Energy Saving Devices

Posts Tagged ‘energy efficient’

For energy efficiency, your home should be properly insulated from the roof down to its foundation. This includes the following areas:

* Attic spaces
o Attic access doors to unfinished attics
o Knee walls in finished attics
* Ducts in unconditioned spaces
* Cathedral ceilings
* Exterior walls
* Floors above unheated garages
* Foundations
o Basements
o Crawl spaces
o Slab-on-grade floor

Source: U.S. Department of Energy

Generating electricity using your own small renewable energy system fits the circumstances and values of some home and small-business owners. Although it takes time and money to research, buy, and maintain a system, many people enjoy the independence they gain and the knowledge that their actions are helping the environment.

A renewable energy system can be used to supply some or all of your electricity needs. Some people, especially those in remote areas, use the electricity from their systems in place of electricity supplied to them by power providers (i.e., electric utilities). These are called stand-alone (off-grid) systems.

Others connect their systems to the grid and use them to reduce the amount of conventional power supplied to them through the grid. A grid-connected system allows you to sell any excess power you produce back to your power provider.

These are some renewable energy technologies available for use today:

* Small solar electric systems
* Small wind electric systems
* Microhydropower systems
* Small hybrid electric systems (solar and wind).

Before you purchase and install a small renewable energy system, you should analyze your electricity loads to see if one of the small renewable energy systems can meet all or enough of your electricity needs—is it economically feasible? You will also want to research your local codes and requirements for installing a system.

If you’re designing a new home, you should work with the builder and your contractor to incorporate your small renewable energy system into your whole-house design—an approach for building an energy-efficient home.

Source: U.S. Department of Energy

There are many ways you can reduce electricity use in your home and help reduce your energy bills. Also, if you’re interested in using a small renewable energy system to make your own electricity, reducing your electricity loads will help make your system more cost effective.

You can reduce electricity use in your home by focusing on where and how you use electricity in these areas:

• Appliances and electronics

  Purchase energy-efficient products and operate them efficiently.

• Lighting

  Purchase energy-efficient products, operate them efficiently, and incorporate more daylighting into your home using energy-efficient windows and skylights.

• Electric space heating and cooling

  Purchase energy-efficient electric systems and operate them efficiently. Incorporate passive solar design concepts into your home, which include using energy-efficient windows. Properly insulate and air seal your home. Select an energy-efficient heating system that doesn’t use electricity.

• Electric water heating

  Purchase an energy-efficient electric water heater and operate it efficiently. Or select an energy-efficient water heater that doesn’t use electricity.

Source: U.S. Department of Energy

Here are some examples of the range of nameplate wattages for various household appliances:

• Aquarium = 50–1210 Watts
• Clock radio = 10
• Coffee maker = 900–1200
• Clothes washer = 350–500
• Clothes dryer = 1800–5000
• Dishwasher = 1200–2400 (using the drying feature greatly increases energy consumption)
• Dehumidifier = 785
• Electric blanket- Single/Double = 60 / 100
• Fans
  • Ceiling = 65–175
  • Window = 55–250
  • Furnace = 750
  • Whole house = 240–750
• Hair dryer = 1200–1875
• Heater (portable) = 750–1500
• Clothes iron = 1000–1800
• Microwave oven = 750–1100
• Personal computer
  • CPU – awake / asleep = 120 / 30 or less
  • Monitor – awake / asleep = 150 / 30 or less
  • Laptop = 50
• Radio (stereo) = 70–400
• Refrigerator (frost-free, 16 cubic feet) = 725
• Televisions (color)
  • 19″ = 65–110
  • 27″ = 113
  • 36″ = 133
  • 53″-61″ Projection = 170
  • Flat screen = 120
• Toaster = 800–1400
• Toaster oven = 1225
• VCR/DVD = 17–21 / 20–25
• Vacuum cleaner = 1000–1440
• Water heater (40 gallon) = 4500–5500
• Water pump (deep well) = 250–1100
• Water bed (with heater, no cover) = 120–380

Source:  U.S. Department of Energy

When it comes to shopping for and comparing energy-efficient appliances and home electronics, look for the EnergyGuide and ENERGY STAR® labels.

EnergyGuide Label

The Federal Trade Commission requires EnergyGuide labels on most home appliances (except for stove ranges and ovens), but not home electronics, such as computers, televisions, and home audio equipment. EnergyGuide labels provide an estimate of the product’s energy consumption or energy efficiency. They also show the highest and lowest energy consumption or efficiency estimates of similar appliance models.

ENERGY STAR Label

ENERGY STAR labels appear on appliances and home electronics that meet strict energy efficiency criteria established by the U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The ENERGY STAR labeling program includes most home electronics and appliances except for stove ranges and ovens.

• Keep your engine tuned according to your owner’s manual to increase gas mileage by an average of 4%.
• Keep your tires properly inflated and aligned to increase gas mileage up to 3%.
• Change your oil according to the schedule in your owner’s manual and use the manufacturer’s recommended grade. Motor oil that says “Energy Conserving” on the label contains friction-reducing additives that can improve fuel economy.
• Replace air filters regularly. Clogged filters can reduce gas mileage up to 10%.

Smart drivers know that speeding can cost you at the pump. To make the most of your gas dollar:

• Stay within posted speed limits. Gas mileage decreases at speeds above 60 miles per hour.
• Improve your mileage up to 5% by avoiding quick starts and stops. Anticipate traffic conditions and drive gently.
• Avoid unnecessary idling. It wastes fuel, costs you money, and pollutes the air. Turn off the engine if you anticipate a wait.
• Combine errands. Several short trips can use twice as much fuel as one trip covering the same distance.
• Use overdrive gears and cruise control when appropriate. They improve highway fuel economy.
• Remove items from your trunk. An extra 100 pounds in the trunk can reduce fuel economy by up to 2%.
• Don’t pack items on top of your car unless you have to. The wind resistance of a loaded roof rack can reduce fuel economy by 5%.

Getting Up to Speed

When gasoline prices go up, you look for ways to get better mileage from your car or truck. Whether you’re shopping for a new car or maintaining the one you have, here are some tips that will save you money.

Use the Octane Level You Need. Your owner’s manual tells you the recommended octane level [regular (usually 87 octane), mid-grade (usually 89 octane), and premium (usually 92 or 93 octane)] for your car. For most cars, that’s regular octane. Unless your engine is knocking, buying a higher octane than your car needs is pouring money down the drain.

Beware of “Gas-Saving” Gadgets. Be skeptical about devices that claim to boost your mileage. EPA has tested over 100 of them—everything from mixture “enhancers” to fuel line magnets—and none offered substantial savings. Some devices may even damage your engine or increase emissions. For more information and a list of tested products, visit the EPA’s Consumer Information website.

Consider the Alternatives.  Alternative Fuel Vehicles (AFVs) operate on fuels like methanol, ethanol, compressed natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, or electricity. Driving a car that uses an alternative fuel may reduce harmful pollutants. The law requires labels on all new AFVs to give estimated cruising range and other important information. Compare before you buy. Find out how many miles a new AFV travels on a “tank” of fuel. Some don’t go as far as gas-powered cars.

Understanding terms like “recyclable,” “biodegradable,” and “ozone friendly” can help you protect the environment and make better buying decisions.

“Recycled” — “Recycled” and “recyclable” may sound alike, but they mean very different things. If a label says a product is “recycled,” check for more details. Unless the product or package is made of 100% recycled materials, the label must tell you how much is recycled. A product that says it’s recycled from “post-consumer” material means that it’s made from previously used products like newspapers, plastic bottles, glass containers, or aluminum cans. A product that says it’s recycled from “pre-consumer” material may be made of scraps from the factory. For example, a company making envelopes might recycle paper clippings left over from the manufacturing process to make other paper goods.

“Recyclable” — Claims on labels and advertising that a product is “recyclable” mean that it can be collected and used again or can be made into other useful products. A “recyclable” product is a good choice for the environment only if your community offers a recycling program for that material and you follow their rules for recycling.

Some companies make it easy for you to recycle. For example, grocery stores may take back plastic grocery bags. Some manufacturers of ink cartridges for printers may let you return empty cartridges. Check with your local recycling or solid waste officials about what can be recycled in your community.

“Biodegradable” and “Photodegradable” — “Biodegradable” materials break down into elements found in nature when they are exposed to air or moisture. Cleaning products, like detergents and shampoos, often say they are “biodegradable.” Most of these products degrade in wastewater systems, causing no harm to the environment. “Photodegradable” materials disintegrate when exposed to enough sunlight. However, the breakdown of any material happens very slowly in landfills, where most garbage is taken. Even “biodegradable” materials like paper or food may take decades to break down because they’re buried under tons of other garbage. Just because a product claims to be “biodegradable” or “photodegradable” doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s better for the environment, especially if it winds up in a landfill.

“Compostable” — Composting turns certain things into compost—a material that enriches the soil and returns nutrients to the earth. Some people compost yard trimmings and food scraps. Many communities collect leaves, grass, and other yard waste for composting. When you see a “compostable” claim on a product or package, it means the product can be tossed into your backyard compost pile. If you don’t have your own composting pile, you might be able to take products to a municipal composting facility.

Furnaces and air conditioners are important to your comfort and safety. Whether you’re buying a new house, renovating an old one, or replacing an old system, choosing energy-efficient equipment can save you money.

When you go shopping for a new furnace, heat pump, air conditioner, or water heater, the price tag tells only part of the story. Before you buy, read the EnergyGuide label on that new furnace to find out how energy efficient it is. Then compare it to the label on another model and brand. EnergyGuide labels show how much energy one model uses in comparison with others. Although some high-efficiency appliances may cost more at the outset, they can save money by lowering your energy bills.

For more on using EnergyGuide labels, read EnergyGuidance: Appliance Shopping With the EnergyGuide Label.