by Shana Fong on October 26, 2010
Getting your kids excited about saving energy helps them adopt lifelong values about energy use, money, and the environment. By turning energy-saving tasks into games, you can make learning about energy fun and easy.
Bring home real results by encouraging games and activities such as:
- Keep count of how many times your kids turn off the lights in unoccupied rooms, and reward them after they reach a certain number each week.
- Ask your children to track down all the incandescent lights in the house, and replace them with efficient bulbs together.
- Use a Kill-A-Watt electricity usage monitor with your kids to identify which appliance or electronic in the house is the biggest energy hog. If you decide it’s time to replace it, shop for a new one with an Energy Star label together.
Check out the U.S. Department of Energy’s site for other games, tips, and facts.
by Shana Fong on October 20, 2010
According to the Energy Information Administration, the average U.S. household will pay $986 this winter (October 1 to March 31). This is up $24, or 2.5 percent, from last winter – and it would be worse if not for the fact that heating degree-days are expected to be 3% warmer this season.
Consumers who heat with oil will see the biggest hike in expenditures up an average of 11.5 percent to $1,906. That’s followed by propane (up 7.5 percent to $1,830) and natural gas (up 3.6 percent to $751). Consumers who heat with electricity will actually see their bills go down 1.9 percent on average to $959.
Make sure you follow these easy steps to help winterize your home so you can stay comfortable without skyrocketing energy bills.
by Shana Fong on October 18, 2010
Winter is just around the corner – time to think about how you can button up your house to make sure it’s comfortable without costing you a fortune in energy bills. The Daily Green has put together a great list of easy weekend projects to help you winterize your home.
- Dodge the Draft(s)
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, drafts can waste 5% to 30% of your energy use. Start simple and adopt that old Great Depression fixture — the draft snake, which you can easily make yourself. Just place a rolled bath towel under a drafty door, or make a more attractive DIY draft snake.
- Change Furnace Filters
Yes it’s easy to forget, but it’s important to replace or clean furnace filters once a month during the heating season. Dirty filters restrict airflow and increase energy demand. Here’s a worry-saving tip: mark a monthly check on your calendar.
Better, consider switching to a permanent filter, which will reduce waste and hassle. Did you know that disposable fiberglass filters trap a measly 10 to 40% of debris? Electostatic filters trap around 88%, and are much better at controlling the bacteria, mold, viruses and pollen that cause illness and irritation.
- Run Fans in Reverse
Most people think of fans only when they want to be cool, but many ceiling units come with a handy switch that reverses the direction of the blades. Counterclockwise rotation produces cooling breezes while switching to clockwise makes it warmer: air pooled near the ceiling is circulated back into the living space – cutting your heating costs as much as 10%!
- Turn Down Your Water Heater
While many conventional water heaters are set to 140 degrees F by installers, most households don’t need that much steam, and end up paying for it — in dollars and the occasional scalding burn. Lowering the temperature to 120 degrees F (or lower) would reduce your water heating costs by 6% to 10%.
- Give Your Heating System a Tune-Up
You probably already know that cars need periodic tune-ups in order to run their best. Well the same is true for heating equipment. Keeping your furnace clean, lubricated and properly adjusted will reduce energy use, saving up to 5% of heating costs.
If your entire furnace is in need of replacement, it will cost a lot more — but replacing an inefficient burner for a modern machine will save you every month through the heating season. Be sure to take advantage of federal tax credits for new furnaces, which can cover 30% of the cost, up to $1,500.
- Mind That Thermostat
It’s easy to forget to turn down the heat when you leave the building, but doing so is one of the surest ways to save money. Most households shell out 50 to 70% of their energy budgets on heating and cooling, so why pay for what no one uses?
For every degree you lower the thermostat during heating season, you’ll save between 1 and 3% of your heating bill. Make it easier with a programmable thermostat; they are widely available for as little as $50, and the average family will save $180 a year with one.
For even higher impact on your home’s comfort and energy bills, contact Recurve so we can provide expertise on projects such as:
- Air sealing – simple leaks can sap home energy efficiency by 5% to 30% a year, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
- Insulation – it may not seem sexy, but insulation is one of the best ways to save energy and money at home.
- Duct sealing – studies show 10% to 30% of heated (or cooled) air in an average system escapes from ducts. Properly sealing ducts can save the average home up to $140 annually, according to the American Solar Energy Society.
- Upgrade to an efficient furnace – if your furnace is old, you could save a lot of money in the long run (and improve your home’s value) by upgrading to a new unit.
by Shana Fong on September 27, 2010
Fall is the perfect time to start prepping your house for winter. The U.S. Department of Energy suggests these 5 steps to ensure that your home stays comfortable this winter without costing you an arm and a leg:
- Look for rebates from your utility or state. Recurve has put together a handy resource for available incentives on our website.
- Get an energy audit. In order to know how to save energy, you have to first find out where you are losing energy – and money.
- Have your heating system serviced. Keep your system operating efficiently, and don’t forget to replace your furnace filter once a month or as needed.
- Find and seal your air leaks. This includes less obvious gaps such as recessed lights and unfinished spaces behind cupboards and closets.
- Check your insulation and add more as needed. Insulation is often the most cost-effective energy improvement you can make in your home.
by Shana Fong on September 7, 2010
The city of San Francisco has started to offer up to $2,000 in incentives for energy efficiency improvements. According to the San Francisco Business Times, the program is funded by a $3.2 billion program from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. California was awarded $49.6 million from that for its Energy Efficiency Conservation and Block Grant Program. San Francisco got $7.7 million, which is enough to fund 400 energy efficiency upgrades, said Raymond Manion, energy specialist at the San Francisco Department of the Environment.
These rebates can be used on top of the latest incentives from PG&E (up to $3,500). And combined with federal rebates and the Cash for Appliances program, homeowners can get a total of up to $8,000 for making their home more energy-wise. Sounds like a win-win situation for everyone!
Contact Recurve today at 877.303.0979 to get started. Hurry though – these funds are extremely limited. Cash for Appliances is 60% gone and tax credits expire this year.
by Adam Winter on August 17, 2010
Cold water that goes down the drain while your customers are waiting for hot water to reach sinks and showerheads is like money flowing through their fingers. Here’s a relatively simple and affordable fix that can help most American homeowners save thousands of gallons of water every year – and take a slice off their energy bills to boot:
The Metlund Hot Water D’MAND System
http://www.gothotwater.com
- A fast on-demand recirculation pump diverts ambient-temperature water in hot water pipes back to the water heater until hot water reaches the tap.
- Water moves more rapidly from the hot water heater to the point of use, so your customers won’t have to wait long for a hot shower.
- D’MAND pumps may be activated by wired-in buttons, motion sensors or wireless remotes.
- Can use the existing cold water line as a return line, so special plumbing is not required for retrofits.
- Less heat radiates from water pipes than with timed or continuous recirculation systems, potentially saving homeowners $50 to $300 a year in energy costs alone.
- Can extend water heater life by enabling lower thermostat settings and reducing sedimentation in the bottom of the hot water tank.
- Unlike timed or continuous recirculation systems, D’MAND does not void most tankless water heater warranties (check with the heater manufacturer to confirm)
- D’MAND pumps are available in retrofit and new construction models.
- Multiple pumps may be required in homes with complicated plumbing loops or additions.
According to Metlund’s own calculations, a typical household that saves 20 gallons of water a day by installing a D’MAND system would save anywhere from $151 to $242 a year in water, sewer and energy costs (depending on the type of hot water heater). For every year of its 15-year lifespan, the system would take a 7,300-gallon load off of local water and wastewater treatment systems, and prevent about a ton of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere.
Our take: On-demand recirculation pumps can be somewhat less convenient for homeowners than timed or continuous pumps, but Metlund’s system provides a highly effective and economical solution to water waste for homeowners who use it properly. Just be sure to educate your customers and set appropriate expectations before installing.
Note: Recurve does not endorse this or any other product. We encourage qualified Home Performance contractors to gain hands-on experience with products profiled in this newsletter before making their own assessments.
by Shana Fong on
PG&E has just announced an exciting new rebate program for energy efficiency.
Here’s how it works:
- The rebate amount is based on the software-modeled energy use reduction in your home as a result of a home energy upgrade
- A 20% reduction earns $2000 in rebates. Each 5% reduction beyond that earns another $375, up to $3500
- This is a limited pilot program
Here’s how you get the money:
- Hire a home performance contractor (that’s us!) to perform an energy audit of your home
- Work with your specialist to choose and implement cost-effective improvements to achieve the desired energy use reduction
- Receive your rebate money as you enjoy your newly efficient, comfortable home!
Why Recurve?
- We provide all necessary steps in one place (audit, remodel, retest) and we manage the application process for you
- Our team is the most experienced in the Bay Area in comprehensive energy audits and home energy remodels
- We’re Building Performance Institute (BPI) Accredited
Learn more here. Call (415) 728-9726 or click here to get started!
by Shana Fong on August 4, 2010
In the average American home, the water heater is the second or third largest energy user.
As long as you can get a hot shower in the morning, you probably don’t think too much about your water heater. But this mysterious appliance has a huge impact on the environment. Based on the California Energy Commission’s estimate of energy use in a typical household, water heating consumes about 31% of the energy used.
Energy Facts
- Between 15%-30% of the energy your water heater uses goes to keeping a tank of water hot, just in case you need it.
- Hot water heaters have adjustable thermostats. For every 10° you lower the water temperature, you can save 3%-5% of your water heating energy.
- The heat that escapes through the sides of the tank is especially important if it’s in an unheated spot like a basement or back porch. A water heater blanket can save 5%-10% of the energy you’ve been using.
Simple Ways to Save Energy
- Adjust the temperature setting on the water heater to 120°F. If you have a dishwasher that cannot heat water with a built-in booster heater, set the water heater to 140°F. Electric water heaters have two thermostats that should be set the same. Use a thermometer at the faucet to gauge water temperature. Don’t rely on the dial on the heater; they’re generally inaccurate. With electric water heaters, turn off power to the tank before adjusting the themostat.
- Put your hand on your water heater. If it feels warm, install an insulating blanket around it. The colder the area the heater is in, the greater the heat loss. So if it’s in the garage in the winter, you’re going to lose a lot of heat.
- Insulate the hot and cold water pipes leaving the tank, wherever they are accessible. Cover at least the first five feet (preferably ten) and keep the insulation three inches away from gas flues. Foam sleeves or adhesive-backed foam tape are available at hardware stores.
- When replacing an old tank, make sure the new one is the correct size for your family and is energy efficient.
- Electric water heaters should be turned off if you leave home for more than a few nights. It takes about four hours to reheat the water when you turn it back on.
Excerpted from 30 Simple Energy Things You Can Do To Save The Earth, by The EarthWorks Group.