reductions in their energy bills each month. Overall, a radiant barrier can save an average homeowner up to 15 percent on utility bills.
The benefits of installing a radiant barrier have long been known by professionals in the construction, roofing, heating and cooling and energy industries, says Rick Jordan of EcoRite Products, a major radiant barrier manufacturer. Only recently have products been manufactured specifically for the DIY installer market.
Jordan explains that a radiant barrier is a product that is installed in the attic - between the rafters on the underside of a roof - to reduce the radiant heat gain that permeates a home when the sun is beating down on it. Radiant barrier, a particularly effective product for summer months, also reduces heat loss from a roof during the winter, reducing the workload on your furnace and lowering your heating bill.
Early, less-effective versions of radiant barriers included spray-on metallic paint, reflective chips or products known simply as "attic foil." Installation was cumbersome, often requiring special tools, adhesives or multiple installers, and the low flash point on the older type of foil created added dangers in the event of a house fire.
It's important to choose a radiant barrier that is Energy Star-approved and made of metalized film, not perforated aluminum foil. Today's radiant barriers are far more sophisticated, yet some are so simple to install that no tools are required.
Enerflex Radiant Barrier is an example of new radiant barrier technology. The product is available nationwide through a network of lumber and building materials dealers, as well as through major retailers. The product is Energy Star-approved and was named one of the "Best New Products of 2010" by Professional Remodeler, a leading trade magazine.
Enerflex Radiant Barrier comes in rolls or panels, pre-cut for 16-inch and 24-inch widths for installation ease. The radiant barrier panels literally flex or "snap" into place between the rafters, with no tools needed. This makes it possible for installation to be a simple, one-person, do-it-yourself job that can be completed in a matter of hours.
"Studies on installed radiant barrier products show that attic temperatures are typically reduced by a full 30 percent during the summer months, which can translate to 30 degrees on a hot summer day," says B.J. Damstra of Universal Forest Products, one of the nation's largest building products manufacturers.
"In really hot climates, homeowners are finding additional uses for radiant barriers. In Texas and Arizona, for example, homeowners keep garages cool by installing the product on the inside of garage doors and walls. Outbuildings on farms or ranches, or outdoor workshops can also be kept cooler in the summer when the product is installed between rafters under the roof," Damstra says.
Jordan of EcoRite Products says adding a radiant barrier in the cooler months makes installation safe and more comfortable for the installer.
Radiant barriers are a safe, proven tool for reducing energy bills and reducing the strain on a home's HVAC system. And when you can spend a few hours over a weekend and complete a project that saves money month after month, it's hard to ignore the benefits.
Visit www.enerflexfoil.com for more information on radiant barriers or to find a retailer in your area.
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| Choosing The Best Water Heater for Your Lifestyle |
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| August 03, 2010 - Energy and Insulation Solutions |
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(ARA) - When ranking household appliances that consume the most energy, no one is surprised to see heating and air conditioning units at the top of the list. On the other hand, many people are surprised to learn that their water heater ranks at No. 2.
"Monthly energy costs have become an important factor in the decision-making process for homeowners looking for a new water heater," says Ed Begley, Jr., actor and environmentalist. "That's why manufacturers are introducing new technologies that increase the energy efficiency of their products." In order to find the right water heater for your lifestyle, Begley points out that you need to consider both the performance of the machine and the monthly energy costs associated with it.
Your first option is a conventional water heater. These models typically include a glass-lined tank that holds anywhere from 30 to 120 gallons of hot water at a time. A 40-gallon tank is generally ideal for two or three people, while a larger family may need a 50- to 80-gallon tank.
A tank-type water heater can run on electricity, natural gas or propane. A natural gas model is generally the least expensive in terms of monthly energy costs, with an electric model costing up to three times as much to heat the same amount of water. Most homeowners simply select the type of water heater that matches their current fuel source.
A conventional tank-type water heater can operate at anywhere from 75 to 80 percent efficiency, depending on the brand. In other words, 75 cents of your heating dollar goes into heating the water, and the other 25 cents is lost.
Within the past 10 years, manufacturers have begun promoting another option - the tankless water heater. These models typically deliver about 82 percent energy efficiency. Compared to a conventional water heater, your savings will typically range from $30 to $75 per year.
A tankless water heater uses a very large burner to heat the water as it passes through a copper pipe on its way to your sink, washing machine or shower. These models are measured in gallons per minute.
If you don't use a lot of hot water, it can run almost indefinitely without running out. However, if you exceed the capacity of the machine, you will notice a drop in either temperature or water pressure.
A drawback to a tankless model is the initial cost. The unit typically has a price tag between $800 to $2,000, plus another $1,000 to $2,500 for installation. Compare that to a conventional water heater, which usually runs about $300 to $500 for the unit and another $300 to $500 for installation. That all adds up to a $1,200 to $3,500 difference.
The third option is a hybrid unit. As the name implies, the hybrid combines the technologies of a conventional and tankless water heater. The result is a product that performs better than both technologies with energy efficiency at 90 percent or above.
A hybrid allows you to have back-to-back showers or simultaneous showers because of the stored hot water in the hybrid design. The installation of a hybrid water heater is the same as a conventional model, however, the unit itself can cost $1,200 to $1,800.
"For the absolute 'greenest' option available today, homeowners should consider a solar thermal water heating system," Begley says. "These units include a solar thermal collector that goes on the roof of the home in order to supply up to 70 percent of the total energy needed to run the unit." A solar thermal system is typically more expensive, but right now they are eligible for a federal tax credit of 30 percent of the total installed cost in addition to other state and local utility rebates.
Homeowners looking for a conventional electric model have a new "hybrid" option to consider. "These water heaters include a heat pump that literally pulls heat out of the surrounding air, like an air conditioner in reverse," Begley says. "As a result, they are more than twice as energy efficient as a traditional electric model." This efficiency can translate to savings over $360 each year. These hybrid electric models qualify for the federal tax credit and there are also additional state and local utility rebate programs to encourage the adoption of these products.
If your current model is more than eight years old, you may even consider proactively replacing the older, less efficient model for one of the newer, more energy-efficient models and start saving right away.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
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