Gina Peek, Ph.D. R. Scott Frazier, Ph.D., P.E. July 2, 2012 NEAFCS Webinar Win it in a minute: Conserve resources with home energy management

OHCE and Win it in a Minute! RESOURCE MANAGEMENT STATE GOALS – 2012 Focus Area I: “Kick It Up A Notch” Objective: Increase positive consumer practices and actions. Win it in a minute – a program to teach consumers how to take quick steps to reduce energy costs.

A few words on Issue Teams… Issue Scan Results Go green, be eco-friendly, recycle Sustainable environment Medium term (behavior adopted): Increase number of Oklahomans who increase energy efficiency Increase the number of Oklahomans who maintain, conserve and protect natural resources (air, land, water) Long term change: Oklahomans will prevent/decrease the degradation of their environments

There are environmental and fiscal benefits associated with ‘going green.’ There are many simple no and low-cost actions which may be taken to reduce energy usage without sacrificing comfort. In fact, many of these things take less than one minute! Win it in a minute with home energy management!

Did you know that the typical U.S. family spends about $1,900 a year on home utility bills? Source: US Department of Energy

Did you know that the typical U.S. family spends about $1,900 a year on home utility bills? Unfortunately, a large portion of that energy is wasted… Source: US Department of Energy

Some ways to save 1. Set water heater temperature to 120 degrees 2. Use blinds in summer on south facing windows glass doors 3. Turn off lights not needed (including outside lights) 4. Weather strip doors and windows 5. Close doors to outside and ventilate when possible 6. Open windows in nice weather 7. Run full clothes wash/dry loads 8. Install and use a programmable thermostat 9. Turn off computers not needed (activate Energy Star options in Windows, idle mode etc.) 10. Replace incandescent light bulbs (compact fluorescent bulbs, LEDs, or newer models) 11. Unplug anything that draws current to power (ex. cell phone charger) when not in use 12. Unplug battery chargers not being used 13. Install air blocker in all light switch fixtures and power outlets in house 14. Make sun-tea 15. Use hot pasta water for soup 16. Put dog on treadmill hooked to small generator ENERGY

Our focus today… 1. Set water heater temperature to 120 degrees 2. Use blinds in summer on south facing windows glass doors 3. Turn off lights not needed (including outside lights) 4. Weather strip doors and windows 5. Close doors to outside and ventilate when possible 6. Open windows in nice weather 7. Run full clothes wash/dry loads 8. Install and use a programmable thermostat 9. Turn off computers not needed (activate Energy Star options in Windows, idle mode etc.) 10. Replace incandescent light bulbs (compact fluorescent bulbs, LEDs, or newer models) 11. Unplug anything that draws current to power (ex. cell phone charger) when not in use 12. Unplug battery chargers not being used 13. Install air blocker in all light switch fixtures and power outlets in house 14. Make sun-tea 15. Use hot pasta water for soup 16. Put dog on treadmill hooked to small generator ENERGY

Prioritizing Common denominators Unique needs

Let’s concentrate on the “important few” for average consumers 1 2 3

How We Use Energy in Our Homes Source: Energy Star.gov Data: Typical House memo, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 2009 and Typical house_2009_Reference.xls spreadsheet.

Space heating

BIG IMPACT stuff to do in a minute (or a few minutes) to control space heating Set the heat to 68 degrees when you are at home; set it lower when you are away and at night Consider using a programmable thermostat Source:

WAIT A MINUTE! Aren’t you just wasting energy when you’re adjusting the thermostat so much? Isn’t lots of energy being wasted bringing the house back to temperature? It takes too long for the house to warm up!

Thermostat Controls Setting the temperature a few degrees down (or up in summer) for extended periods can save energy Easily done with programmable thermostats

MORE BIG IMPACT stuff to do in a minute (or a few minutes) to control space heating Check insulation levels in your attic If you can see rafters, you need more insulation Put on a sweater!

MORE BIG IMPACT stuff to do in a minute (or a few minutes) to control space heating Check for hidden leaks Think about the building envelope! Consider holes, cracks, drafts, etc. Check for obvious air leaks: Flashlight method; feather; incense stick

EVEN More Ways to Reduce Space Heating Costs Change filters Close damper Schedule tune-ups Schedule duct work inspection

One more thing! Check the operation of your heating and cooling system with a fairly simple test…

Let’s take a moment… Please take a moment and write down your answer Please name one thing that you would be willing to do to save home heating energy!

Let’s take a moment… Please name one thing that you would be willing to do to save home heating energy! Please fill in evaluation

Space cooling

Remember last summer? Photo: ENERGY STAR

BIG IMPACT stuff to do in a minute (or a few minutes) to control space cooling Set the air to 78 degrees when you are at home; set it higher when you are away and at night

MORE IMPACT stuff to do in a minute (or a few minutes) to control space cooling Basically … The same principles from space heating applies to space cooling! Check for hidden leaks Change filters Close damper Schedule tune-ups Schedule duct work inspection

Let’s take a moment… Please take a moment and write down your answer Please name one thing that you would be willing to do to save home cooling energy!

Cadwalader Grant Petrova and Peek 4 focus groups (NE, SE, NW, SW) N = 28 Student involvement 11 patterns developed Watch for a new, fun, hands-on leader lesson!

Lighting Original art by Sydney Brown

BIG IMPACT stuff to do in a minute (or a few minutes) to control lighting Use more efficient bulbs Photo: National Archives

Making a sustainable choice: Incandescents Only about 8% of the energy they use creates visible light. The rest of the energy is wasted as heat!

Making a sustainable choice: Compact fluorescents (CFLs) About 21% of the energy they use creates visible light. Most of our energy comes from coal-fired power plants that put mercury into the environment. Even though CFLs contain a tiny bit of mercury, they reduce the overall amount of mercury that goes into the environment by using less energy.

Making a sustainable choice: Light emitting diodes (LEDs) About 20-30% of the energy they use creates visible light. LED technology is changing rapidly. Check the stores often for new products as they hit the shelves!

When shopping for bulbs … Consider three things: (1) Initial cost; (2) Lifespan; (3) Energy use Light Source Comparison IncandescentsCFLsLEDs Initial costlowmediumhigh LifespanAbout 1,000 hoursAbout 10,000 hoursAbout 20,000 hours! Energy usehighlowVery low

When shopping for bulbs … To make certain that you are choosing a quality product Choose bulbs with the ENERGY STAR logo Choose bulbs from a reputable manufacturer

When shopping for bulbs… what the package can tell you How much power does the bulb use? Power usage is measured in watts. The greater the wattage, the more power used. How bright is the light? Brightness is measured in lumens. The larger the number, the more lumens, the brighter the light. Think in lumens… This tells you how much light you are actually getting How long does the bulb last? Average lifespan is measured in hours. All of these things can tell you how much the lighting really costs!

MORE IMPACT stuff to do in a minute (or a few minutes) to control lighting Keep the fixtures and the light bulbs clean… Dirty bulbs reduce illumination! Use daylighting

Let’s take a moment… Please take a moment and write down your answer Please name one thing that you would be willing to do to save home lighting energy!

Don’t be overwhelmed…

Make a written energy savings plan

Thank you!