Ten Tips To Go Green In Your Home
For each investment in your home energy costs, compare the equivalent annual interest rate to a typical 3% Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC), which doubles your investment only after 24 Years!
1. Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL's) and Light Emitting Diodes (LED's)
7. High Efficiency Heating Systems
8. Grey Water Recycling and Drain Water Heat Recovery
10. Hot Water Heating Upgrades
1. Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL's) and Light Emitting Diodes (LED's)
CFL's use about 75% less energy than a traditional incandescent bulb and produce the same high-quality light, with about 40% efficiency. For instance, a 15 watt CFL will produce the same amount of light as a 60 watt incandescent bulb. Modern CFL's suit all indoor and outdoor fixtures, and can be used with dimmers and three-way switches.
According to the Office of Energy Efficiency, a $6.99 ENERGYstar qualified CFL will last for approximately 9000 hours vs. a typical 50 cent, 60 watt incandescent bulb, which lasts only 1000 hours. The CFL will be capable of achieving a lifetime savings of $29.91, and will pay for itself in about 3 months when used on average of 6 hours a day. The time for the return on the investment in this instance is doubled since the bulbs have no residual value at the end of the term.
LED lighting is being used in various applications such as seasonal lighting and traffic signals. Advantages of using LED lighting include; improved visibility, low maintenance costs, high luminous intensity, compact size, and light weight. Although LEDs can have a higher initial cost, LED lighting is up to 90% efficient, compared to traditional incandescent lighting which is only 10-15% efficient, and can last for up to 60,000 hours. LED's are an ideal choice for applications such as accent, outdoor, and hard to reach lighting.
Equivalent Interest Rate = 200%
Turning down the temperature setting on a thermostat is one of the easiest ways to save heating dollars. A general rule is that for every 1°C the thermostat is turned down overnight, it is possible to save 2% on a heating bill.
A programmable thermostat can be set to reduce the temperature a short while before bedtime and raise the temperature in the morning. The thermostat can also be set to reduce the temperature for any period during the day when the house is unoccupied and to restore it shortly before anyone returns. A rule of thumb is to have the temperature set at 17°C when you are sleeping or not at home.
When used properly, ENERGY STAR qualified thermostats can save 10 to 15 percent on your heating bills.
[Source: Office of Energy Efficiency]
Although the initial cost can be between $40 and $150, a programmable thermostat is paid for in energy savings in about 6 months when programmed correctly and used consistently (based on a yearly heating cost of $2,000).
Equivalent Interest Rate = 200%
Conserving water is a great way to save energy and money. A low-flow showerhead can cut your water use in the shower by more than 30 percent. Faucet tap aerators can provide the same water pressure with less flow. It is also possible to reduce water use by installing a modern, 6-litre per flush, low-flow toilet that uses much less water to flush. Even when the water supply is not metered, a water-efficient toilet will make it easier for the municipality to supply fresh water and handle wastewater. According to the City of Ottawa, a typical $100, 6-litre per flush toilet will pay for itself in about a year.
Equivalent Interest Rate = 100%
Fixing leaks in water lines and taps is also a great way to save water. A leak of one drop per second wastes about 9,000 litres of water per year. At Kingston Utilities current rates that is approximately $11 per year. Most leaks are easy to find and fix at very little cost. CMHC advises that the typical payback on a washer replacement for a leaky tap is less than one year.
[Source: Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)]
Equivalent Interest Rate = 100%
Improving the energy efficiency of a home's windows, doors and skylights can substantially improve comfort and reduce home energy costs. Energy efficient windows are also capable of eliminating cold drafts, collecting less condensation and reducing noise from outside.
When installing new windows, look for low-e coatings, gas fill in between panes, and insulating spacers and panes. ENERGY STAR qualified windows have these characteristics, as well as low thermal conductivity and low solar heat gain. In addition, ENERGY STAR windows are rated for airtightness, watertightness, wind load strength, resistance to forced entry, and insect screen strength.
As an example, after installing new replacement ENERGY STAR windows it is possible to save $377 a year when replacing single-pane windows, and $78 a year over normal double-pane windows in a typical home in the east north central area of the US (States with a similar climate to southern Ontario).
[Source: Energy Star]
Typical Cost of Installing a 2'x3' window = $400
Savings > $300 per year
Equivalent Interest Rate = 100%
Finding air leaks around windows, doors and exterior wall penetrations is easy. On a cold or windy day, take a thin piece of tissue and hold it near a window or door frame. If the tissue flutters, there is an air leak. In most windows, air leakage can be reduced by applying a continuous bead of caulking around the window trim, at joints of the trim, and between the trim and the frame. If a window is particularly leaky, consider removing the trim, adding insulation and caulking the gap before re-applying the trim. The outside of an opening should only be caulked after interior sealing is complete. If the exterior is caulked first, it can trap warm, moist air in the wall.
Typically, professional whole-house air sealing can cost from $500 to $2,000, depending on the size of the house and the work required. However, air leakage can represent 25-40% of the heat lost from an older home. This amount of air leakage can cost $150 to $250 per year for natural gas heat or $200 to $350 per year for an electrically heated home.
[Source: Office of Energy Efficiency]
Equivalent Interest Rate = 15%
One of the central properties of a home that affects its energy efficiency is the way it is insulated and sealed. Insulation with a higher R-value provides more resistance to the movement of heat. The Ontario Building Code (OBC) specifies minimum values for new home construction, with different values for specific areas of application.
The way insulation is installed also plays a large role in its effectiveness. Compressing batt insulation, leaving air spaces around insulation, and allowing air movement in insulation all reduce thermal resistance. Effective insulation systems slow the movement of heat and manage the movement of moisture. To do this they have:
- An air barrier which prevents the movement of interior or exterior air through the system.
- Carefully filled cavities which leave no gaps in or around the insulation and which do not compress the insulation.
- Few thermal bridges. These are parts of the wall with low thermal resistance which extend from the warm side to the cold side of the insulation (such as structural members like studs).
- A vapour barrier, such as polyethylene sheets, which will prevent moisture from moving from warm interior spaces into colder building walls where it can condense.
In new wood-frame wall construction, insulation is usually installed in the stud cavity and on the exterior face of the studs to minimize thermal bridging. According to the OBC, exterior walls in a house in Kingston must usually have insulation that is at least R-19. This can be achieved by using spray foam or fiberglass batts in a 2 x 6 stud wall, or a combination of fiberglass batts and exterior rigid insulation (such as extruded polystyrene) in a 2 x 4 wall.
Attics are the most important area in home to have insulated. Upgrading your attic insulation from R-30 to R-60 will reduce attic heat loss by 50%. This can be achieved by blowing loose fill insulation into and over top of the ceiling joists. The air barrier at the ceiling line must be airtight to ensure warm moist air from the house does not get into the cold attic and condense.
According to the OBC, foundation walls, enclosing a heated space must now be provided with full-height R-12 insulation. A good method is to insulate the wall on the outside with rigid insulation (fiberglass and mineral wool also acts as a drainage layer) suitable for below-grade installations. Interior insulation is also commonly used, and is typically installed in the stud cavities or by strapping the face of the perimeter walls and attaching extruded polystyrene.
Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs) are another option for foundation walls. These forms are usually constructed of expanded polystyrene, and instead of the traditional method of removing forms after concrete has cured, ICF forms are left in place permanently. These walls are capable of providing a thermal resistance of about R-22.
Consider using a spray applied foam insulation product where possible. These products produce a higher R-value per inch than batts of fiberglass, expand to fill crevices, and can be used in areas where space is a concern. For instance, a spray foam may be able to achieve an R-value of 19 in a 2x4 exterior wall, where fiberglass batts cannot.
Depending on how a home is currently insulated and energy usage patterns, it is common to save over 30% on energy bills after increasing insulation levels in walls and attics. If average energy bills are $2,000 a year, it is possible to save about $600 per year. Even though an average insulation installation package can cost $3,000, it is possible to payback the investment in about 5 years. This is equivalent to approximately a 20% annual return on investment.
Equivalent Interest Rate = 15%
7. High Efficiency Heating Systems
Upgrading your heating equipment is a great opportunity to take advantage of new, more efficient products. Be sure to consider the following when upgrading mechanical systems:
- Venting for combustion appliances, adequate ventilation, and addition of air filtration.
- Efficiency of appliances and motors for fans and furnaces, and reduction in ongoing operating costs.
- Upgraded insulation around ducts and draftproofing to reduce heating needs.
There is a wide range of furnace efficiencies and fuels in Canada. New condensing gas furnaces can be as efficient as 89 to 96%.
According to furnace manufacturer, Lennox, upgrading to a 90% efficient furnace from a 60% efficient furnace can save 33% in heating costs per year, with approximately $7,800 saved over 5 years.
Equivalent Interest Rate = 10%
8. Grey Water Recycling and Drain Water Heat Recovery
The OBC now permits using greywater to flush toilets and urinals, for priming traps, and for irrigation purposes. Greywater is sanitary sewage from sinks, bathtubs, and laundry facilities and is considered a non-potable source of water. As such, it is important that these systems must be clearly and permanently marked and not be interconnected with a potable water system.
Greywater systems typically consist of a separate wastewater drainage system for a home's greywater. This greywater is drained to a holding or filter tank where it may be treated. Afterward the grey water is pumped to supply flushing water to toilets and to supply irrigation water.
Equivalent Interest Rate = 5%
In addition to conserving water, devices are currently available that capture heat from residential greywater through a process called drainwater heat recovery. Instead of municipal water flowing directly into a water-heating device, incoming cold water first flows through a heat exchanger where it is pre-warmed by heat from greywater. Typical household devices receiving greywater from a shower can recover up to 60% of the heat that would otherwise go to waste. In residential applications, a system would cost around $500-$1,000 to install. However, the system is able to save 25-40% on hot water heating. This type of system is capable of a return on investment in about 2 to 6 years.
[Source: RenewABILITY Energy Inc.]
Equivalent Interest Rate = 15%
New construction techniques and materials have led to homes that are tightly built, making proper ventilation critical.
Heat recovery systems (HRV) allow homes to maintain high indoor air quality without excessive additional energy costs. An HRV consists of two separate air-handling systems. One collects and exhausts stale indoor air; the other draws in fresh outdoor air and distributes it throughout the home. Fresh outdoor air is run through a heat exchanger, which recovers heat from the indoor air to preheat the ventilation air. This allows the furnace to use less energy to bring the outdoor air up to the distribution temperature. To ensure that fresh air is supplied to all living areas, the HRV is usually connected to the heating system ductwork. Typically, an HRV system recovers 70 to 80 percent of the heat in exhaust air.
According to the OBC, all new homes require an HRV to be installed except homes with direct vented fuel-fired combustion appliances and no additional solid fuel-fired combustion appliance.
10. Hot Water Heating Upgrades
About 15% of a typical energy bill goes to heating water. Below are a few options to consider which can save energy through a hot water heater.
Some new water heaters have insulation and are highly energy efficient. However, some older models may benefit from an insulating blanket, which can contain more of the heat from the tank. When installing a new hot water heater, look for a high-efficiency unit. Some hot water on demand models heat only when you need water, rather than storing hot water in a tank. When designing a new home ensure that the unit is placed as close as possible to the kitchen, laundry and bathrooms and always insulate hot water pipes, especially where they run through unheated areas. Turn down the water heater thermostat to a minimum setting when away for extended periods.
Another new option is a solar hot water system. Utilities Kingston is now offering a rental program for solar systems. The solar domestic hot water systems come with all components, including; solar collector panels, tanks and pumps. The system works by circulating a glycol/water solution between the solar collectors (panels) and the solar storage tank. When a household hot water tap is opened, the solar storage tank releases the solar heated water into the conventional hot water tank, which only fires its burner or heating element if the desired temperature cannot be maintained by the solar system. Contact Utilities Kingston at 613-546-1181 for more information.
