Compiled to help residents cost-effectively reduce residential energy use, save money and increase home comfort. Reducing Energy Use in the Built Environment A Vibrant, Healthy and Equitable Region. East Central Vermont Resident’s Guide and Resources to Reducing Home Energy Use Developed by Sustainable Energy Resource Group

A Vibrant, Healthy and Equitable Region. Why Residential Building Efficiency? Vermont has some of the oldest and least efficient housing stock in the country

A Vibrant, Healthy and Equitable Region. Why Residential Building Efficiency? More than 60% of Vermonters use propane or oil to heat homes Price of oil has increased more than 400% since 1999 Price of propane has increased over 25% in past five years (over 10% in last year alone)

A Vibrant, Healthy and Equitable Region. Includes eight sections relating to home energy use: The Guide Building Envelope Home Heating Home Cooling Ventilation & Air Distribution Lighting Appliances & Electronics Water Heating & Water Use Conservation Food

A Vibrant, Healthy and Equitable Region. Resources: The Guide also contains: List of energy-saving programs and incentives Glossary of common terms Links to organizations, information, contacts Procedures and guidelines Tips such as “you can save about 1% on your heating fuel use for each degree your thermostat is set back 8 hours a day throughout the winter”

A Vibrant, Healthy and Equitable Region. Section 1: Building Envelope Home air-sealing and insulation are two of the most cost- effective energy-saving options available to homeowners In the average home, small openings in the “shell” of the house account for nearly 30% of total heat loss Over 45% of all heat loss in homes is due to heat moving through the walls, roof and floor through conductive heat loss which insulation helps reduce A Vibrant, Healthy and Equitable Region.

Section 1: Building Envelope Some measures can be done by homeowners but many of biggest opportunities will require professional help Trained and certified professional Home Performance with Energy Star (HPwES) contractors study the home as a whole system, performing tests that address building air leakage, heating system efficiency, indoor air quality, and construction flaws that result in high energy bills while identifying means of improvement HPwES professionals can be found through a national fee-for-service program by DOE and administered by Efficiency Vermont in Vermont

A Vibrant, Healthy and Equitable Region. Section 2: Home Heating Home heating systems come in various designs, with different efficiency ratings, using various fuels Two of most common fuels in Vermont (propane and oil) are also most expensive and continue to dramatically rise in cost Many conservation steps can be taken before making changes to heating system

A Vibrant, Healthy and Equitable Region. Section 3: Home Cooling Preventing heat build-up in home rather than cooling it using air conditioning is much cheaper and more energy-efficient Consider conservation strategies and weatherizing before cooling systems

A Vibrant, Healthy and Equitable Region. Section 4: Ventilation and Air Distribution For healthy indoor air quality, homes must exchange about 1/3 of their air for every hour Lack of fresh air can lead to health problems due to indoor air pollutants such as excess moisture, radon, combustion by-products, and volatile organic compounds Air tight homes are ideally properly ventilated with mechanical ventilation to ensure safety as well as efficiency

A Vibrant, Healthy and Equitable Region. Section 5: Lighting In the average American home, lighting accounts for 5-10% of total energy use Traditional incandescent bulbs convert only 10% of electricity to useable light Lighting is a great opportunity to save energy and money Maximizing natural lighting and utilizing lighting controls further helps ensure additional lighting is only used when needed

A Vibrant, Healthy and Equitable Region. Section 6: Appliances and Electronics Appliances and electronics account for about 13% and 4% of home’s energy costs respectively Buying efficient appliances and using smart power strips that eliminate “vampire” loads will reduce energy use

A Vibrant, Healthy and Equitable Region. Section 7: Water Heating and Water-Use Conservation Water heating is third-largest energy user in home at roughly 14% of home’s energy costs after heating and cooling home There are several conservation strategies to reduce home water consumption Careful analysis of different types of water heaters and associated fuels as well as considering life-cycle costs of system can lead to saving money and energy

A Vibrant, Healthy and Equitable Region. Section 8: Food A huge amount of energy is imbedded in growing, harvesting, processing and transporting our food Buying local or growing your own food reduces these hidden energy costs Using efficient appliances and equipment can help reduce food-associated energy use

A Vibrant, Healthy and Equitable Region. Questions? This Guide was developed to help Upper Valley residents cost-effectively reduce residential energy use, save money and increase home comfort Although target is residential much of the included information is relevant and beneficial to commercial, municipal and community entities

A Vibrant, Healthy and Equitable Region. Thank you! The online guide is available at: – content/uploads/2014/02/ECV-Home- Energy-Guide-Final.pdf content/uploads/2014/02/ECV-Home- Energy-Guide-Final.pdf Sustainable Energy Resource Group – East Central Vermont: What we want –