1. USGBC Charlotte Region Chapter Build Green. Teach Green. Live Green. www.usgbccrc.org

26.  Well-insulated Walls & Attic  Effective insulation slows the rate that heat flows out of the house in winter or into the house in summer, so less energy is required to heat or cool the house  Upgrade or Replace Windows  Weather strip & add storm windows -Upgrade single pane & pay the slight premium for Energy Star  Can save 7-24% in heating/cooling costs 9 Ways to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient From USGBC’s greenhomeguide.org USGBC Charlotte Region Chapter Build Green. Teach Green. Live Green. www.usgbccrc.org

27.  Plant Shade Trees & Shrubs  Deciduous trees and tall shrubs planted on home’s west side  Block heat gain in summer and allow heat gain in winter  Most effective for older homes without insulation or window upgrades  Replace Furnace  Built before 1992 & has standing pilot, wastes ~35% of the fuel it uses, and it is probably near the end of its service life.  ACEEE recommends early replacement w/ condensing furnace w/ annual efficiency of at least 90 percent meaning it wastes no more than 10% of the fuel used & can save ~27% on heating.condensing furnace 9 Ways to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient From USGBC’s greenhomeguide.org USGBC Charlotte Region Chapter Build Green. Teach Green. Live Green. www.usgbccrc.org

28.  Improve Hot Water System  Adjust to the warm setting (120°F).  Insulate your hot water lines so they don’t cool off as quickly between uses.  Use low-flow fixtures for showers and baths.  “On Demand” hot water circulating loops are much more efficient than continuous recirculating loops that waste energy and electricity. 9 Ways to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient From USGBC’s greenhomeguide.org USGBC Charlotte Region Chapter Build Green. Teach Green. Live Green. www.usgbccrc.org

29.  Replace Lightbulbs w/ CFLs or LEDs  CFLs can save 75% of the electricity used by incandescents.  A CFL costs $2-$3 but lasts 10,000 hours = ~$22 in electricity = ~$25 total cost.  A 100-watt incandescent bulb costs $0.50 but lasts 1,000 hours so you need 10 of them ($5 to buy) to last 10,000 hours = ~$80 in electricity = ~$85 total cost  First target 60- to 100-watt bulbs used several hours a day  If replacing Refrigerator…  Side by side units use 20-25% more energy than top/bottom units.  Select Energy Star rated & use the recommended settings 9 Ways to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient From USGBC’s greenhomeguide.org USGBC Charlotte Region Chapter Build Green. Teach Green. Live Green. www.usgbccrc.org

30.  Schedule an Energy Audit  Evaluate home & make recommendations  Energy rater can also provide independent verification of contractors’ work quality.  Look for raters who are RESNET Accredited.RESNET Accredited  In some regions, there are Home Performance with Energy Star programs, too. Most of these programs include low-cost home assessment and strong quality assurance practices and/or inspections 9 Ways to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient From USGBC’s greenhomeguide.org USGBC Charlotte Region Chapter Build Green. Teach Green. Live Green. www.usgbccrc.org

31.  Schedule an Energy Audit  NC Weatherization Assistance Program for single‐family homes, apartments, condominiums and mobile homes.  Renters must have written permission from their landlord.  Focus on low-income families particularly the elderly, the disabled, families with children, high energy users and the energy burdened.  For more information, call (919) 733-2230 or toll-free at (800) 662-7131 9 Ways to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient From USGBC’s greenhomeguide.org USGBC Charlotte Region Chapter Build Green. Teach Green. Live Green. www.usgbccrc.org

32.  Schedule an Energy Audit  USGBC’s Green Home Guide  http://greenhomeguide.com/findapro/category/55 http://greenhomeguide.com/findapro/category/55  Piedmont Natural Gas  http://www.piedmontng.com/yourhome/energyefficienc y/home.aspx http://www.piedmontng.com/yourhome/energyefficienc y/home.aspx  Duke Energy will conduct an audit for customers  http://www.duke-energy.com/north-carolina/savings.asp http://www.duke-energy.com/north-carolina/savings.asp  1-877-388-7676 9 Ways to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient From USGBC’s greenhomeguide.org USGBC Charlotte Region Chapter Build Green. Teach Green. Live Green. www.usgbccrc.org

33.  LEED for Homes  REGREEN  Environments for Living  Energy Star  Water Sense  US DoE Building Challenge Residential Programs From USGBC’s greenhomeguide.org USGBC Charlotte Region Chapter Build Green. Teach Green. Live Green. www.usgbccrc.org