Save Energy & Money NOW!
(Page 5 of 8)
October/November 2001
By Joe Hurst-Wajszczuk
Don't let fluorescents' dim history scare you away. Early models did tend to hum and cast a cold, bluish light. But today more advanced ballasts (the mechanism that starts and regulates the light) and improved phosphers make fluorescents indistinguishable from incandescents. Look for compact fluorescent lights (CFLs). These bulbs have the same screw fittings as standard incandescents, so you can avoid having to install new fixtures.
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Compact fluorescents seem pricey at $25 per bulb, but as the chart at left shows, they last a very long time and will save you nearly $50 per bulb compared to incandescants, while providing the same amount of light.
Appliances
Most homeowners don't realize that the total operating costs for dishwashers, TVs, dryers and other appliances often exceed what you paid for the appliances in the first place. Using inefficient appliances-or efficient appliances inefficiently - can cost you hundreds of dollars each year. Here's how you can plug these invisible energy leaks.
Water Heaters. Heating water costs the average family $160 to $390 per year (electric heaters usually cost twice as much as gas units), or approximately 14 percent of your utility bills.
Lower the heater's thermostat. Most heaters are preset to 140 degrees Fahrenheit, but 115 to 120 degrees is hot enough. If you have to mix cold water with the hot at the tap, then it's set too high. Each l0-degree reduction will save you 13 percent on your water heating costs.
A tank jacket (about $12) will reduce heat loss by 25 to 45 percent, which translates into a 4 to 9 percent savings on your water heating costs. If you're installing a new heater, install it on top of a rigid insulation pad. Protecting the tank from the cold concrete will save an additional 4 to 9 percent.
Drain a quart of water from the tank at least four times a year to keep the heater working at its peak. This will remove waterborne sediment, which builds up in the tank and lowers efficiency. (The sediment interferes with the transfer of heat from the burner into the water.) Check the manufacturer's instructions for the proper draining procedure.
Consider a tankless heater to completely eliminate storage-related heat loss. These systems produce hot water on demand, saving you 15 to 20 percent compared with conventional hot water tanks.
Install a new showerhead. High efficiency showerheads are designed to give plenty of soap-rinsing power, but use only 1 to 2.5 gallons per minute, compared with conventional heads with flow rates of 3.5 to 6 gallons per minute. The head will pay for itself in three months to a year. Retrofitting one showerhead and two faucets can cut your annual heating bill by about $86 if you have an electric water heater - $36 if you use natural gas - and will reduce water bills an average of $33.
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