Tips on Saving Money and Energy in Your Home
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Tips on Saving Money and Energy in Your Home
Contents
1 Save Energy and Money Today
2 Audit Your Home’s Energy Use
Professional Energy Audits, DIY Energy Audits, Your Whole-House Plan
6 Weatherize Your Home
Air Sealing, Insulation, Energy Efficient New Construction and Additions
11 Heat and Cool Your Home Efficiently
Smart and Programmable Thermostats, Air Ducts, Buying Heating and Cooling
Systems, Home Heating, Heat Pumps, Home Cooling, Water Heating
20 Design Your Home for Efficiency
Landscaping, Windows, Passive Solar Home Design, Cool Roofs
25 Save Electricity and Use Renewable Energy
The Smart Home and Your Utility, Appliances, Home Office and Electronics,
Lighting, Renewable Electricity
39 Renters and Rental Property Owners
Renters, Rental Property Owners
40 Vehicles and Fuels
Saving Money on Fuel, Buying and Driving Fuel-Efficient and Alternative
Fuel Vehicles
43 Financing, Incentives, and Assistance
Financing, Incentives, Weatherization and Home Energy Assistance
45 References and Resources
Save Energy and
Money Today
You have the power to save money well as information on larger projects
and energy in your own home. Saving that will help save you money over 1
energy reduces our nation’s demand the long term.
for the resources needed to make
energy, and improving your energy Find even more information about
efficiency is like adding another clean saving money and energy at home by
energy source to our electric power visiting our website, EnergySaver.gov.
grid. The result is reduced utility bills To learn more about U.S. Department
and money in your pocket. Improving of Energy (DOE) programs in energy
your energy efficiency can also im- efficiency and renewable energy, visit
prove the comfort of your home and DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and
your quality of life. Renewable Energy website at energy.
This guide shows you how easy it is gov/eere.
to reduce your energy use at home
and on the road. You’ll find quick tips
you can use to start saving today, as
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.
A more detailed home energy audit
Professional Energy Audits will include diagnostic tests (such as
A professional home energy audit a house air leakage test, duct air leak-
determines how much energy your age test, or infrared scan) to identify
home uses and evaluates steps you additional areas for improvement.
can take to make your home more
energy efficient. Some audits take Work with a certified energy pro-
about an hour, do not require spe- fessional trained in the use of
cialized equipment, and are relatively diagnostic equipment that can find
inexpensive. More thorough audits air leaks, areas lacking insulation,
require about four hours to complete, and inefficient or malfunctioning
require specialized equipment, and equipment. The energy professional
are more expensive, but they provide
more detailed information on your
home’s energy use.
Some home energy professionals
provide a simple assessment called
the Home Energy Score. Like a miles-
per-gallon rating for a car, the Home
Energy Score is an easy-to-produce
rating designed to help homeowners
and homebuyers gain useful informa-
tion about a home’s energy perfor-
mance. The Home Energy Score
helps homeowners, buyers, and rent- A professional home energy audit
ers to compare U.S. homes in terms evaluates your home’s energy use and
provides steps to make your home
of estimated energy performance. more efficient.
analyzes how well your home’s energy 2. Complete recommended
systems work together and compares improvements: Qualified con-
the analysis to your utility bills. A tractors install the home energy
detailed energy audit will help you professional’s recommendations.
use a whole-house systems ap- Some home energy professionals
proach when making improvements can provide recommendations for
or remodeling. Learn more about this contractors to complete the work.
approach in the Design for Efficiency
section of this guide. 3. Evaluate results: During this final
phase, also known as the “test
out,” safety tests and visual 3
inspections are used to evaluate
the contractor’s work. Not all
home energy professionals offer
this service; ask yours whether
it is part of the energy audit or
if you can request this follow-up
evaluation.
Find a home energy professional
to help you obtain a more detailed
energy audit by visiting Home
Performance with ENERGY STAR®
A home energy professional may conduct
a thermographic inspection to find air at energystar.gov/hpwes. You’ll be
leaks in the home. able to find local programs that
work with qualified, vetted contractors
An in-depth energy audit includes trained to diagnose and improve
three steps: your home according to the latest
building technologies and standards.
1. Interview, tests, and inspection: Home Performance with ENERGY
In this phase, also known as the STAR programs are required to have
“test in,” a home energy profes- the quality of the contractors’ work
sional interviews you about your checked by third parties to make
concerns (comfort, high energy sure homeowners receive services
bills, etc.), conducts safety and that comply with industry standards
air leak tests, visually inspects and program requirements. Programs
equipment and insulation, and may be able to help you find rebates,
checks for signs of mold and a low-interest loan, or other financial
moisture. The home energy incentives.
professional then provides
recommendations for steps that You can also obtain detailed audits
will reduce your energy bills and and contracting services from home
improve your home’s comfort. energy professionals certified by the
Residential Services Network • Are you using window coverings
(resnet.us) or the Building Perfor- for maximum heating, cooling, and
mance Institute (bpihomeowner.org). lighting benefit? See the Windows
Some utilities may operate programs section for more information.
that offer assessments and may
provide access to contractors who • Could you take advantage of
work with the utility. time-of-day electricity rates and
complete activities that use large
amounts of energy—such as
DIY Energy Audits laundry and dishwashing—at night?
4 You can use the Home Energy Saver See the section on Saving Electric-
tool to conduct a do-it-yourself ity and Use Renewable Energy for
audit. Home Energy Saver can also more on these utility offerings.
help you plan next steps following
your DIY energy audit (hes.lbl.gov/ • How can you adjust your heating
consumer). and cooling to save energy?
See the Heat and Cool Your Home
Efficiently section for more
Your Whole-House Plan information.
After you know where your home is
losing energy, use your findings to Plan your projects. Make a timeline
make a plan. Create a whole-house, of projects to do now, in the near
systems-based plan that considers future, and over the long term. Start
how any one change will affect the by sealing air leaks and move on to
energy efficiency, comfort, durability, other weatherization projects; see
health, and safety of the whole the Weatherization section for
house. Remember that changes in information. Also ask yourself the
your energy usage habits are import- following questions:
ant, but a plan that considers how all • Where are the greatest energy
features of your house work together losses in your home?
can achieve the greatest savings.
• What projects would provide
Plan your habit changes. Consider the greatest return on time and
the questions below and review the money investment?
other sections of this guide for addi-
tional ideas. • How long will it take for an invest-
ment in energy efficiency to pay for
• Do you forget to turn off lights and itself in energy cost savings? The
electronics? Which items could be Home Energy Saver tool provides
unplugged when not in use? See estimates for return on investment,
the Home Office and Electronics yearly savings, and payback times
section for more information. (hes.lbl.gov/consumer).
• How long do you plan to own Spring
your current home?
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
• What would help make your
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
home most comfortable now?
What projects should you plan –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
for the future?
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
• What can you do yourself?
What should you hire out? –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
What is your budget? 5
Summer
Purchase materials and
complete projects. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
• Search for federal, state, local, and –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
utility incentives such as tax credits
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
and rebates on the Database of
State Incentives for Renewables –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
and Efficiency (dsireusa.org). See
the section on Financing, Incen- –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
tives, and Assistance for more
Fall
information.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
• Visit EnergySaver.gov for guides
and videos that show you how to –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
complete DIY projects, including
caulking, weatherstripping, installing –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
storm windows, and improving your
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
water heater efficiency. See the
Weatherization section for more –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
steps to get started.
Winter
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
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:
• Weatherstrip doors and windows.
Air Sealing
6 • Caulk and seal air leaks where
Air leaks are among the greatest plumbing, ducting, or electrical
sources of energy loss in a home. wiring comes through walls, floors,
One of the quickest energy- and ceilings, and soffits over cabinets.
money-saving tasks you can do is
caulk, seal, and weatherstrip all • Install foam gaskets behind outlet
seams, cracks, and openings to the and switch plates on walls.
outside. By sealing uncontrolled air
leaks, you can save 10%–20% on • Use foam sealant on larger gaps
your heating and cooling bills. Follow- around window trims, baseboards,
ing your energy audit, you may have a and other places where air may
number of recommended energy- leak out.
saving projects you are considering.
• Check for open fireplace dampers
Prioritize weatherization projects to
and make sure they properly close.
quickly improve the efficiency and
comfort of your home. • Consider an inflatable chimney
balloon to seal your fireplace flue
To identify air leaks, check around
when not in use. Fireplace flues
your walls, ceilings, windows, doors,
are made from metal, and repeated
lighting and plumbing fixtures,
heating and cooling can cause
switches, and electrical outlets. Look
the metal to warp or break over
for gaps, improperly applied caulk
time, creating a channel for air
and weatherstripping, and doors and
loss. Inflatable chimney balloons
windows that don’t close tightly.
are made from durable plastic and
On a windy day, carefully hold a lit can be removed easily and reused
incense stick or a smoke pen next to hundreds of times. If you forget to
your windows, doors, electrical boxes, remove the balloon before making
plumbing fixtures, electrical outlets, a fire, the balloon will automatically
ceiling fixtures, attic hatches, and deflate within seconds of coming
into contact with heat.
Where to Air Seal in a Home
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
• Seal air leaks around fireplace to maintain a comfortable tempera-
chimneys, furnaces, and gas-fired ture in your home.
water heater vents with fire-resistant
materials such as sheet metal Adding insulation between the indoors
or sheetrock and furnace cement and the outdoors reduces that energy
caulk. demand, improves the comfort of your
home, and saves you money.
• Install an insulated box to seal
leaky attic stairs. Visit EnergySaver. R-Value
gov for DIY instructions. An insulation’s R-value is a measure
of its resistance to heat flow; the
Insulation higher the R-value, the greater the
insulating effectiveness. R-value is
After you complete air sealing,
dependent on the type of insulation
consider whether you need to add
and the thickness. When purchasing
insulation. Insulation is essential for
insulation, refer to the insulation
reducing heat flow through a home’s
packaging or the paper backing of
building envelope (the parts of the
rolled insulation to find the R-value.
home that separate the interior from
the outside elements, including the
How Much Insulation?
walls, roof, and foundation). The
greater the difference between the Consult the ENERGY STAR recom-
indoor and the outdoor tempera- mended insulation levels for retrofit-
tures, the more energy it will take ting existing wood-framed buildings
U.S. Department of Energy Recommended*
Total R-Values for New Wood-Framed Houses
8
All of Alaska in Zone 7 except for the
following Boroughs in Zone 8:
Bethel Northwest Arctic Zone 1 includes
Dellingham Southeast Fairbanks Hawaii, Guam, Puerto
Rico, and the Virgin
Fairbanks N. Star Wade Hampton
Islands
Nome Yukon-Koyukuk
North Slope
Add Insulation to Attic
Existing 3–4 Inches
Zone Uninsulated Attic Floor
of Insulation
1 R30 to R49 R25 to R30 R13
2 R30 to R60 R25 to R38 R13 to R19
3 R30 to R60 R25 to R38 R19 to R25
4 R38 to R60 R38 R25 to R30
5 to 8 R49 to R60 R38 to R49 R25 to R30
Wall Insulation: Whenever exterior siding is removed on an
uninsulated wood-frame wall:
• Drill holes in the sheathing and blow insulation into the empty wall cavity before
installing the new siding, and
• Zones 3–4: Add R5 insulative wall sheathing beneath the new siding
• Zones 5–8: Add R5 to R6 insulative wall sheathing beneath the new siding.
insulated wood-frame wall:
• For Zones 4 to 8: Add R5 insulative sheathing before installing the new siding.
* 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 STARto 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.
The Home Energy Saver tool can Foam-in-place insulation can be
also provide recommendations for blown into walls, on attic surfaces,
your home (hes.lbl.gov/consumer). or under floors to insulate and re-
duce air leakage. You can use small
Types of Insulation pressurized cans of foam-in-place
Insulation is made from a variety of insulation to reduce air leakage in
materials, and it usually comes in holes and cracks, such as window
four types: rolls and batts, loose-fill, and door frames and around electrical
rigid foam, and foam-in-place. The and plumbing penetrations. There are
type of insulation you should choose two types of foam-in-place insulation:
depends on how you will use it and closed-cell and open-cell. Both are
on your budget. Also visit Energy typically made with polyurethane.
Saver.gov for more information about
Caution: installing foam insulation
types of insulation.
requires that you wear personal pro-
Rolls and batts—or blankets—are tective equipment, maintain adequate
flexible products made from mineral ventilation, and take other safety
fibers, such as fiberglass and rock measures. Consider hiring a profes-
wool, as well as recycled fibers such sional to install foam insulation.
as denim. They are available in
Use higher R-value insulation, such
widths suited to standard spacing of
as spray foam, on exterior walls and
wall studs and attic or floor joists.
in cathedral ceilings to get more
insulation with less thickness.If your attic has enough insulation STAR Certified New Home or a Zero
and proper air sealing, and your Energy Ready Home.
home still feels drafty and cold in
the winter or too warm in the sum- An ENERGY STAR Certified New
mer, your heating or air conditioning Home has integrated systems and
system may not function properly, features such as high efficiency heat-
or you may need to add insulation ing and cooling, complete thermal
to the exterior walls. Consult with a enclosure systems, efficient lighting
home energy professional to evalu- and appliances, and water protection
ate whether your HVAC system has systems. Independent inspectors
design or equipment issues, or if you ensure that the home meets the
need additional insulation. program requirements. Homes
earning the ENERGY STAR label use
If you replace the exterior siding on 15%–30% less energy than typical
10
your home, consider adding insula- new homes and even more when
tion at the same time. compared to most resale homes
on the market today. Learn more at
Air Sealing and Insulation energystar.gov/newhomes.
Projects
A Zero Energy Ready Home is so en-
See the References section for links ergy efficient that a small renewable
to DIY air sealing and insulation proj- energy system can offset all or most
ect steps and instructional videos. of its annual energy consumption.
Zero Energy Ready Home require-
Energy Efficient New ments include all ENERGY STAR
Construction and Additions Certified Home requirements, plus
additional requirements that bring
In many jurisdictions (but not all), if unparalleled performance. DOE Zero
you build a new home or an addition Energy Ready Homes are verified by
to your current home, the contractor a qualified third party and are at
must meet the requirements of the least 40%–50% more energy efficient
local building code related to energy than a typical new home. Learn more
efficiency. Building energy codes are at energy.gov/eere/buildings/zero-
issued by the International Energy energy-ready-home.
Codes Commission (IECC) and up-
dated every 3 years. State and local
jurisdictions adopt the IECC codes
and may choose to amend them.
Ask your local building code office
which version of the IECC your con-
tractor is required to follow. If the
local code is older than the latest
IECC, consider building an ENERGYHeat and Cool Your
Home Efficiently
Heating and cooling together are the A smart thermostat is a Wi-Fi enabled
largest energy users in your home, device that automatically adjusts
typically making up about 35%–40% heating and cooling temperature set-
of your energy use. tings for optimal performance. Smart
thermostats that earn the ENERGY
No matter what kind of heating and STAR label have been independently
cooling system you have in your certified, based on actual field data,
house, you can save money and to deliver energy savings.
increase your comfort by properly
using, maintaining, and upgrading
your equipment. But remember, any
upgrades to heating and cooling
equipment should consider the effect 11
on all areas of the house (known as
a whole-house, systems-based ap-
proach) to maximize energy savings
and ensure health and safety. Most
importantly, work with a contractor
to ensure that the upgraded heating Log in remotely to control your
thermostat while away from home.
and cooling system is both properly
sized for your house and installed to
deliver its full capacity. Smart thermostats provide conve-
nience, insight, and control. While
Smart and Programmable system designs vary, the following
are common smart thermostat
Thermostats features:
Being smart about how you control
your temperature settings will help • Learning the temperature you like
you save money and stay comfortable and establishing a schedule that
in your home. You can save as much automatically adjusts to energy-
as 10% per year on heating and saving temperatures when you are
cooling by turning your thermostat asleep or away
down 7°–10°F for 8 hours a day in
• Providing data on home energy use
the fall and winter; turn it up in the
that you can track and manage
spring and summer. (If you have a
heat pump, don’t do this without a • Allowing you to control home heat-
smart or programmable thermostat ing and cooling remotely through
designed for use with heat pumps.) your smartphone or tablet.ENERGY STAR certified smart ther-
mostats are also designed to be
compatible with incentive programs
offered by some utilities. These
incentives reward customers in ways
that help utilities manage energy
availability and reliability.
A programmable thermostat will au-
tomatically turn on the heating or air
conditioning at times you schedule.
Programmable thermostats can store Seal ducts at joints to prevent heated
or cooled air from leaking out or
multiple daily settings that you can unconditioned air from leaking into
manually override without affecting the ducts.
the rest of the daily or weekly program.
Ducts that leak air into an attic or
Smart thermostats are generally
crawl space can add hundreds of
12 easier to use and have more report-
dollars a year to your heating and
ing and interactive features than
cooling bills. Insulating and sealing
programmable thermostats. Program-
ducts in unconditioned spaces is
mable thermostats need to be set up
usually very cost effective. If the
to turn the temperature up or down
supply ducts are leaking, heated
on a schedule and usually don’t have
or cooled air can be forced out of
interactive features, but they are
unsealed joints and lost. In addition,
cheaper than smart thermostats.
unconditioned air can be drawn into
return ducts through unsealed joints.
Air Ducts
If you are installing a new duct
Air ducts are one of the most im-
system, talk to your contractor about
portant systems in your home, as
options for locating the ducts in
they carry the air from your home’s
furnace and central air conditioner
to each room. If the ducts are poorly
sized, poorly sealed, or poorly insu-
lated, they are likely contributing to
higher energy bills.
You can often address discomfort
from heating and cooling by fixing
blocked registers, stuck dampers,
or disconnected or damaged ducts,
or by replacing register grilles that
don’t direct the air adequately. Insulate ducts that are located in
unconditioned spaces.conditioned spaces or insulating any New energy efficient heating or
ducts that will run outside conditioned cooling equipment alone can reduce
spaces. energy use by 20% or more, but
combining a new system with rec-
Hire a qualified professional to ommended insulation, air sealing,
perform changes and repairs to a and thermostat settings can cut your
duct system. All duct sealing should heating and cooling bills in half.
be tested by a qualified professional
to ensure combustion safety and Read ENERGY STAR’s “A Guide to
proper air flow. Energy-Efficient Heating and Cooling”
to learn how to work with a certified
Buying Heating and technician to ensure a quality installa-
tion. (See References for URL.)
Cooling Systems
If you plan to buy a new heating or Home Heating
cooling system, ask your contractor
about the latest technologies on the Consider replacing your existing
market. See our Financing, Incentives, heating system if any of the following 13
and Assistance section for informa- are true:
tion on searching for incentives.
• Your heating system is more than
15 years old.
When buying a new heating or cooling
system, look for the ENERGY STAR • The system is broken and repairs
and EnergyGuide labels to compare would cost more than half the cost
efficiency and ensure quality. of replacing it.
• The heating system is very
Your contractor should provide you inefficient.
with information on the following:
Furnaces are the most common way
• Safety and cost effectiveness of to heat a home in the United States.
repair versus replacement Central forced-air furnaces distribute
heated air through the house via
• Heating and cooling system options
ducts. Most are fueled by natural gas;
• Fuel types and prices in your region others use electricity, oil, or propane.
• 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.
Active solar heating uses the sun to
heat air or liquids. The heat is then
ducted or blown into living space
or stored for later use. Solar water
heaters can preheat water for radia-
tors or radiant floor heat. Both liquid
and air systems can supplement
forced air systems (i.e., furnaces or
heat pumps).
Passive solar home design can also
improve the comfort of the home and
reduce heating and cooling costs; Clean or replace furnace filters once a
month or as needed.Heat Pumps heating and cooling technologies
currently available.
Heat pumps can be used for both
home heating and home cooling. Absorption heat pumps are driven
They are the most efficient form of by a heat source such as natural
electric heating, providing up to three gas, propane, solar-heated water, or
times more heat than the energy they geothermal-heated water. They usually
use. Heat pumps can reduce your only make sense in homes without
electricity use for heating by approxi- an electricity source.
mately 50% compared to electric fur-
naces or electric baseboard heaters. A dual-source heat pump combines
an air-source heat pump with a
A heat pump heats your home by geothermal heat pump. These can be
collecting heat from the air, water, or less expensive than a single geother-
ground outside and concentrating it mal unit and work almost as well.
for use inside. It does double duty as
a central air conditioner by collecting Heat Pump Tips
the heat inside your house and • Do not set back the heat pump’s 15
pumping it outside. thermostat manually if it causes
Air-source heat pumps transfer heat backup electric-resistance heating
between your house and the outside to come on. This type of heating is
air. They are the most common type more expensive.
of heat pump and can be used in all • Install or have a professional
climates. install a smart or programmable
Cold-climate air-source heat pumps thermostat with functions suitable
are designed specifically for cold for a heat pump.
climates. • Clean or change filters once a
Ductless mini-split heat pumps are month or as needed, and maintain
air-source heat pumps that can be the system according to manufac-
installed in homes or additions with- turer’s instructions.
out ducts. They are small in size and
offer flexibility for zoning or heating Home Cooling
and cooling individual rooms. Although air conditioning is often used
Geothermal (or ground source) heat for home cooling, there are many
pumps transfer heat between your alternatives that provide cooling with
house and the ground or a nearby less energy use. A combination of
water source. Because they move proper insulation, energy-efficient win-
heat that already exists, geothermal dows and doors, daylighting, shading,
heat pumps are among the most fans, and ventilation can often keep
energy efficient and comfortable homes cool with a minimum of energy
use in all but the hottest climates.Air conditioner options include room through the attic. Use the fan during
air conditioners, ductless mini-split cooler times of the day to most effec-
or multi-split air conditioners, and tively cool down your house.
central air conditioning. Look for
ENERGY STAR certified air condition- Evaporative coolers, or “swamp cool-
ers. Purchase an air conditioner that ers,” cool outdoor air with evaporated
is sized correctly for your home or water. The cooler air is directed into
space that needs to be cooled; an the home and warmer air pushed
oversized air conditioner performs out through windows. They work well
less efficiently and effectively than in climates where the air is hot and
a smaller, properly sized unit. Work humidity is low.
with your contractor to determine
the correct size for a central air Cooling Tips
conditioner. • Set your thermostat as high as is
comfortable when you’re home and
Fans can help provide home cooling awake in the summer, and raise the
and comfort. Ceiling fans cool by temperature when you’re sleeping
16 creating a wind chill effect and can or away from home.
allow you to turn up the thermostat
about 4°F. In summer, use the ceiling • Clean or replace filters on air
fan in a counterclockwise direction to conditioners once a month or as
create a wind chill effect; turn off the recommended.
fan when you aren’t in the room. In
winter, reverse the fan to run clock- • Except for fans that are designed
wise and force warm air down from for continuous operation, turn off
the ceiling. kitchen, bath, and other exhaust
fans within 20 minutes after you
Whole-house fans pull cool air through are done cooking or bathing. When
the house and exhaust warm air replacing exhaust fans, consider
installing high-efficiency, low-noise
models.
• Turn off ceiling fans when you leave
a room.
• Set the fan switch on your thermo-
stat to “Auto” unless an indoor air
quality professional has set up your
system to operate continuously for
health reasons.
• During summer, keep the window
Using a ceiling fan allows you to turn up
the thermostat about 4°F without any coverings closed during the day to
loss in comfort. block the sun’s heat.Water Heating
Water heating is
the second largest
energy expense in
your home. It typically
accounts for about
13% of your energy
usage.
There are four primary
ways to cut your water
heating bills: use
less hot water; turn Visit EnergySaver.gov for a DIY video and instructions for
down the thermostat insulating your hot water tank.
on your water heater;
insulate your water heater and pipes; • Drain a quart of water from your
or buy a new, more efficient model. water tank every 3 months to re- 17
move sediment that impedes heat
Reducing Water Heating Costs transfer and lowers the efficiency
You can take steps to use less hot of your heater. Follow the manufac-
water and improve the efficiency of turer’s directions.
your existing water heating system. • Consider installing a drain-water
• If your hot water tank is warm to waste heat recovery system.
the touch, consider insulating it Drain-water, or greywater, heat
to save 7%–16% annually in water recovery systems capture the
heating costs. Follow manufacturer energy from waste hot water—
recommendations. such as showers and dishwash-
ers—to preheat cold water entering
• Consider insulating your hot water the water heater or going to other
pipes. Doing so can reduce heat water fixtures. Energy savings vary
loss, allow you lower the tempera- depending on individual household
ture setting, and save an additional usage.
3%–4% per year on water heating.
• Consider installing a residential
• Set your water heater temperature circulation pump to save water.
to 120ºF, a temperature considered
safe for most of the population. • Install aerating, low-flow faucets
and showerheads.
• Install heat traps on the hot and
cold pipes at the water heater to • If you find yourself waiting for the
prevent heat loss. Most new water water in your shower to get hot,
heaters have built-in heat traps. consider installing a showerheadnew, less efficient
model, the energy
savings will continue
during the lifetime
of the appliance.
Most water heaters
last 10–15 years,
but start researching
now if yours is more
than 7 years old.
Look for the ENERGY
Fix leaky faucets. One drip per second wastes 1,661 STAR and Energy-
gallons of water and can cost you up to $35 per year. Guide labels. You
can find the ENERGY
that has a temperature-sensitive STAR label on the following types
18 switch that turns off the water of water heaters: heat pump, high-
when hot. When you step into the efficiency gas storage, gas tankless,
shower, you flick a switch on the and solar. (Electric storage tank and
showerhead that restarts the hot electric tankless water heaters are
water flow. not ENERGY STAR eligible because
they are already highly efficient and
• Repair leaky faucets promptly. A have little room for improvement.)
leaky faucet wastes gallons of
water in a short period of time. Conventional storage water heaters
remain the most popular type of water
If you are in the market for a new heating system for the home. Fuel
dishwasher or clothes washer, sources include natural gas, propane,
consider buying an ENERGY STAR fuel oil, and electricity.
model to reduce hot water use. See
the Appliances section for more On-demand or tankless water heaters
information or visit energystar.gov. (gas) heat water directly without
using a storage tank. Researchers
Water Heating DIY Projects have found energy savings can be
See the References section for links up to 30% compared with a standard
to DIY water heating project steps natural gas storage tank water heater.
and instructional videos. However, if you tend to use hot water
in multiple locations in your home at
Buying Water Heaters the same time, you may find you need
two or more tankless water heaters
While a new energy efficient water
to keep up with demand. These
heater may cost more initially than
systems require unique installation
repairing an old model or buying aspecifications; consult with a certified Solar water heaters are a good op-
technician before purchasing. tion if you heat water with electricity,
have high electric rates, and have
Heat pump water heaters can cut an unshaded, south-facing location
water heating costs by an average (such as a roof). In addition to the
of 50% over standard electric water ENERGY STAR label, look for systems
heaters in areas where temperatures certified by the Solar Rating and
remain in the 40º–90ºF range year- Certification Corporation or the Florida
round. If located in your basement, Solar Energy Center.
they can also provide dehumidifica-
tion in the summer. However, this Solar water heaters are eligible for a
technology can pose some installa- 30% federal tax credit through 2019.
tion challenges, so consult with an The tax credit decreases to 26% in
installer before purchasing. For more 2020, 22% in 2021, and expires
information see EnergySaver.gov. December 31, 2021.
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.
Replacing single-pane windows with
double-pane windows that have
high-performance glass may be cost
effective, but you could also consider
installing exterior storm windows.
You can obtain energy efficiency
ratings for storm windows and other
window attachments from the Attach-
ments Energy Rating Council (AERC,
Landscape with plants that are native to aercnet.org). In colder climates, 21
your area to save water. consider selecting gas-filled windows
with low-e coatings to reduce heat
Consider xeriscaping, which is a loss. In warmer climates, select
systematic method of planning your windows with coatings to reduce
landscaping to conserve water. Visit heat gain.
EnergySaver.gov for more information
about xeriscaping. Choose a low U-factor for better ther-
mal resistance in colder climates;
the U-factor is the rate at which a
Windows window conducts non-solar heat flow.
Windows can be one of your home’s
most attractive features. Windows Look for a low solar heat gain coef-
provide views, daylighting, ventilation, ficient (SHGC). SHGC is a measure
and heat from the sun in the winter. of solar radiation admitted through a
window. Low SHGCs reduce heat gain
Unfortunately, heat moving in and out in warm climates.
of your home through windows can
increase your heating and air condi- Select windows with both low U-
tioning bills. Energy efficient windows factors and low SHGCs to maximize
and measures to reduce heat gain energy savings in temperate climates
and loss can help save energy and with both cold and hot seasons.
reduce energy bills.Certified in Highlighted Regions Consider insulated cellular shades,
which are “honeycombed” and can
be raised or lowered. Obtain energy
efficiency ratings for window attach-
ments from the AERC (aercnet.org).
• Close your curtains and shades at
Certified night to protect against cold drafts;
World’s Best open them during the day to let in
Window Co. warming sunlight.
Series “2000”
Casement
Vinyl Clad Wood Frame
Double Glazing•Argon Fill•Low E
• Apply low-e film on the inside of
XYZ-X-1-00001-00001 your windows to keep heat from
ENERGY PERFORMANCE RATINGS
U-Factor (U.S. / I-P) Solar Heat Gain Coefficient
radiating out. Films are rated by
the NFRC and will be rated by
0.35 0.32 the AERC.
ADDITIONAL PERFORMANCE RATINGS
Visible Transmittance Air Leakage (U.S. / I-P)
• Alternatively, install low-e exterior
0.51 ≤0.3 or interior storm windows, which
can save you 12%–33% on heating
Condensation Resistance
22 51 – and cooling costs, depending on
the type of window already in-
Manufacturer stipulates that these ratings conform to applicable NFRC procedures for determining whole
product performance. NFRC ratings are determined for a fixed set of environmental conditions and a specific
product size. NFRC does not recommend any product and does not warrant the suitability of any product for stalled in the home. They should
any specific use. Consult manufacturer’s literature for other product performance information.
www.nfrc.org have weatherstripping at all
Look for the ENERGY STAR label, the movable joints; be made of strong,
NFRC label, and energy performance durable materials; and have inter-
ratings when purchasing windows.
locking or overlapping joints.
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.
DIY Window Projects
See the References
section for links to DIY
projects to improve
the efficiency of your
windows.
A passive solar home collects heat as the sun shines
Passive Solar through south-facing windows, retains it in thermal
Home Design mass, and distributes it through the home.
Passive solar home A passive solar house or space
design can reduce your heating costs requires careful design and siting,
to less than half the cost of heating which vary by local climate condi-
a typical home. The following basic tions. If you are considering passive
elements are needed for passive 23
solar design for a new home or a
solar design: major remodel, consult an architect
• Properly oriented, south-facing familiar with passive solar techniques.
windows
Passive Solar Tips
• A concrete slab floor or a heat- • Keep all glass clean.
absorbing wall to store heat (known
as a thermal mass) • Make sure that objects do not
block sunlight on concrete slab
• Distribution systems to move heat floors or heat-absorbing walls.
through the home
• Vents, ceiling fans, and awnings for Cool Roofs
heat control. Window fans may also A cool roof reflects sunlight and
be part of the design. efficiently emits heat. Standard roofs
can reach temperatures of 150°F or
Well-designed passive solar spaces
more in the summer sun. By installing
also provide daylight all year and
a cool roof, you can lower the tem-
comfort during the cooling season
perature of your roof by up to 50°F
through carefully designed overhangs
and save energy and money by using
and reflective coatings on windows,
less air conditioning.
exterior walls, and roofs.Cool roofs can be made by using a • Re-cover the roof with a new
highly reflective type of paint, a sheet waterproofing surface (such as
covering, or highly reflective tiles or tile coating)
shingles. A cool roof doesn’t have
to be white. Many cool roof products • Replace the old roof with a new
use darker-colored pigments that are cool roof.
highly reflective in the near-infrared Look for ENERGY STAR certified roof
part of the solar spectrum, which is products when planning your cool
not visible to the human eye. A white roof. You can also find information
roof will typically be cooler than a at the Cool Roof Rating Council
dark roof because it reflects both (coolroofs.org).
visible and near-infrared sunlight.
Nearly any type of home can benefit
If you are building a new home, from a cool roof, but consider climate
decide during planning whether you and other factors before you decide
want a cool roof. to install one. DOE’s Cool Roof
If you want to convert an existing Calculator can help you estimate
roof, you have the following options: your potential savings from a cool
roof: rsc.ornl.gov/
• Retrofit the roof with specialized
24 heat-reflective material Visit EnergySaver.gov to learn more
about cool roofs.
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
Residential Electricity Use per Household (2016)
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
Source: Energy Information AdministrationSmart Meters and Smart
Appliances
Millions of smart meters have been
installed across the country. They
provide two-way communication be-
tween you and your utility, which can
help your utility locate and respond
to outages more quickly. This com-
munication helps utilities maintain
Home energy management systems more reliable electrical service and
help you track energy use and control allows consumers to more easily
thermostats and smart appliances. take advantage of time-based elec-
tricity rates.
Time-Based Electricity Rates
If you have a smart meter, most likely
To help reduce peak power demands, there is a customer web portal that
use resources more efficiently, re- will show you your hourly consumption
duce operating costs, and help their on a nearly real-time basis. This
customers save money, many utilities could help you better understand
offer programs that encourage your usage and make better-informed
customers to use electricity during decisions about changing your usage
off-peak hours. The programs pass patterns and lowering your energy
on the savings to you, the customer, use. Most utilities also have tools to
through rebates or reduced electricity set bill alerts and compare usage to
26
rates. others in your neighborhood, as well
Such programs might charge you as other tools to help consumers.
the actual cost of power at any one
time, ranging from high prices during
times of peak demand to low prices
during off-peak hours. If you are able
to shift your power use to off-peak
times, these programs can save you
money while helping your utility oper-
ate more efficiently.
Time-based rates are very attractive
to owners of plug-in hybrids and elec-
tric vehicles because typically these
vehicles are recharged at night. See
the Vehicles and Fuels section for A smart meter allows you to monitor your
energy usage almost in real time.
more information.You can also read
