Home Energy Management Survey 1

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Frederick Hood
6 years ago
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The survey discusses steps you can take to make your home more energy efficient, as well as providing you with ideas on how to better manage your home energy use.

1 Fact Sheet EES-13 November 1991 Home Energy Management Survey 1 Lionel J. Beaulieu, Dennis E. Buffington, Charles J. Delaney, Kathleen E. Wood 2 The Home Energy Management Survey is a "do it yourself" tool that provides YOU, the homeowner, with a variety of ways to conserve energy and save money. The survey discusses steps you can take to make your home more energy efficient, as well as providing you with ideas on how to better manage your home energy use. For the most part these improvements can be made for little or no cost to you. There are a few measures, however, that will necessitate the expenditure of some money. In most cases, the work can be done by you, but if major renovations are necessary the services of a contractor may be required. The main objective of this survey is to provide you with a tool for assessing the energy efficiency of your home. The survey addresses itself to the most likely ways residents of Florida can conserve energy. Obviously, the best way to conserve energy is to design a home that does not need air conditioning, utilizes natural ventilation and relies on a renewable resource, such as wood, for any space heating needs. Recognizing these facts and also that most existing homes in Florida do not meet these criteria, this survey targets the most typical housing stock in Florida where the potential for energy conservation opportunities is greatest. Remember, this survey is not a formal audit. An audit would provide you with precise estimates of savings associated with conservation measures and practices. If you prefer to have a thorough assessment precisely adapted to your home, have an energy audit performed by your local utility company (if that service is available from them) or by a private energy management firm. Because waste and inefficient use of energy in Florida are most often associated with space heating, air conditioning and water heating, we have limited our scope of questions to energy conservation measures and lifestyle practices that relate to these three energy users. With the purpose of helping Floridians conserve energy and save dollars, this survey represents the collective efforts of the Division of Consumer Services, Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services; the Governor s Energy Office; the College of Architecture, Florida A&M University; the Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida; the Gulf Power Company; the Florida Power Corporation; the Florida Power and Light Company; and the Tampa Electric Company. IFAS contributors were Lionel J. Beaulieu, Dennis E. Buffington, Charles J. Delaney, and Kathleen E. Wood, University of Florida, Gainesville. 1. This document is Fact Sheet EES-13, a series of the Florida Energy Extension Service, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Publication date: November Lionel J. Beaulieu, Acting Chair and Professor, 4H and Other Youth Programs; Dennis E. Buffington, Charles J. Delaney, Kathleen E. Wood, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville FL The Florida Energy Extension Service receives funding from the Florida Energy Office, Department of Community Affairs and is operated by the University of Florida s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences through the Cooperative Extension Service. The information contained herein is the product of the Florida Energy Extension Service and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Florida Energy Office. The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function without regard to race, color, sex, age, handicap, or national origin. For information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension Service office. Florida Cooperative Extension Service / Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences / University of Florida / Christine Taylor Stephens, Dean

2 Home Energy Management Survey Page 2 Ceiling ENERGY CONSERVATION MEASURES 1. How much attic insulation do you now have in your home? Walls Answer: Less than 3 in. 3-4 in. 5 or more in. Points: Do you have any insulation in your walls? If you are unsure, or cannot tell, assume you do not have any wall insulation. (Note: Adding insulation to an existing wall can be a difficult and expensive process. insulator or contractor.) Consult a professional Floors 3. If there is a crawl space under your floor, is it insulated? 4. If you have a concrete slab floor, give yourself 15 points. Answer: Slab Floor No Slab Floor

3 Home Energy Management Survey Page 3 Ducts 5. Are central ducts well taped at the joints (no air leaks)? Points: 10 0 Windows 6. Are your windows well sealed and free from drafts? 7. Does your caulking form a complete seal around the outside of your window frames? Points: 3 0 Doors 8. Are your doors well weatherstripped so that you see no light anywhere around your doors? Points: Does the caulking form a complete seal around the outside of your door frames? Points: 3 0

4 Home Energy Management Survey Page 4 Fireplace 10. If you have a fireplace, is it equipped with a damper that is tightly fitting and which is kept closed when the fireplace is not in use? 11. Are the exterior openings around the fireplace caulked? Points: If you do not have a fireplace, give yourself 8 points. Answer: Have no fireplace Have a fireplace Points: 8 0 (Note: This is not intended to diminish the significant savings that can be realized by the use of a fireplace. However, it is important to stress that a fireplace should only be used in a way that your space heating system does not lose heat and that with proper caulking and a tight fitting damper, much of the air infiltration in the home can be eliminated.) Shading 13. Do you shade the windows that receive summer sun (east and west windows)? (Note: shading includes awnings, overhangs, draperies, screens, solar films, trees, etc.)

5 Home Energy Management Survey Page Have you installed an insulating blanket on your water heater? Points: Have you installed restrictors on shower heads? Points: Have you fixed all drips from your water faucets? Points: Do you have or are you considering a solar water heating unit or a system that recovers waste heat from your air conditioner to heat your water? Points: 10 0 (Note: Installing a heat recovery or solar water heating system may not be cost effective for smaller sized families.) Total Score for Energy Conservation Measures: points

6 Home Energy Management Survey Page 6 Space Conditioning ENERGY CONSERVATION PRACTICES 1. Do you set your thermostat at 78 F or higher in the summer? Points: Do you set your thermostat at 68 F or lower in the winter? (Note: Changing the setting on your thermostat represents the greatest potential for energy and dollar savings of any of the no cost changes you can make to your home.) 3. Do you check your filter in your air ventilation system monthly and change it when needed (usually monthly when used continuously)? (Note: Do not block heating and air conditioning grills with furniture, draperies, etc.) 4. If you have central air conditioning, do you set the fan control on the automatic setting?

7 Home Energy Management Survey Page 7 5. Do you lower the thermostat back 5 to 10 F at night during the winter? 6. If there is no one at home for several hours during the day, do you set the temperature back 5 to 10 F in the winter and up to 5 F in the summer? (Note: The above thermostat changes can be accomplished automatically by a clock thermostat or clock timer.) (Note: In North Florida, heat should not be turned off completely when you are going to be out of town for an extended period. However, it should be turned down to F.) 7. Do you turn off your central heating system when you use your fireplace? If you do not have a fireplace, give yourself 5 points. Ventilation 8. Do you open the windows or use fans instead of air conditioning during periods of mild weather?

8 Home Energy Management Survey Page 8 Water Heating 9. Is your water heating thermostat set at 120 F or lower? (Note: If you have a dishwasher without a water heater booster, it is recommended that your thermostat be set at 140 F.) Total Score for Energy Conservation Practices: points EVALUATING YOUR SCORE If your total score for the section on Energy Conservation Measures is: Between 100 and 120 points You have a reasonably energy efficient home Between 70 and 99 points Your home needs improvement for energy savings Less than 70 points Your home needs major attention which will probably require professional assistance If your total score for the section of Energy Conservation Practices is: Between 50 and 70 points You have good energy management practices Between 30 and 49 points Improvements in your energy management practices are needed Less than 30 points You are unnecessarily wasting energy

9 Home Energy Management Survey Page 9 LOCATING ENERGY SAVING ASSISTANCE How did your home measure up in the home energy management survey? If you did not do as well as you could have, there are steps you can take to remedy this. The Cooperative Extension Service (IFAS), designated by the Governor of Florida as your County Energy Information Center, is well stocked with information that can help you find solutions to problems so that you may save both energy and money. Bulletins, publications, fact sheets, films, and other energy related information deal with a multitude of topics such as: insulation, weatherstripping and caulking, more efficient use of appliances and automobiles, alternative energy sources, and energy conservation in a variety of other areas. All are available to you free for the asking. In addition, many of the Cooperative Extension Service offices have programs, slide sets, exhibits, and presentations on energy education available to interested groups. The goal of the Cooperative Extension Service is imply to help you, the energy conscious Floridian, save energy and money. Energy education is an important part of all programs of the Cooperative Extension Service. Extension Agents are prepared to present programs in several program areas, including: Agriculture Natural Resources Home Economics 4-H and Other Youth Community Resource Development Marine Advisory These county educators receive technical backup from faculty located on the University of Florida, Gainesville campus and the Research and Education Centers at 23 other IFAS locations in Florida. Programs can be arranged to meet your special needs. Furthermore, the Cooperative Extension Service maintains close liaison with many agencies both public and private that can provide additional assistance to you and your community. For example, do you know who to contact for weatherization assistance if you are on a low to moderate income, or do you know who to contact for test results and advice on solar water heating systems? Extension personnel can help guide you in sorting through the opportunities available through public and private programs. For more information contact the Cooperative Extension Service office in your county.

EC The Effective Detective : Finding Energy Savings at Home

EC The Effective Detective : Finding Energy Savings at Home University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln Historical Materials from University of Nebraska- Lincoln Extension Extension 1978 EC78-2051 The Effective Detective : Finding