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Energy Proofing Your Windows

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When we think of Energy Star compliant we tend to think of appliances such as televisions, computers, dishwashers, refrigerators, etc and the amount of energy associated with their use, but seldom do people realize that the Energy Star compliant also applies to your home, more specifically, your windows.

The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) broadened their criteria to include energy efficiency for residential homes and commercial buildings one of the criteria for judging a home for how efficiently it uses its energy is to test its windows for any energy leaks.

The reason why particular attention is directed toward the windows is because it is estimated that around 30% of the home’s total energy is lost because of them, while at the same time being responsible for as much as 25% of your heating or air conditioning bill due to the air these inefficient windows allow to leak in and out. This means that your home is much cooler in winter than it should be and much hotter in summer, especially with the way older windows are designed, this is because homes greater than 14 years weren’t built with a green perspective in mind. Around half of all the homes in the US alone were built with single paned glass windows which is responsible for energy losses.

Fortunately with developing technology and a green, sustainable picture in mind has seen the advancement of design where windows are now twice as energy efficient than compared to 25 years ago. With reduction of lost energy come smaller utility bills. With older windows because hot and cold air is constantly being lost the more energy must be expended in order to counteract this loss, resulting in higher energy bills.

Window proofing for leaks can help you save money on your heating while making use of the existing energy within the home meaning you use less energy without sacrificing creature comforts or without having to make any real major changes to your lifestyle.

Budget is a big factor when it comes to replacing your windows with more energy efficient ones which can set you back around $15,000, a home energy audit is always highly recommended to test if completely replacing your windows is the best solution compared with less costly alternatives such as replacement inserts rather than replacing the entire window.

There are several benefits to energy proofing your windows:

Less money spent on heating and cooling due to your windows ability to better facilitate the existing energy more efficiently.
Enhanced comfort and living standards with a warm, dry living environment.

Improved health and reduced illness due to proper heating and the reduction of condensation and the dangerous fungal molds usually associated with damp living conditions.

http://www.dsf.health.state.pa.us/health/cwp/view.asp?a=171&q=231318

Less carbon emissions due to the reduced need to consume more energy and the less impact on the environment associated with that energy production.

Better use of natural light.

Reduced noise pollution from the double glaze insulated design.

Receive an Energy Star tax credit through energy efficient windows. You may be eligible for a tax credit of up to 30% of the cost of your windows, up to $1,5002. What better incentive than to be rewarded for your green efforts. However, you must check for eligibility as not all windows carrying the Energy Star logo qualify for this rebate.

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=windows_doors.pr_taxcredits

Here are some tips to energy proof your windows:

Double pained windows contain an insulating layer of air between the two pains which reduces the amount of heat lost and gained.
Triple glazed on the other hand has two insulating air layers separated by three layers of glass which makes this one of the most efficient designs around not only with its obvious energy savings but its reduction in noise pollution.

Those living in cooler climates are now starting to use energy efficient windows containing low emissivity coatings on the glass preventing additional heat loss.

Energy efficient windows are a lifestyle choice with big rewards as the savings in energy bills over a lifetime add up nicely to a small fortune.

Filed Under: Energy Efficient, Green Homes Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Geothermal Heating Systems

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Geothermal heating systems provide warmth to a home by extracting heat from a heat source. The theory behind it is that heat in essence can be extracted from any source regardless of its temperature. This means that even cooler environments can make potential heat sources, however sources that are warmer in temperature have greater efficiency.

The concept behind geothermal heating systems is that it works much like a refrigerator which uses a heat pump to force heat transfer. Geothermal heating systems have the ability to trap heat from a cold environment and transfer it to a warmer one and are able to manipulate the natural direction of flow.

Geothermal heating systems use the ground as a heat source to capitalize on the marginal temperatures immediately below the earth’s surface. Shallow earth at depths of 30 feet make it an ideal heat source for geothermal heating systems because the temperatures at these levels vary only slightly, even with seasonal fluctuation, making it a reliable and efficient form of energy generation.
Not only do geothermal heating systems heat in winter but they can also cool in summer as the process can be reversed, rather than pumping heat into a home, heat is extracted to the ground.

Geothermal heating systems are becoming a popular form of alternative energy with an excess of one million units sold worldwide and an estimated annual growth rate of 10%.

Although geothermal heating systems may cost more than conventional systems the returns are financially rewarding with the reduction of electricity bills, the cost of materials and installation can be recouped within 3 to 7 years. Consider geothermal heating systems a long term investment that will not only pay for itself but will also make less of a dent when it comes to the impact of your carbon footprint as geothermal heating systems that operate under closed loop conditions are virtually emission free.

In addition to saving more in the long run, geothermal heating systems are long lasting and durable with their estimated lifespan being around 25 years making geothermal heating systems a solid choice.

There are several different types of geothermal heating systems and they range from direct exchange systems to closed loop, vertical and horizontal closed loop systems.

Direct exchange geothermal heating systems operate by way of a closed loop system of refrigerant in direct contact with the ground. This particular system is called direct exchange because it does not require the use of an intermediate fluid to facilitate the transfer of heat. This means that only heat is transferred across the pipe for immediate use making them one of the most efficient types of geothermal heating systems out there on the market. Installation of the direct exchange geothermal heating systems is also more economical in comparison to a closed loop water system.

Closed loop water geothermal heating systems unlike their direct exchange counterparts need the assistance of a heat exchanger linking both refrigerant and water loops and their respective pumps. Closed loop water systems have lower efficiency than systems not requiring the use of water as they need larger pipes meaning increased expended energy to power them along with escalated installation costs.

Geothermal heating systems are a great way to take advantage of geothermal technology providing an efficient, clean low cost method of energy generation.

Filed Under: Energy Efficient, Green Homes Tagged With: ,

How Tree Planting Helps the Environment

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Tree planting or re-greening is a simple thing that anyone at any level can participate in, from government initiatives on a global scale to local involvement at community and individual levels.

Tree planting has so many advantages, not only does it offer increased privacy for residential properties but can also enhance beautiful views or masque less than picture perfect ones while reducing the amount of glare and sound. Planting trees is also a great property investment as it raises the value of your home especially with landscaped grounds.

These advantages extend far beyond the aesthetic, well positioned trees can actually lead to lower energy usage due to the increased shading reducing the need for additional cooling from air conditioners with the greatest benefits arising from their positive effects on the environment. Not only do they absorb harmful carbon dioxide from the air enabling us to offset some of our environmental impact through our carbon producing activities but they also produce oxygen and water, two very important by-products from photosynthesis that we need to survive.

Tree planting also helps to recover from the devastating effects of deforestation all over the globe. The resulting environmental impact from the loss of trees has caused several of the problems that our planet faces today including climate change and extreme weather conditions that with the proper ground cover would normally insulate us from.

Another benefit of tree planting is the conservation of rainwater and the reduction of water pollution. By lessening the amount of paved surfaces in favor of trees and ground vegetation, the amount of excess groundwater runoff is decreased. This means that we can effectively reduce what ends up going into our drains and consequently our ocean simply through the process of tree planting. With the greater volume of trees the more ground water runoff can be absorbed back to the earth before it has a chance to reach the storm water drains. Pollutants are also absorbed into the ground with the trees root system removing harmful toxins as it percolates down through the top soil layer.

Tree planting is one the most selfless things a person can contribute to their environment because it’s a long term solution for future generations to benefit from, consider your tree planting a gift to the world and your legacy to leave behind. Speaking of legacy, you can have a wonderful time teaching your children about the environment with a tree planting which shows them one of the best ways to give back to their environment. There are many things that you can teach your children about energy consumption and finding alternative ways to supply their energy needs, however tree planting can be a great solution to repair some of the damage done to the planet.

Being more conscious of the way that we use our resources and finding ways to replace them is something that we as human beings owe our planet. Plant a tree in your yard or join a tree planting movement to become involved in this very worthwhile pursuit. Your planet will thank you for your efforts.

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Protect Your Future – 5 Ways to Reduce Your Energy Usage

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When the alarm over energy usage and the diminishing supply of fossil fuels was placed within the public realm, a lot of people started to become more and more aware of the amount of their personal energy consumption and what effect it was having on our planet. If you are one of these people and are looking for a way to help out with the environment and reduce your energy usage, there are five simple steps to helping you to cut back on the amount of traditional energy you use and we are going to cover them here.

One of the first things that people trying to cut down on energy consumption do is to make sure that they turn off all of the unnecessary lights in their home. You may think this is a no brainer but next time look at your power bill and think how much it could be reduced by just by making that little bit of extra effort. Try being more vigilant in this task for the next month by making a real commitment to stick to it and compare your current power bill with next month’s one to measure how much money you actually can save over the long term just by doing this simple thing.

In fact your mother probably taught you to turn off the lights when you are not in a room, and there is some truth to this. Even with low voltage bulbs, it can help to make a difference to keep them switched off when they are not in use.

Get a digital programmable thermostat for your home. This way, you can set the thermostat to run the heat or air conditioning less when you are out, and then set the temperature to go back to comfortable levels just before you return. If the system is not running all day it will cut back significantly on the amount of energy you use.

Rely on solar power whenever you can. If you use outdoor lights, then switch these over to run on solar energy. You can also get a portable solar charger that can charge up small appliances like cell phones and laptops. While people mainly use these devices on the go, you can also routinely use them in the home as well.

Reduce your water consumption. You can accomplish this by cutting back on the amount you water your lawn, making sure that none of your faucets are dripping, and turning off the water when you are not using it.

Make sure that all of the bulbs in your home have been switched over to the low voltage compact fluorescents. Incandescent bulbs can almost triple your energy usage. Also, if you do have any outside bulbs that are not operated by solar power you need to make sure that they have the capability to turn themselves off during the daylight hours. This way even if you forget to turn the light off it will not be operating all day.

Just follow these five simple steps and you will be able to cut back on your energy consumption. Not only will you be working to save the environment, but you will also be reducing your utility bills as well.

Filed Under: General Tagged With: , ,

Energy Efficient Features of ENERGY STAR Qualified New Homes

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energystarlogo

To earn the ENERGY STAR, a home must meet guidelines for energy efficiency set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. These homes are at least 15% more energy efficient than homes built to the 2004 International Residential Code (IRC), and include additional energy-saving features that typically make them 20-30% more efficient than standard homes.

With homebuyers increasingly interested in green building, energy efficiency is the place to start. That’s because the energy used in homes often comes from the burning of fossil fuels at power plants, which contributes to smog, acid rain, and risks of global warming.

So, the less energy used, the less air pollution generated. And the easy way to make sure a new home is energy efficient is to look for the blue ENERGY STAR mark, the government-backed symbol for energy efficiency.

Any home three stories or less can earn the ENERGY STAR label if it has been verified to meet EPA’s guidelines, including: single family, attached, and low-rise multi-family homes; manufactured homes; systems-built homes (e.g., SIP, ICF, or modular construction); log homes, concrete homes; and even existing retrofitted homes.

ENERGY STAR qualified homes can include a variety of ‘tried-and-true’ energy-efficient features that contribute to improved home quality and homeowner comfort, and to lower energy demand and reduced air pollution:

1. Effective Insulation
Properly installed and inspected insulation in floors, walls, and attics ensures even temperatures throughout the house, reduced energy use, and increased comfort.

2. High-Performance Windows
Energy-efficient windows employ advanced technologies, such as protective coatings and improved frames, to help keep heat in during winter and out during summer. These windows also block damaging ultraviolet sunlight that can discolor carpets and furnishings.

3. Tight Construction and Ducts
Sealing holes and cracks in the home’s “envelope” and in heating and cooling duct systems helps reduce drafts, moisture, dust, pollen, and noise. A tightly sealed home improves comfort and indoor air quality while reducing utility and maintenance.

4. Efficient Heating and Cooling Equipment
In addition to using less energy to operate, energy-efficient heating and cooling systems can be quieter, reduce indoor humidity, and improve the overall comfort of the home. When properly installed into a tightly sealed home, this equipment won’t have to work so hard to heat and cool the home.

5. Efficient Products
ENERGY STAR qualified homes may also be equipped with ENERGY STAR qualified products – lighting fixtures, compact fluorescent bulbs, ventilation fans, and appliances, such as refrigerators, dishwashers, and washing machines.

6. Third-Party Verification
With the help of independent Home Energy Raters, ENERGY STAR builder partners choose the most appropriate energy-saving features for their homes. Additionally, raters conduct onsite testing and inspections to verify the energy efficiency measures, as well as insulation, air tightness, and duct sealing details.

We will explore each feature of an energy efficient home in future posts. Stay tuned!

Filed Under: Energy Efficient Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,
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