Whether you’re a renter or homeowner, you can make eco-friendly changes to your living spaces without breaking the bank or waiting for a landlord to take action. Plus, there are lots of simple, effective ways to conserve energy that don’t involve years of saving up for state-of-the-art solar panel installation. These tips can get you started.
MYTH: You need to be careful not to make a house too tight.
Fact: “Build tight and ventilate right.” All occupied buildings need ventilation. The best investment is to build or renovate as tight as possible, and then control ventilation with highly efficient exhaust fans or an energy recovery ventilator. Energy tight buildings should be approached with a whole systems understanding that includes ventilation strategies.
MYTH: Replacing windows is a good investment for saving energy.
Fact: There are many good reasons to replace windows, but energy savings is rarely one of them. In most residential buildings, window replacement is a poor investment compared to other energy renovations that will provide a quicker return. It is not uncommon that a very drafty window in the middle of a leaky house turns out to be fine once the attic and basement are properly air sealed.
MYTH: The “off” button turns it off.
Fact: Many modern household products still consume energy after being turned off. Home entertainment electronics are a major culprit, but this is also true for small appliances. Turning off power strips is a common solution, or look for smart strips (available at your local appliance or hardware store) that can sense when something is pulling power and turn it off.
MYTH: Adding more insulation in the attic is the best way to stop heat loss.
Fact: Loose insulation and fiberglass batts do not stop air movement, so adding more insulation may not stop convective heat loss. The best investment in most structures is to air seal underneath the existing insulation (in an attic) to stop air leakage and then consider adding additional insulation.
MYTH: Closing off vents and registers will reduce your heating bill.
Fact: The most energy efficient practice is to have heat evenly distributed throughout the house. Blocking vents in certain rooms will make those rooms colder. Because heat moves from greater concentrations to lesser concentrations, these colder rooms will draw heat from other rooms in the house, making the whole house feel colder and causing you to raise the thermostat.
MYTH: Leaving lights, computers and appliances on uses less energy than turning them off and on.
Fact: This may have been true of computers 20 or more years ago when they were massive energy hogs and prone to energy surge damage and wear & tear. But today’s computers are more durable and use a lot less energy. Rule of thumb: any time you can turn a machine or light off, it will save energy.
MYTH: Leaving a ceiling fan on will cool a room…even when you’re not there.
Fact: Fans cool your skin, not the air; they do not lower room temperature. A fan works by circulating the air in an area; when the air moves across the skin, we feel cooler even though the air temperature in the room remains the same. If a fan runs in a room when no one is there, no one is feeling its benefits—therefore it’s just wasting electricity.
MYTH: The solution for ice dams is to call a roofer.
Fact: Ice dams aren’t a roofing problem. Ice dams form when attics are unintentionally heated by air leaks and/or insufficient insulation. This causes snow on the roof to melt, and freeze on the eaves, creating ice dams. You can reduce the risk of ice dams by sealing attic air leaks and adding insulation.
MYTH: The solution for frozen pipes is to call a plumber.
Fact: Though a plumber can repair a frozen pipe, weatherizing is the best way to avoid having them freeze in the first place.
MYTH: It’s easy to tell where my home is losing energy.
Fact: Many homeowners think the biggest air leaks are around windows and doors. While these leaks can be significant, most air leaks are hidden from view, passing through floors and ceilings around chimneys, pipes, ductwork, etc. An Efficiency Maine Participating Energy Advisor, using specialized equipment and a computer model, can identify and quantify the extent of your energy loss.
MYTH: The best way to deal with uncomfortably hot rooms is with an air conditioner.
Fact: With professional weatherization you can often address the source of the discomfort without using energy-draining air conditioners. Professional weatherization not only keeps rooms warmer in the winter, but also keeps them cooler in the summer.
MYTH: Weatherizing your home is a great idea, but it’s not affordable.
Fact: With a low-interest Home Energy Loan from Efficiency Maine, you can borrow up to $25,000 to finance your home weatherization and other energy improvements with great terms and no up-front loan costs. In many cases, energy savings offset the cost of monthly loan payments. Visit www.efficiencymaine.com/pace or call 866-376-2463.
