Save Energy, Save Money and Reduce Carbon Emissions at Home
Why should I care?
Our homes are major centers of energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, which are responsible for trapping heat in our atmosphere and result in the warming effect dubbed “global warming,” According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the residential sector accounts for roughly 21% of total primary energy consumption and about 20% of carbon dioxide emissions in the United States. Studies in Fayette County show that residences were responsible for 40.2% of the electricity used in the county and generated 28.4% of all greenhouse gas emissions.
All this energy use is expensive. Even in Kentucky, where utility rates are among the lowest in the country, the average Kentucky home spends about $2,700 per year for energy utilities (electricity and natural gas). Saving energy (and saving money) reduces those payments and leaves money for other needs.
On a larger scale, human-caused increases in greenhouse gas emissions have intensified global warming, which is causing climate change, a long-term change in weather patterns that has been detected through various indicators, including sea-level rise, more frequent and severe natural disasters and increasingly severe precipitation and floods. Carbon dioxide is the main greenhouse gas addressed in these recommendations. Methane, a more potent greenhouse gas (meaning it is more effective in trapping heat), is a common byproduct of using natural gas for residential activities. Reducing energy use can reduce carbon dioxide emissions and decrease the likelihood of methane release.
You can implement many of these suggestions whether you rent or own your home and whether you live in a single or multi-family setting. If you follow the suggestions described here, you may save hundreds of dollars each year while at the same time reducing emissions of greenhouse gases and help limit climate change.
What can I do?
Adjust Your Home Routine: These changes cost little or nothing and still save energy.
Lower Water Heater Temperature
- Lower the temperature setting on your water heater a few degrees (for example, from 140℉ to 130℉) and save hundreds of dollars per year. You can do this yourself at no cost.
- See more on the U.S. Department of Energy’s website (external link)
Unplug, Turn Off, Use Power Strip to Stop Appliances/Devices
- Turn off unused appliances. Electronic devices (televisions, computers, chargers, etc.) continue to use electricity even if they are “turned off.” Unplugging them or using a power strip to shut them down completely saves energy.
- See more on the U.S. Department of Energy’s website (external link)
Cook Smarter
- Use a microwave when you can (they use only about 20% of the energy of conventional cooking).
- Use lids on pots (retains the heat better, and in summer they help stop excess water loss that would increase humidity).
- Plan your cooking. For example, unless necessary, in the summer during the hottest part of the day, don’t use the oven or run the dishwasher to avoid heating the house. Run the dishwasher at night for the same reason.
- See more on the Kentucky Power website (external link)
Do the Laundry
- Run a full load – small loads use approximately the same amount of energy even though they may use less water and detergent.
- Clean the lint trap on the dryer every time and check to make sure the vent is not blocked to that the dryer can work efficiently.
- Clean dryer duct to outside to increase air flow and dryer efficiency.
- Just as for cooking, don’t run the dryer during the hottest part of the day.
- See more on the U.S. Department of Energy’s website (external link)
Change Thermostat Settings According to the Season
- Set thermostats lower in winter (68ºF) and higher in summer (78ºF ) or install a programmable thermostat. You can get programmable thermostats for individual window air-condition units or for central heat/air conditioning.
- See more on the U.S. Department of Energy’s website (external link)
Adjust Blinds/Curtains During the Day
- Closing blinds or curtains during the day can prevent sunlight from heating the room in summer and at night can limit heat loss during the winter.
- See more on the U.S. Department of Energy’s website (external link)
Spend a Little to Save A Lot
Low cost improvements to save energy.
Seal Air Leaks
- Inspect your house and look for spaces around windows and doors and wire and pipe entries and in heating/air-conditioning ducts. A couple of tubes of caulk, some weather stripping, and duct-sealing materials may cost around $20. For this low cost and few hours’ time you can seal these common air leaks you can make your home more comfortable and save hundreds of dollars each year.
- See more about air sealing your home on the U.S. Department of Energy’s website (external link)
- See more about minimizing air losses through ductwork on the U.S. Department of Energy’s website (external link)
Replace old lightbulbs with LED lights
- New high-efficiency LED bulbs use a tiny fraction of energy of old-style incandescent and halogen bulbs and less than newer compact fluorescent bulbs. The LED bulbs cost more than other bulbs but they last many years and pay for themselves over time.
- See more on the U.S. Department of Energy’s website (external link)
Water Use and Water Heating (reduce water and sewer bills and cost of water heating).
- Fix faucet leaks and install a low-flow faucet aerators and showerhead/adapter to reduce the volume of water used in the shower. https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/water-heating/reduce-hot-water-use-energy-savings
- Consider insulating your water heater, particularly if it is warm to the touch. The U.S. Department of Energy projects that “insulating a water heater that is warm to the touch can cut standby heat losses by 25% – 45% and save you 7% – 16% annually on your water heating bill.”
- See more on the U.S. Department of Energy’s website (external link)
Regularly change or clean the filter on your heating and air-conditioning unit.
- A dirty air filter makes your heating/cooling unit work harder (using more energy) and does not clean the air as well. Change it regularly to stay healthy and save money.
- See more on the U.S. Department of Energy’s website (external link)
Use/Buy Energy Efficient Products
- An Energy Star rating assures that the product you buy (refrigerator, TV, light bulb) is among the most efficient. If you have decided to keep an old refrigerator for convenience in an unconditioned space (like a garage) the combination of old technology and the lack of temperature control in the environment can increase energy use.
- See more on the U.S. Department of Energy’s website (external link)
Additional Resources for Improving Home Energy Efficiency (all external links)
Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Environmental Commission 