Homeowners have more control over energy consumption than apartment dwellers but there are ways you can do your part to save energy in an apartment as well. The main areas of inefficiency in an apartment are the fridge, the oven and the air conditioner. If you change the way you use those appliances in your apartment you too can lower your energy bills and save yourself money.

The refrigerator is an energy draining machine. However, there are things you can do to keep it running more efficiently. Two of the main things you can do to save energy are to keep it pulled away from the wall slightly so air can circulate and vacuum the back condenser coils every year. These two tips will prevent your refrigerator from overheating and over running. Another energy saving tip is not to allow the ice buildup in the freezer get any thicker than ¼” before you defrost it. Too much ice buildup doesn’t allow for proper sealing. Also, check door gaskets for wear and replace any worn door gaskets they are important for keeping cool air in and warm air out.

Cooking can take a lot of energy, especially when you use the oven. Make sure to avoid preheating the oven and don’t open the door when you are using it. Not only will the elements turn on to bring the temperature back up, it will release heat into the apartment which will increase cooling costs in the warmer months. To take energy efficiency one step further, try to avoid using the oven whenever possible. Microwaves are built to save energy so any cooking that can be done in them should be. Stoves run off of 220 volts not your standard 120 volts, meaning they pull 100 volts more energy than your standard microwave plug-in. Never use the oven to warm the apartment when it is cold.

To lower costs during the summer try closing shades and blinds to prevent the sun from adding to the heat. When you are not home turn the air conditioning off, and if you find it too hot when you return, install a timer to turn the air on ½ hour before you get home. Like the refrigerator, keeping the unit clean will help to save energy by keeping the filter and cooling fins in good working condition.

Some apartments come with the appliances already provided and if that be the case you will have to maintain them as best as possible. If you are buying your own appliances than make sure you buy energy efficient ones. If they ever need to be replaced make sure your landlord is interested in the energy efficient models.

Saving energy costs in an apartment may not be as substantial as the amount of energy that can be saved by homeowners but putting these tips to good use will help to save energy and every bit helps our environment as well as our pocket bills.

When we think to save energy in our home, we think mainly about conserving on the lights and the efficiency of our appliances. Most of us don’t put any thought into our hot water systems. Your hot water system can use more energy than the lights and appliances combined together if not insulated properly.

There are four main areas to your water system that you can make more energy efficient and save money on your energy costs:

· Insulating the water pipes

· Insulating the water tank

· Installing flow restrictors and aerators

· Fixing leaky faucets

As hot water travels through your pipes it loses heat. If you insulate your pipes you can lower the main temperature setting on your hot water tank by a few degrees and the water will still be plenty warm by the time it gets to you. You can either use regular batt insulation which you can seal up with duct tape or the easy snap on type. Both can be purchased at most hardware stores. The main stipulation is that it should be at least a ½” thick to be efficient.

Insulating your hot water tank will also help to save energy by maintaining the correct temperature of the sitting water. This will prevent the system from turning on as often, costing money and using
energy every time it turns on. Some newer models of water heaters are already well insulated so there is no need for additional insulation. But, any water heater that feels warm to the touch should be insulated. The vinyl-covered insulating jacket can also be purchased at any hardware store and the cost will be recouped in a short period of time by the savings you will notice on your bill.

Flow restrictors and aerators are other simple ways to save energy. A flow restrictor will regulate the amount of water that comes out of your showerhead. It can save you up to a gallon of water per minute in the shower alone. An aerator tap will add air to the water coming from the taps to reduce the amount needed to do a job. Restrictors and aerators are easy to install by following the manufactures’ directions.

The most important way to save energy and water is to fix any leaks or drips that you may have in your water system. Pipes and faucets should be well maintained. Even at one drop of water per second you will be losing five gallons of water each day. That is 150 gallons of water per month in wasted energy and water that could easily have been prevented.

The next time you are looking at the lights in your home and considering changing them to energy efficient bulbs, or upgrading your appliances, give a moment to think about your water system. Just by following these few easy steps of insulation, restriction and maintenance you can help to save energy and lower your monthly water heating bill.

Trees are designed to protect themselves from the elements of nature. We can in turn take advantage of those trees to help protect us from the same elements. Having nature around us can help to save energy in every season of the year. Planting trees and shrubs around your home will help to bring down your heating and cooling bills.

As refreshing as it is, air conditioning is an inefficient system that drains an incredible amount of energy. Planting high leaf losing (deciduous) trees in the summer to shade the house will keep your house cooler and reduce your energy consumption. Without the sun beating down on your roof you may find that a fan is all that is
needed to keep cool. If you still need to run the air conditioner you will be able to set it a few degrees higher and save energy. In the winter, the leaves will fall to allow the sunlight a direct path to your home which will help keep it warm.

Evergreen shrubs planted around the foundation of your house will act as a natural wind barrier which will save energy and lower heating costs. At the very least, plant a row on the side of your home that receives the worst of the winter winds. Planting a larger evergreen in front of those old windows to break the wind will help reduce the
heat loss as well. In the summer, it will shade the suns heat from beaming in. It is also a good way to cover up an unsightly view. You will find your heating/cooling system turning on less often.

Trees with large root systems will help to keep the moisture in your yard, which will lessen the need to water as often. Don’t pick a tree that has shallow roots because these roots will grow upwards and out the top of your lawn not only causing havoc on your lawnmower but sucking up all the moisture it can find. If your yard is unsuitable for a large tree, then a bed of shrubs with a rock garden will add to the root system keeping moisture in. They can be built into a beautiful nursery, you will be proud to show off. The less lawn you have the less need there will be to water it, which will save energy.

Trees and shrubs can be laid out to look very eye-catching and bring a feeling of peace to your home with their natural beauty. Functionally we can benefit from them by keeping our homes in a space protected from seasonal elements. Not only will you help lower the energy costs of running your home, you will also be helping to save a piece of that natural world.

If you spend more time in one part of the house, more than others, you may want to consider a space heater to help offset electric bills.

I am not talking about one of those electric hogs that use way juice than is practical; I am talking about one that uses the recent ‘gel’ technology. Gel space heaters run a low voltage current through them, that heat up the gel inside. Once it is nice and warm, the electric draw stops- leaving you with a safe, warm, and quiet radiant heat that will warm as much as 100 sf.

Even the ‘old school’ or ‘efficient’ space heaters would draw about 3000 watts per hour, or as much as 11,000 watts per hour if you weren’t watching. If you turned off your central heat it might be alright, but using them both could really break the bank.

Propane was widely accepted for a long time because propane was so cheap. But this is not the case anymore. It is can cost almost as much as gasoline and they can put off noxious fumes like carbon monoxide, making them very dangerous. If your sleeping space is not well ventilated, you could be paying a lot more than you think.

If you have small children about, it is easy for one of them to get burned unless the space heater is placed out of reach making them not an effective as they could be. Since these typically pull anywhere from 2300 to 4100 watts per hour, unless you have a very cheap source of propane, these are best to use during an emergency situation only.

Gel heaters are becoming more and more popular these days, and can be found under many names, but for this article I am going to take a look at Econo-Heat. Their products can be mounted directly to the wall, and painted to match if you like. They can be hard wired, or plugged in, and have the option of a thermostat if you prefer.

They use only 250-450 watts per hour, and heat up 100 sf without a sound. Once the gel is hot, the electric draw shuts off, and they sit there radiating heat without any more electric current. They catch no dust, or mold, and can be controlled at your discretion.

So why worry about your old space heater, if it is still working, how much use you can get out of it before you can’t afford it anymore. Look into a gel heater and see how easy it is to heat your home using this technology. You will glad you did.

Open Refrigerators Waste Money

Since there is no way around this expenditure, if you are concerned about your refrigerators efficiency, try putting these practical habits into effect.

1. Don’t stand in front of it with the door open. This is the single biggest reason refrigerators cost what they do. We will stand there, letting all the cold air out, forcing the compressor to kick in and cool it off again. The less that compressor is running, the less electricity it will draw.
2. Adjust the temperature to fit the season. If you are like me, you set it, and then forget it. A good way to gauge temperature is to take a thermometer and place it inside a glass of water, within the refrigerator. Wait a few hours, it should read 34-40 degrees F. If yours is too cold, turn it up a little. Your food will still remain fresh and you won’t have to cool anymore than you have to. Likewise with the freezer; it should read somewhere between 0-5 degrees F.
3. If you don’t use the freezer that much, try filling a few milk cartons with frozen water. Leave them inside the freezer to help keep the temperature constant. It will keep your compressor from working too hard, and add extra cold air to help fill up the space.
4. Don’t be in such a hurry to put away warm food after a meal. Leave it out, and let it cool down to room temperature before you add it to the refrigerators space. This can add more to your savings than you think.
5. Lastly, pull the refrigerator out once in awhile and vacuum the coils on the back of it. Dirt and dust will interfere with the cooling system, and making it work harder than it needs to, but a little dusting will help you get the most out of your appliance, and help it last longer than most others of the same age.

Applying these simple guidelines will add to your refrigerators life and effectiveness, and help you save more money for the things that you can do without ~

Wasting Money in Laundry

1. Wash in cold water. Using hot water for showers only will help reduce the hot water heater use, thus lowering your overall electric draw within your home. Up to 90% of the washer/ dryer electric expense is from heating the hot water cycle. Unless you really need it hot, cold water will do just fine.
2. Wait until you have a fairly full load. Using these appliances to wash 3-4 items can add a lot more than you think to your electric bill.
3. Front loading washers are believed to be more efficient because they use less water to get the job done. Using less water means heating less water, and finishing cycles a lot faster.
4. Don’t forget to clean both the washer, and the dryer, including the lint trap. Dust and mold can colect and make these appliances less efficinet, making them work harder to do the same job.
5. By running your dryer on the ‘no heat’ cycle, this will also help reduce the electric draw. Rolling clothes around in there with no heat will still dry them, and if you hang them up right away you will not get any wrinkles either.
6. Better still, if you have the ability to line dry them, this will also put off drawing more electrciity than you need to.
7. If you are in the market for a new dryer, check out the new ‘sensor technology’ found in newer models. This will turn the dryer off when the clothes are truly dry, and not just run the cycle. There is a temperature guage inside that can read the moisture content, and respond accordingly.

If you are serious about reducing your electric draw, and making a positive impact on your enviornment, start with your appliances. Everybody’s got them, but few really know how to use them to their full potencial.

Air leak control is one of the most important factors when trying to save energy in your home. Blocking drafts reduce heat loss, which will cut energy costs and save you money. Some of the draftiest areas in your home are also the easiest to fix such as the electrical outlets, trim areas, and windows seals. Checking these three main areas will make a noticeable reduction in your energy costs.

Electrical outlets can provide a direct path of air through your walls and into your living space. There are special foam pads that have been approved by CSA International, which fit under the cover of your outlet. The pads will act like insulation, blocking the flow of air. You can also buy insulated plug covers, which have the pad fastened. These can be a little pricier, but you will be saving the difference in energy costs.

Trim areas like baseboards, moldings and window casings can all be areas of energy inefficiency. To stop air flow you can seal all the joints by using a flexible caulk. Caulking comes in clear or a color that will match your trim. Either way both can be painted over. The most effective way to save energy is to carefully remove the old trim and seal the area behind it using a type of expanding foam that will get in all the cracks and crevices. Your old trim can be put back on right over top.

Window seals between the glass and wood should be tight. Every year you should check the glazing and make the material is still intact with no cracked or missing sections. If there is a problem it must be repaired with a putty or glazing compound. Putty usually costs less but needs to be replaced more often. Remove the old material and apply the new with a putty knife, making sure to press it into place. If you have a window that you never open, consider sealing it with a strippable caulk that can be removed easily in case you wish to use it later.

Home owners can usually do an effective job stopping drafts to save energy if they have the time and a little patience. However, if you live in a historical building or older home you may need the help of a professional. Contractors are more experienced in locating and sealing air leaks. Every draft stopped is a step towards energy saving and several small steps can go a long distance towards efficiency and air leak control.

More Eco-Sensitive Homes

Speakers at a seminar in late March, sponsored by the Urban Land Institute, the North Texas Commercial Association of Realtors and the Real Estate Council, said a shift in attitudes toward eco-sensitive real estate is happening, according to an article published by the Dallas Morning News.

In fact, a recent report by Ernst & Young, a global network of accounting analysts with offices around the world, finds that there is almost a 4 percent occupancy increase in buildings design using environmental and energy-efficient construction practices.

According to the Dallas Morning News, Texas construction industry observers also are noting a shift in attitude toward more eco-friendly, smart building. The newspaper quoted Dallas Developer Jack Matthews saying, “We basically have to look at every single decision made about in that building. We spent 10 hours in the last month looking at the laundry alone.”

Even accounting giant Ernst & Young is jumping on the smarter building bandwagon–more than half of the 6.1 million square feet Ernst Young occupies in the U.S. has energy savings ratings, Judy Barth Bowles, a director of real estate services with Ernst & Young, told the Idaho Statesman Journal.

“We’ve looked at everything to maximize the dollars we spend,” Bowles said. “”We are very cognizant of the energy consumption. Landlords (also) are very interested, and we give them the push.”

The complete text of the Ernest & Young study, “The business case for climate change: choosing the right path” is available online here

REFERENCES

Developers find green building is ‘good business’ (Dallas Morning News)

Developers say Green Buildings have big appeal

RESOURCES
Ernst & Young

Urban Land Institute

North Texas Commercial Association of Realtors

The Real Estate Council

Austin, Dallas and Houston and all ranked high on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) list of metro regions with energy-efficient (LEED) buildings. Houston ranked highest among Texas towns at number six; Dallas came in at number eight; and Austin ranked number 18.

According to the EPA report, changes in approaches to construction resulted consumers saving close to $1.6 billion in overall annual utility costs, according to the report, which also mentions that greenhouse gases that would have equaled the emissions of more than one million homes a year also have decreased as a result of smarter, energy efficient home building.

Austin, which arguably is considered to be the state’s “greenest city,” made the EPA’s list with a total of 55 Energy Star buildings, but fell below Dallas and Houston, ranking No. 18. By comparison, Los Angeles, the city that ranked number one (amazing, really, if you think about the typical smog problems in Southern California) with 293 Energy Star buildings equaling 76 million square feet of space.

Meanwhile, Houston had 133 Energy Star-rated buildings, with Dallas’ count reaching 113, according to the EPA press release.

Additionally, the District of Columbia picks up second; Denver and Chicago move into the top five; and Lakeland and New York City are new to the top 10, according to an EPA press release.

“These cities see the importance of taking action on climate change,” EPA Office Assistant Administrator of Air and Radiation Gina McCarthy said in a prepared statement. “Communities from Los Angeles to Louisville are reducing greenhouse gases and cutting energy bills with buildings that have earned EPA’s Energy Star.”

A Dallas Business Journal reported that, “Nearly 9,000 buildings in the United States had earned the rating by the end of 2009 — a 40 percent increase from the previous year’s total. The EPA reports that overall annual utility savings are nearly $1.6 billion and greenhouse gas emissions equal to the emissions of more than 1 million homes a year have been prevented.”

The complete list of the top 25 cities in the U.S. is available online here

REFERENCES

Dallas Ranks 8th on Green Building List (Dallas Business Journal)

EPA Press Release on the Top 25 U.S. Cities with the Most Energy Efficient Buildings

RESOURCES

Environmental Protection Agency

Energy Star

U.S. Green Building Council

The prospects look good for the Cash for Caulkers program. On April 14, legislation to create the program was officially introduced in the House of Representatives by a bipartisan group of legislators. The program could save consumers both money and energy by offering rebates when they make certain energy-saving investments in their homes.

A draft of the legislation had earlier won a vote with bipartisan support in the House Energy and Environment Subcommittee.

President Barak Obama called that committee vote “an important step forward in our effort to create jobs, save consumers money and increase energy efficiency.

“In my State of the Union Address and in the months since, I have called on Congress to pass a program of incentives to homeowners who make their homes more energy efficient.”

The program, which is officially called the HomeStar Energy Retrofit Act, would provide those incentives, the president said in a press release. HomeStar would provide “consumers with up-front rebates on investments in things like insulation, heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems and windows that have been proven to save energy.

“This proposal is not a Democratic or Republican idea: it’s a common sense strategy to help put Americans back to work while giving American consumers a break.”

A companion bill is also being considered Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

Cash for Caulkers would be a two-year program designed to spur home energy retrofits by providing direct incentives to homeowners to install American-made energy-saving products and conduct whole-home retrofits.

The program resembles the “Cash for Clunkers” program, which offered rebates to consumers who bought more energy-efficient vehicles.

You can get a head start on making your home more energy efficient by filling out the form on the right to sign up for a free energy analysis from SmarterHomeEnergy.com or calling us at 866-284-8604.

The personalized analysis will point out which home improvements are suggested to save you energy and money.