1. Keep Warm Illinois Eileen Westervelt, PE, CEM University of Illinois

2. Home Utility Cost Breakout

3. No Cost Ways to Save Turn down your thermostat to 68 degrees  Every 1% setback = 3% savings on heating bill  Wear warm clothing to stay comfortable  Set the thermostat back to 55 degrees when away or sleeping (save 5-20%)

4. Low Cost Ways to Save Replace or clean furnace filters once a month.  Dirty filters restrict airflow and increase energy use.  Now is also the time for a furnace "tune-up." Keeping your furnace clean, lubricated and properly adjusted will reduce energy use, saving up to 5 percent of heating costs.

5. No Cost Ways to Save Reduce hot water temperature to 120º.  Save 7-11 % of water heating costs.  Insulate water supply line (first 5 feet) Use cold water when washing clothes.  ~16% of home energy cost is for water heating  Keep clothes dryer free of lint  Keep dryer vent free of obstructions.

6. Low Cost Ways to Save Perform a Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audit at http://hes.lbl.govhttp://hes.lbl.gov

7. No Cost Ways to Save Take a 5 minute shower instead of a bath Let the sun in.  Open drapes and shades on the sunny side during the day. Close at night. Remove window air conditioning units for the winter.  Remove to prevent heat from escaping through and around the unit.  If it cannot be moved, buy a cover to prevent drafts.

8. No Cost Ways to Save Close your fireplace flue.  Keep closed except when not in use.  Also shut fire place doors if installed. Use your ceiling fan.  Run blades counter-clockwise in winter to push warm air down into the room.  Run clockwise in the summer  When purchasing new ceiling fans, consider an ENERGY STAR model

9. No Cost Ways to Save Put your computer to sleep.  Activate "sleep" when not in use for a while.  Turn off equipment during longer periods of non-use to cut energy costs and improve longevity. Don’t waste hot water.  Adjust load size on washer to fit actual load.

10. No Cost Ways to Save Flip the switch.  Turn off appliances when not in use: lights, TVs, VCRs or DVDs, computers, other electronics. Keep vent space clean & clear.  Make sure draperies, furniture or rugs aren’t blocking air.  Clean regularly with a vacuum or a broom.

11. No Cost Ways to Save Clean Refrigerator Coils  Condenser coils are located in the back of older refrigerators and at the bottom of most new ones. They should be periodically cleaned with a vacuum or brush. Be sure to unplug the refrigerator when cleaning the coils.

12. Low Cost Ways to Save Caulk is cheap. Seal around windows, doors, and exterior walls near the floor, electrical outlets and plumbing penetrations. (Save 18-30% on heating.)  Caulk works best on small gaps.  Use low expansion foam product to seal larger openings.

13. Where to look for air leaks.

14. Low Cost Ways to Save

15. Check the yellow energy label on your water heater.  A low efficiency water heater could use an insulation blanket.

16. Low Cost Ways to Save Insulate Water Heater & Pipes

17. Low Cost Ways to Save Seal leaks with mastic or aluminum tape Insulation Tape seams Seal and Insulate Ducts

18. Low Cost Ways to Save Go low flow. Install low-flow showerheads and sink aerators. Repair leaky faucets promptly – save water, money, and energy. No storm windows? Use plastic window kits (plastic film or rigid) to insulate.

19. Low Cost Ways to Save Install an ENERGY STAR programmable thermostat:  Temperature automatically sets back when asleep or away.  Consider ENERGY STAR labeled appliances - use less energy, save money, and help the environment.  Change a Light. Replace incandescent light bulbs with comparable compact fluorescent lamps.

20. Compact Fluorescent Lamps CFLs use far less energy Have comparable brightness and color rendition vs. incandescents. Can directly replace standard incandescent bulbs. IncandescentCFL 25 Watt=5 Watt 50 Watt=9 Watt 60 Watt=15 Watt 75 Watt=20 Watt 100 Watt=25 Watt 120 Watt=28 Watt 150 Watt=39 Watt

21. Comprehensive Ways to Save Check your insulation:  Check attic, ceilings, exterior and basement walls, floors, and crawl spaces vs. insulation levels recommended for your area.  R-values—the higher the R-value, the better your house will resist the transfer of heat.  DOE recommends ranges of R-values based on local energy costs and climate conditions.  See Zip Code Insulation Calculator, for economic insulation levelsZip Code Insulation Calculator

22. Comprehensive Ways to Save Increase your attic insulation.  Easiest and most cost-effective insulation option.  If less than R-19 (6 inches of fiber glass or rock wool or 5 inches of cellulose), more could help. Consider insulating exterior walls.  If attic insulated but home still drafty and cold in the winter, or too warm in the summer, add insulation to the exterior walls.

23. Adding Insulation

24. Recommended Insulation Levels

25. Comprehensive Ways to Save Keep your furnace operating efficiently:  Seasonal Inspection.  Heating and cooling = half of the energy costs for the average home.  Ask for “temperature-rise check” to be sure your furnace is operating in the range set by the manufacturer.

26. Comprehensive Ways to Save Look for the ENERGY STAR:  Consider replacing old gas appliances with ENERGY STAR® models.ENERGY STAR  If gas water heater > 12 years, consider replacement. Look for the Energy Factor (EF)- the higher, the more efficient.  If furnace > 15 years, consider an ENERGY STAR rated model - about 15 % more efficient vs. standard.

27. Should You Replace Your Furnace? If furnace >10 years and repair costs > $500, replace rather than repair. If your furnace is old but not broken, deciding when to replace it can be difficult:  Average life of furnaces: 16 -20 years.  Boilers life: 30 years.  Start shopping before life is over, so you won’t make a hasty decision

28. Replacing your furnace? Emergency shopping can be costly If house is large with high heating bills, may be cost-effective to purchase a high efficiency model now. If repairing furnace, look for a heating professional who has experience with your type of heating system.

29. Comprehensive Ways to Save Contact a Home Energy Rater.  An energy audit of your home will identify best investments.  Visit the Illinois Association of Energy Raters website at http://www.ilenergyraters.org for more information. http://www.ilenergyraters.org

30. When Buying New Appliances Check the EnergyGuide label.  Estimated yearly energy consumption and cost.  Your actual energy consumption and cost will vary.  Scale for comparison with other models

31. Energy Assistance Programs Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP):  Illinois LIHEAP helps eligible households pay for winter energy services.  One-time benefit based on income, household size, fuel type, and geographic location.  One-time reconnection assistance for households disconnected after nonpayment.  Administered by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services. Funding provided by local community action agencies or not-for-profit agencies.  Inquire: 800-252-8643.

32. Energy Assistance Programs Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program (IHWAP):  Helps low income residents save fuel and money, while increasing the comfort of their homes.  Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the state supplemental Energy Assistance Fund.  Weatherization services provided by local community action agencies or not-for-profit agencies.  http://www.weatherizationillinois.com/comm unity.html

33. Tax Incentives Energy Policy Act of 2005 has energy efficiency incentives for existing homes.  Average home loses 10 - 50 % of its energy through inadequate insulation and inefficient lights and appliances.  Energy bill offers consumers tax credits for making energy efficiency improvements in homes. Ten percent cost-based credit to for energy improvements (limit $500):  $200 for windows.  $50 for advanced main air circulating fan.  $150 for furnace or hot water boiler.  $300 for any energy-efficient building property, including heat pumps; central air conditioners; and water heaters.

34. Tax Incentives (con’t) Qualified improvements meet efficiency criteria in International Energy Conservation Code (metal roof - meets ENERGY STAR requirements). A thirty percent credit ($2,000 limit) for renewable energy systems put into service in 2006 and 2007:  residential solar photovoltaic systems  solar water heating systems (not for swimming pools or hot tubs). Labor costs, assembly, or original installation may qualify. Systems put into service in taxable year. Components shall remain in use for at least five years. The tax credit goes into effect on January 1, 2006 and expires on December 31, 2007.

35. Winter Storm Preparedness Gather emergency supplies for work or home:  A battery-powered radio (NOAA Weather or commercial) and extra batteries.  Foods that don’t require cooking or refrigeration. Include high-energy foods such as dried fruit and candy.  Extra medications and special items for babies, the disabled or elderly.  Water in clean containers  Flashlights with extra batteries  Rock salt  Sand http://www.keepwarm.illinois.gov/Preparedness.cfm

36. http://www.keepwarm.illinois.gov/