The Quick Facts: Energy use and costs are increasing at a fast pace. Most of our energy is generated by burning fossil fuels, which contributes to global climate change. Saving energy reduces utility costs and impacts on the environment. By understanding the “energy eaters” in our homes, we can help our family budget and the environment. Efficiency and conservation are the keys to wise energy use, lower utility bills, and protection of natural resources.
We all depend on a readily available supply of energy for daily living—whether it is for heating or cooling, communicating, cooking, cleaning, working, entertainment, traveling, or hobbies and recreation. By understanding the ‘energy eaters’ in our homes, we can help our family budget and the environment. Saving energy reduces costs, as well as reduces the amount of polluting, climate-changing greenhouse gases and dependence on fossil fuels.
Energy Use & Abuse
During the 20th century, the amount of energy the United States used doubled about every 20 years. According to the Edison Electric Institute, with houses getting bigger and bigger, and more and more appliances and electronic gear being plugged in, the nation is using more electricity than ever. Most of our energy is generated by burning polluting, climate changing fossil fuels, which contributes to global climate change. The more energy used, the more greenhouse gases are emitted into the atmosphere.
Home Energy Eaters & Ways to Cut Energy Use
Sample Percentage of Energy Uses in Homes
Source: Touchtone Energy
Heating & Cooling
The largest user of energy in the average household is heating and air conditioning
units. Most energy losses and high energy bills can be traced to an inefficient
component in homes (i.e., windows, heating and cooling equipment, ducts insulation)
or a failure of one of these components to perform as intended.
Some tips to help improve energy efficiency when heating and cooling your home:
- conduct or pay for an energy audit, which will tell you the inefficiencies in your home, energy-saving solutions, and wise ways to manage energy use
- seal air leaks and add insulation to prevent energy waste and unnecessary and excessive heating or cooling (i.e., if there is a hole or gap in the attic or basement or a way for heat or conditioned air to escape, your home is wasting energy)
- purchase and install ENERGY STAR® qualified appliances, which use less energy and are more efficient
- install a programmable thermostat (and dress properly!) to automatically regulate temperatures in your home to save energy (e.g., while not home, or on vacation, or sleeping). You can save around 10% a year on your heating and cooling bills by simply turning your thermostat back 10° – 15° for eight hours. Average household temperatures are generally 68 degrees Fahrenheit for heating season and 78 degrees for cooling season. Going from 72 degrees Fahrenheit down to 68 degrees doesn’t matter much in terms of comfort, but it can save up to 12 percent on your heating bill.
- replace your return air filter at least once every month for proper operation; households with pets that shed may need to replace these more often
- install and use fans to circulate air and provide greater comfort
- have your heating/cooling unit serviced twice annually to insure that it is operating properly.
Water Heating
Water heaters are typically the second biggest “energy eater” in homes. They may also be the cause for a large portion of your utility bill. The average electric water heater is a 40 gallon, 4500 watt tank that will cost on an average of $40.50 per month to operate at 120 degrees.
To save water heating dollars (and water, too):
- turn down the temperature on your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit (note: must be at least 120 degrees to prevent growth of Legionella bacteria, which can cause Legionnaires disease, a cause of Pneumonia)
- consider installing a tankless water heater, which provides hot water on demand, eliminates need for storage, addresses thermal heat loss from stored heated water, and is more efficient than traditional hot water heaters (added bonus: since it is the size of a briefcase, it also saves space!)
- some gas water heaters have “vacation” settings that allow you to turn them off during vacations or extended absences while keeping the pilot light still lighted
- cover the water heater with an insulating blanket
- install a timer on your electric water heater to limit its time of operation during regular hours, unplug it or turn off at the breaker during extended absences
- take quick (four minute) showers
- turn off the water while shaving, brushing teeth, and the like
- use cold water when washing clothes, and run only full loads
- only run dishwashers when they are full
- insulate feeder pipes with pipe insulation
- install low flow showerheads and faucet aerators
- fix leaky faucets and showerheads promptly (hot water leaks consume energy)
- when purchasing a new clothes washer or dishwasher, consider ENERGY STAR® qualifying energy efficient models (they use 10-50% less energy and water than standard models)
Other Energy Eaters:
While heating, cooling, and water-heating are the main energy eaters of the home, there are a growing number of other, smaller energy uses that, when combined, eat energy and drive-up our energy bills. Further, recent research reveals that while builders and home-owners focus on upgrading heating, cooling, and water-heating to more efficient models, the relatively smaller energy users are being ignored.
According to the American Solar Energy Society, the “other” end-uses of energy, like appliances, lighting, electronics and miscellaneous equipment, are growing at a rapid rate, especially in new homes that have more room inside for energy-using amenities. A team of researchers recently conducted field studies on both occupied and unoccupied homes around the country and found that these smaller energy-users can account for 46 percent to as much as 88 percent of the electricity use in a house that is otherwise energy-efficient.
Use these tips to save:
Cooking
- when using the oven, cook multiple dishes and leave the oven door closed until it is time to remove
- use your microwave whenever possible to shorten cooking time
- use electric food preparation appliances only when necessary (e.g., opt for hand mixing).
Some tips to be “bright” about lights:
- turn off lights when not in use or not necessary
- use fluorescent and compact fluorescent lighting (they are more economical, produce more light, and last longer; remember not to throw these bulbs in the regular trash ≠ they must be properly recycled; check with your local municipal recycling department for recycling instructions)
- if using incandescent light bulbs, choose higher-wattage bulbs that are more efficient and produce more light
- install motion sensors
- make use of sunlight or “daylighting”
Phantom Energy Eaters
According to the Orange & Rockland Utility Companies, many appliances continue to draw a small amount of power when they are switched “off.” These “phantom loads” occur in most appliances that use electricity, such as VCRs, televisions, stereos, computers, and kitchen appliances. Most phantom loads will increase the appliance’s energy consumption a few watts per hour. To pull the plug on phantom energy users, unplug the appliance or use a power strip to cut all power to the appliance in one switch.
Not only does energy conservation save money on energy bills now; it saves us (and consumers in the future) money in the long run by making our energy resources last longer. You can make the greatest impact on reducing your electric bill and helping the environment by focusing on the areas where you use the most energy. To help you determine your home energy use, contact your energy utility company, or research and try available tools and do-it-yourself energy audits (such as ENERGY STAR®). Efficiency and conservation are the keys to wise energy use, lower utility bills, and protection of natural resources.
For other related Real Mama Articles see:
At Home Water Conservation, Fall 2005
Lighten Up: California’s Controversial Light Bulb Legislation, Spring 2007
Solutions to Global Warming for the Reasonable Family, Spring 2007
Let the Sunshine Down on Me (and You): The case for solar power as the solution to global warming, Fall 2007
Information used in this article was found at the following sources, which you can visit if you want to find out more about this topic:
http://itehome.apogee.net/res/relinfo.asp (Touchtone Energy; energy saving tips)
http://www.srpnet.com/energy/topusers.aspx (Salt River Project (SRP), top home energy users in the southwest, energy saving solutions)
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home_improvement.hm_improvement_audits (Energy Star website, home energy audits, energy efficient product information, energy saving tips)
http://www.ase.org/uploaded_files/educatorlessonplans/wasting.pdf (Alliance to Save Energy, “Wasting Energy at Home?” student lesson and activity)
http://www.ase.org/section/_audience/consumers (Alliance to Save Energy, tips for saving energy and money)
http://www.sdge.com/residential/res_energygoes.shtml (San Diego Gas & Electric Company, charts outlining energy use of major appliances during a summer month in a typical single-family home served by SDG&E)
http://www.cstx.gov/home/index.asp?page=800#Other (City of College Station, energy saving tips and energy use for household items and appliances)
http://www.fpl.com/residential/savings/energy_advisor/energy_basics/basics.shtml (Florida Power and Light Company, home energy users and saving tips)
http://www.eei.org/newsroom/energy_news/energy_awareness.htm (Edison Electric Institute, “October is Energy Awareness Month,” October 1, 2007)
http://www.oru.com/energyandsafety/energyefficiency/calculatingenergyuse.html (Orange and Rockland Utilities, major and “phantom” energy users)
http://www.ases.org/askken/2007/07-01.htm (American Solar Energy Society, “The Home Energy Source,” by Ken Sheinkopf, January 7, 2007.)
https://www.mge.com/home/saving/homeowners/index.htm (Madison Gas & Electric, Energy-Saving Tips for Homeowners)
http://www.dmoz.org/Home/Home_Improvement/Energy_Efficiency/ (Open Directory Project, search results for energy efficiency in the home; organizations, agencies, articles, and tips)
http://www.greystonepower.com/UploadedFiles/pdf/1038673.4253009259.pdf (Greystone Power Corporation, “Do-It-Yourself Home Energy Audit”)
http://www.eweb.org/home/energy/waterheat/ (Eugene Water and Electric Board, “Tips for Conserving Hot Water”)
http://www.ornl.gov/sci/roofs+walls/insulation/ins_01.html (Department of Energy, “Insulation Factsheet”)
http://www.greenhomeguide.org/features/keeping_warm_for_less.html (US Green Building Council, “Green Home Guide”)
http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/space_heating_cooling/index.cfm/mytopic=12720 (US Department of Energy, “A Consumer’s Guide to Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy”)
