1. Energy Efficiency Workshop Survival Skills for Today’s Energy Market

2. Energy Efficiency Workshop What we’re doing 1. How we compare with other areas of world 2. Factors affecting energy use 3. What various systems use 4. Energy tips & strategy 5. Resources 6. Trouble shooting high bills

3. Energy Efficiency Workshop We Must Improve! “The average [US] home emits twice as much green house gas as the average car,” says the Building Codes Assistance Project.

4. Energy Efficiency Workshop

5. When Will We Improve? From: The Home Energy Efficiency Report 2008 1. Energy costs are perceived as a long-term, burdensome problem 2. Costs, return and payback periods can be estimated 3. Income is sufficient 4. A credible source of advice on the most cost-effective improvements is available

6. Energy Efficiency Workshop Determining power consumption patterns

7. Energy Efficiency Workshop Three Critical Factors 1. Texas Climate Mostly hot, but cold too Humidity, rain, sun 2. Behaviors Thermostat settings, length of showers Energy Attitude 3. Home Envelope & Systems Building, insulation, ducts, vents, doors, windows Heating & Air conditioning, water heater, lighting Swimming pools, hot tubs, irrigation, outdoor lighting Usage Climate BehaviorsSystems

8. Energy Efficiency Workshop Hot & Humid

9. Energy Efficiency Workshop International Energy Conservation Code Climate Zones 2006 Code not adopted in Texas yet

10. Energy Efficiency Workshop Heating & Cooling Degree Days Average outdoor temperature: Above 65°F = Cooling degree days Below 65°F = Heating degree days Each degree the average daily temperature is above 65°F counts as one cooling degree day Example: if yesterday was an average of 90 degrees, would count as 25 cooling degree days Annual Cooling/Heating YearCoolingHeating 200825831713 200722501909 200625351571 200520941918 200420091890 January Cooling/Heating YearCoolingHeating 20096440 20087532 20070663 20060285 20056422

11. Energy Efficiency Workshop Work with Climate Plant deciduous trees for shade Use natural light when possible Consider rainwater collection to reduce well pumping Consider heat impact of driveways & other items nearby Consider heat gain from dark building materials

12. Energy Efficiency Workshop Different ways people use energy

13. Energy Efficiency Workshop Some Behavior Factors Knowledge – “energy IQ” Attitude Age Children, teens Senior adults Gender Income Medical condition

14. Energy Efficiency Workshop

15. Building and All Systems

16. Energy Efficiency Workshop Drafty Homes 600,000+ cubic feet of air passes through the older Texas house daily Enough to fill 3 Goodyear blimps

17. Energy Efficiency Workshop Where the Air Goes

18. Energy Efficiency Workshop

19. Improve Home Envelope Calk & weather stripping Exterior openings & attic door Consider insulation Recommendation: R-38 to R-49 R-19 or less in ceiling – add insulation Natural light tubular skylights – with dimmers Fire places - usually not very efficient Consider glass doors Outside combustion air Close damper when not in use

20. Energy Efficiency Workshop Improve Home Envelope Low E windows for Texas climate Windows’ Efficiency rated Specific window rating for this area U-factor= resistance to heat gain (lower is better) SHGC= Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (lower is better) Wall to window ratio of 25% or less Consider storm windows in existing homes Solar screens on sun exposed

21. Energy Efficiency Workshop Major Power Consuming Systems 5 Pools Hot Tubs Wells Sewers 1 Heating & A/C 44% 2 Water Heating 14% 3 Refrigerator 9% 4 Lighting & Appliances 33%

22. Energy Efficiency Workshop Heating & AC Curtains and blinds Replace A/C filter often (MERV 6+) Therm. at 78 summer and 68 winter Install programmable therm. Seal ducts (UL rated tape) Check heating & AC annually Consider replacing 10 year+ central system Heat pump better than regular resistance heat New Unit 14 SEER or greater

23. Energy Efficiency Workshop Efficient Heat-Pump Moves heat: out in summer, in during winter 2-types: air & geothermal (water or ground) SEER – Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio is cooling efficiency Air Source = 13-18 SEER (14+ Energy Star) Geothermal = 25-37 SEER (climate dependant) HSPF Rating – Heating Seasonal Performance Factor is heating efficiency (8+) EER Newer standard – Electrical Efficiency Rating – remove climate differences Will become standard Rating for room A/C

24. Energy Efficiency Workshop Room Units & Ductless Systems Room/ Window units One room at a time, but lower efficiency 10+ EER (A/C for Energy Star rating) Heat-pump units (some A/C & heat NOT heat-pump) Ductless Systems Central compressor, each room has air handler Outside unit smaller & quite operation Requires less installation space (refrigerant lines only) Used overseas for years Some rated at 20 SEER

25. Energy Efficiency Workshop Energy Tips – Water Heater Set therm. at 120 Consider timer, off when on vacation Insulate pipe above heater Insulate hot water pipes in un- insulated spaces Pumped instant-hot system problems Replace old heaters with more efficient Use cold water to wash cloths Use low-flow shower heads Fix leaky faucets

26. Energy Efficiency Workshop New Water Heating Technologies Tankless Water Heaters Eliminates standby losses Require additional wiring (if electric) GPM flow rate may be limited Heat-pump water heaters Not common – yet Use 1/3 to ½ electricity GE to release self-contained model soon Solar water heating Making a comeback in sun-belt If considering – do homework

27. Energy Efficiency Workshop Source: American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy

28. Energy Efficiency Workshop Energy Tips – Refrigerator Keep freezer section full Clean air intake area Make sure door seals are good Replace pre-1993 with Energy Star rated model (see frig calculator)frig calculator Eliminate old garage refrigerator! Adds $20+ monthly to bill If buying freezer avoid “frost-free”

29. Energy Efficiency Workshop Lighting Use CFL bulbs and save 2 ways 75% less electricity Operates at 90 degrees (not 300 degrees) Spot, 3-way, dimmable, bug-light LED lighting Use now for decorative lighting More LED’s coming for indoor & out GreenStar Use motion sensors indoors and outdoor

30. Energy Efficiency Workshop Source: U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Energy Savers based on $0.94 cost per kWh

31. Energy Efficiency Workshop Appliance Considerations Use Energy Star qualified Advanced technologies 10-50% less energy and water $’s saved on utility bills make up additional cost Front loading washers Solar dryers good too

32. Energy Efficiency Workshop Pools & Hot Tubes Swimming pools Adjust pool pump times for season Avoid extended run time with non- essentials (water falls) Hot tubs Use timers, all off during non-use Place in weather protected area Use insulated cover Make sure all sides (and bottom) and insulated 8 A–7P

33. Energy Efficiency Workshop Phantom Power Users Some TV’s Computers Cell phone chargers Appliances, alarm clocks, etc. Anything that is warm or shows a light or a display Some sewer systems, some controls (water softener)

34. Energy Efficiency Workshop

35. Measuring Usage Kill-A-Watt measure usage at each appliance http://www.p3international.com/p roducts/special/P4400/P4400- CE.html http://www.p3international.com/p roducts/special/P4400/P4400- CE.html Utility automatic meter reading systems Can see daily usage Read meter daily for month and compare with temps

36. Energy Efficiency Workshop Energy Strategies Limited income in inefficient home Create one efficient room Use it during peak heating and A/C season Space heating vs. central system 1,500 watt heater uses less than central furnace Never run central furnace & space heater Use electric blankets in winter Use fans in summer

37. Energy Efficiency Workshop Help Members understand usage

38. Energy Efficiency Workshop Trouble Shooting High Bills Weather extremes are usual cause Elements can run up a big bill Central electric furnace 15,000 watts common A/C and heater running at same time Water heater element 4,500 watts (instant-hot pump - worst) Electric space heater 1,500 watts Pumps that run all the time are big monthly users Water wells, swimming pools, hot tubs, irrigation 746 watts per horsepower Lose and leaky ducts Mobile homes, gray duct tape, bad flex duct, animals Extra refrigerators = $20+ per month per unit Rarely – shorts, faulty wiring

39. Energy Efficiency Workshop Some Basics 730 = total hours in an average month 746 watts = one electric motor horsepower 746 X 1 hp X 730 = 544,580/1,000 = 544.58 KWH per month KW = 1,000 watts at a point in time less than one hour (demand) as measured by the meter Example: 4,500 watt element = 4.5 KW KWH = 1,000’s of watts with hours in time included 4,500 watt element X 1 hour = 4.5 KWH KVA = same as kW, but includes power factor (volts X amps) transformers are sized in KVA

40. Energy Efficiency Workshop A few websites to consider

41. Energy Efficiency Workshop BEC Member Resources Bandera Electric Cooperative www.banderaelectric.com Energy Star http://www.energystar.gov/ Alliance to Save Energy http://www.ase.org/ U.S. Department of Energy http://www.energysavers.gov/ Texas State Energy Conservation Office http://www.seco.cpa.state.tx.us/

42. Energy Efficiency Workshop Tax Credits 2009 ItemSpecifications Credit Amount Windows & SkylightsEnergy Star or IECC10% up to $200 total Storm WindowsMeets IECC code10% up to $200 total Exterior doors IECC10% up to $500 Storm doorsIECC10% up to $500 Metal & Asphalt roofsEnergy Star10% up to $500 InsulationIECC10% up to $500 Central A/CSEER = 15+$300 Air Heat -PumpSEER = 15+$300 Geo-ThermalEER = 14-16 (depends)30% up to $2,000 Water heaters Heat pump$300 Solar water heatingSRCC30% up to $2,000 Photovoltaic Meet building codes30% up to $1,500

43. Energy Efficiency Workshop