Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Reduce Your Carbon Footprint—Use Electricity Wisely

Door or Hatch
Weather-strip or insulate your attic door or hatch to prevent air from escaping from the top of your house.
Insulation
Check current insulation levels, and properly insulate a new or existing home. Insulate ceilings, walls, and floors over unconditioned crawl spaces.
Vents
Attics must be ventilated to relieve heat buildup caused by the sun. If necessary, improve attic airflow by adding or enlarging vents.

Heating Unit
As much as half of your household energy use goes to heating and cooling. Replacing older equipment with more efficient equipment will help reduce your carbon footprint and your energy costs.

Tune up your heating system in the fall to make sure that it will operate at maximum efficiency during the cold winter.
Air Conditioning Unit
Check and clean or replace air filters every month. Clean the outside condenser coil once a year.

Schedule periodic maintenance of cooling equipment by a licensed service representative. A "tune up" in the spring will help the air conditioner run at maximum efficiency during the hot weather.
Water Heater
Decrease your carbon footprint and reduce your water heating bill by 10 percent by lowering the water heater temperature from 140°F to 120F°. (Keep the temperature at 140°F if you use an older dishwasher without a temperature booster.)

Once a year, drain a bucket of water from the bottom of the water heater tank. This gets rid of sediment, which can waste energy by "blocking" the water in the tank from the heating element.

Locate water heaters as close to the points of hot water usage as possible. The longer the supply pipe, the more heat thatis lost.

Insulate your hot water supply pipes to reduce heat loss. (Hardware stores sell pipe insulation kits.)

For older water heaters, consider buying a water heater insulation kit, which reduces the amount of heat lost through the walls of the tank.

Sink
To conserve water, use sink stoppers instead of letting water run while shaving.
Vanity Lights
Bathroom vanity lights are one of the most used fixtures in the average home. Use energy-efficient lighting, which can provide bright, warm light while using less energy and generating less heat than standard bulbs.
Shower
Taking an 8-minute shower every day can indirectly create as much as 1,368 pounds of CO₂ each year. By reducing your shower time to 6 minutes, you can eliminate 342 pounds of CO₂ from your annual total.

Install a new low-flow shower head to help you conserve water and save energy—and save more than $75 each year on energy costs.
Toilet
A leaky toilet can waste 200 gallons of water per day. Be sure to repair all toilet and faucet leaks promptly.
Vent Fan
An ENERGY STAR® qualified ventilation fan will control moisture in the air while saving energy. These fans are much quieter than standard models. Fans with efficient lighting and fan motors use 65 percent less energy on average than standard models, saving $120 in electricity costs over the life of the fan.

Humidifier
In the winter, the air is normally dry inside your house, which is a disadvantage because people typically require a higher temperature to be comfortable than they would in a humid environment. Therefore, efficient humidifiers are a good investment for energy conservation.
Lighting
Provide task lighting over desks, tool benches, etc., so that activities can be carried on without illuminating entire rooms. Replace incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient lighting.
Outlets
Unplug any battery chargers or power adapters when electronics are fully charged or disconnected from the charger.
Cordless Phone
ENERGY STAR® qualified cordless phones that feature switch-mode power supplies and "smart" chargers will reduce your carbon footprint and add to your energy savings.

Light Switch
Remember to always turn off the lights when leaving a room. Turning off just one 60-watt incandescent bulb that would otherwise be on for eight hours a day can save about $15 per year.
Thermostat
Install a programmable thermostat to automatically adjust your home's temperature when you're away or sleeping.
Heating
Locate the heating thermostat on an inside wall and away from windows and doors. Cold drafts will cause the thermostat to keep the system running even when the rest of the house is warm enough. Set the thermostat as low as comfort permits. Each degree over 68° F can add 2-3 percent to the amount of energy needed for heating.
Air conditioner
Set your thermostat to 78° F, or as high as comfort permits. When the weather is mild, turn off the AC and open the windows.
Vents
Close heating vents and radiator valves in unused rooms. Make sure that drapes, plants, or furniture do not block registers for supply or return air.

Front Door
Install storm doors at all entrances of the house.

Weather-strip and caulk around all entrance doors and windows to limit air leaks that could account for 15-30 percent of heating and cooling energy requirements.
Garage
Keep the overhead door of an attached garage closed to block cold winds from infiltrating the connecting door between the house and garage.
Outdoor Lights
Install photoelectric controls or timers to make sure that outdoor lighting is turned off during the day. If using energy-efficient light bulbs, make sure that they are compatible with the controls.
Porch Light
Install energy-efficient lighting in the front porch light—one of the most-used lighting fixtures in a home. If your porch light is connected to a timer or photocell, make sure the new light bulbs are compatible with the controls.
Car
A vehicle emits 12,100 pounds of CO₂per year on average. You can reduce your carbon footprint by combining trips and using mass transit, walking or biking when possible. Also keep your car well-maintained to maximize its fuel efficiency, safety, and reliability.

To have a big impact, consider purchasing a hybrid car. A 4-cylinder hybrid with automatic transmission and 2-wheel drive emits nearly 40 percent less CO₂ per mile than a sports utility vehicle with automatic transmission, an 8-cylinder gasoline engine, and 2-wheel drive.

Vehicles in the United States average 231 miles per week. There are many ways to reduce your weekly mileage and shrink your carbon footprint. Try carpooling, using public transportation, and combining errands.

Keep your vehicle in good condition to maximize its efficiency. Schedule regular tune-ups, change the oil and filter every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, and make sure the tires are properly inflated.
Windows
Double-glazed windows (two panes of glass separated by a sealed air space) cut heat transfer by 40-50 percent. In extremely cold regions, triple glazing could be economically justified.

Single-glazed windows should have storm windows. A wood or metal frame storm window provides a second thickness of glass and a layer of still air that reduces heat transmission markedly.

Dishwasher
Appliances account for as much as 20 percent of your energy bill. Newer, more efficient models save energy and water. If replacing your dishwasher, an ENERGY STAR® model can reduce your carbon footprint and save more than $25 a year in energy costs.
Sink
To conserve water, repair any leaky faucets promptly. Hot water leaking at a rate of one drip per second can waste up to 1,661 gallons of water in one year—and wastes up to $35 in electricity or natural gas.
Refrigerator/Freezer
If your current refrigerator was made before 1993, it uses twice as much energy as an ENERGY STAR® model. A 1992 top-freezer model with 19-21 cubic feet indirectly emits as much as 754 pounds of CO₂per year. A 2002 side-by-side model with 19-21 cubic feet indirectly emits as much as 442 pounds of CO₂per year.

Replacing an older model with a new ENERGY STAR® model can eliminate hundreds of pounds of CO₂each year and save $45-$65 per year on your electric bills.

Other tips:
Keep your refrigerator at 37°- 40° F and your freezer at 5° F.

Vacuum the condenser coils (underneath or behind the unit) every three months.

Check the condition of door gaskets by placing a dollar bill against the frame and closing the door. If the bill can be pulled out with a very gentle tug, the door should be adjusted or the gasket replaced.

Do not put uncovered liquids in the refrigerator. The liquids give off vapors that add to the compressor workload.
Microwave
Use your microwave oven whenever possible. It draws less than half the power of its conventional oven counterpart and cooks for a much shorter amount of time.
Range/Oven
Only use pots and pans with flat bottoms on the stove. Use the right-sized pot on stove burners. A six-inch pot on an eight-inch burner wastes more than 40 percent of the burner's heat.

Develop the habit of "lids-on" cooking to permit lower temperature settings. Keep reflector pans beneath stovetop heating elements bright and clean.

Begin cooking on highest heat until liquid begins to boil. Then lower the heat control settings and allow food to simmer until fully cooked.

Cook as much of the meal in the oven at one time as possible. Variations of 25°F still produce good results and save energy.

Rearrange oven shelves before turning your oven on-and don't peek at food in the oven! Every time you open the oven door, 25° to 50°F is lost.
Trash
Recycle your newspapers, plastic and glass containers, and paper products. By cutting the amount of waste you produce in half, and doubling the amount of recycling in your household, you can save about 1,200 pounds of CO₂per year.

Clothes Dryer
Using your dryer 10 times a week indirectly creates more than 800 pounds of CO₂. Use the moisture sensor option so that the dryer turns off automatically when clothes are dry. This can help you reduce indirect dryer CO₂ emissions by 15 percent. Or, dry your clothes on a clothesline outside.
Clothes Washer
Follow detergent instructions carefully. Adding too much detergent actually hampers effective washing action and may require more energy in the form of extra rinses.

Wash only full loads of laundry. Wash clothes in cold water. Sort laundry and schedule washes so that a complete job can be done with a few cycles of the machine carrying its full capacity, rather than a greater number of cycles with light loads.

If you're looking to buy a new washing machine, consider using a front-loading or horizontal axis machine. These new units use 30 percent less water and 50 percent less energy to make hot water and wash clothes than regular washing machines.

Ceiling Fan
In the winter: If your ceiling fan has a switch that allows you to reverse the motor, you can operate the fan at a low speed in the opposite direction. This produces a gentle updraft, forcing warm air near the ceiling down into the living space.

In the summer: Run the blades counter-clockwise (downward) to cool more efficiently. Turning up the thermostat by just two degrees and using your ceiling fan can lower AC costs by up to 4-6 percent over the course of the cooling season. Don't forget to turn the ceiling fan off when you leave the room.
Fireplace
Make sure your fireplace has tightly fitting dampers that can be closed when the fireplace is not in use. Seal hidden air leaks in your chimney. If you have a gas fireplace, turn off the pilot light when not in use.
Lamps
Put lamps in corners of rooms where they can reflect light from two wall surfaces instead of one. Use compact fluorescent bulbs in fixtures that are on for more than two hours a day. Compact fluorescent bulbs use up to 75 percent less electricity. They also last about 10 times longer.
Entertainment Center
The average home uses 25 electronic products, accounting for up to 15 percent of household electricity use. TVs, DVD players, video games, and cable boxes can create more than 1,600 pounds of CO₂each year. Turning these products off when they're not being used can save 240 pounds of CO_2.

Better still, switching to electronic equipment with the ENERGY STAR® label will help save additional energy even when the device is turned off.
Windows
In warm weather, close your blinds and curtains during the hottest part of the day. During cold weather, keep curtains open during the daylight hours to take advantage of the sun's warmth.

Computer and Monitor
Computers indirectly create nearly 500 pounds of CO₂ per year. Turning them off when not in use will save 43 pounds.

Do not use a screen saver when your computer monitor is active. Instead, let it switch to sleep mode or turn the monitor off.
Printer, Fax, Copier
Save energy and space with a multi-function device that combines several capabilities-such as print, fax, copy, and scan. Enable power management features for additional savings. Turn off machines when not in use.

Set office equipment to automatically switch to sleep mode. This will help equipment to save energy, to run cooler, and to last longer.

When purchasing new home office products, look for the ENERGY STAR® label to save energy.
Power Strip
Use a power strip as a central "turn off" point when you are finished using equipment. This will help eliminate the standby power consumption used by office equipment even when it is turned off.

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

The Importance of Measuring Building Energy Use

When the monthly utility bill comes, the CFO simply sees is another bill to be paid. Energy is just another operating expense...or is it?
An increasing number of international companies are measuring performance on a triple bottom line of organizational success, environmental success and economic success, and finding that adding social and environmental actions to daily practices can deliver a significant return on investment.

When it comes to understanding the true impact of energy and the environment, only limited data is available to CFOs. They still need that data translated into information to make informed decisions about their business.

CFOs who are determined to truly understand and reduce environmental costs of their business can take a huge step in that direction by understanding the entire environmental impact of their facility. In addition to energy usage and costs, environmental accounting looks at the total cost of production, distribution, use and waste of a product. This process, known as Lifecycle Assessment, charts the entire lifecycle of a company's operations: from raw materials to suppliers to manufacturing, distribution, use, and disposal. To fully complete the assessments, the processes and environmental impact involved in the company's day-to-day operations are charted within five environmental categories:

Energy
Water
Air
Waste
Compliance

Within each of these categories, the CFO can ask a few simple questions that will give an accurate picture of the environmental impact of their business. Table 1 lists common questions for each environmental category.

Developing the metrics to track processes and bring that information to the CFO level is crucial. In fact, many enterprise level resource planning software packages include a new environmental resource planning software add-on that financial executives can use to track pertinent environmental health and safety information.

Energy

By far, the environmental impact or "eco metric" most easily measured, monitored and reduced is energy. The U.S. Green Buildings Council estimates that commercial office buildings use 20 percent more energy on average than necessary.

As energy bills continue to rise and become a larger part of the business operating budget, financial executives are driven to act and reduce cost. One CFO found that energy costs had increased from 12% of annual facility expenses to 17% in one year! This resulted in a 40% year to year increase. The question then arises, how does a CFO obtain the information needed to understand the cost of energy and how to reduce it.

While total cost of energy use can be extremely valuable to C-level executives, the capability to evaluate and utilize the information may not exist. The data may be available, but is not presented in a way that enables CFOs to make improvements that can deliver an acceptable return on investment. Partnering with a professional energy firm can prove to be a major benefit to CFOs.

By partnering with an energy specialist, the CFO can get actionable information to reduce operating expenses. Energy projects will have the added benefits of improving the facilities and reducing operating expenses while positively affecting the social bottom line and the impact on the environment. Armed with more information about the company's costs and risk, C-level executives can make decisions with tangible and intangible benefits. Table 2 outlines many of the benefits of energy related facility improvements.

The Cost of Energy

The United States is facing a dilemma. Energy prices are escalating, dependency is increasing and energy sources are becoming scarcer. Although current energy prices are reasonable, Americans have seen this trend at the gas pump in the past three years. The same phenomenon is occurring with electricity, natural gas, propane, steam and all other facility energy sources.

When considering the energy balance of a building, one must consider the energy put into the building: what is lost and what is used. Typically, equipment efficiency can be improved to limit the use or consumption of energy. The facility itself can be improved and controls utilized to limit the loss of energy and conserve electricity. Reducing use of energy as well as its loss can significantly impact the cost of energy required to run a facility.

To a CFO, any reduction in operating expenses can be added to the budget to fund strategic initiatives and create growth for the company. To any other C-level executive, these budget dollars can be used to improve business performance - and that is the bottom line.

To wrap up, one story serves as a good example of the potential benefits of managing a building's energy balace. In the extremely competitive environment of luxury resorts, the Westin Macau in China must create a superior guest experience while aggressively monitoring gross operating profit (GOP). The key metric for this upscale hotel is occupancy and the facility's chief engineer closely monitors the energy use of unoccupied areas.

Even with the impact of dramatic weather fluctuations and the resort's focus on a very high level of guest comfort, the TAC Solution has delivered between the equivalent of US $200,000 and US $250,000 in energy savings annually since its installation in 1995. Monitoring, control and management of the Westin Macau's energy use and loss have added to the resort's GOP in dollar amounts the Westin's CFO can see. The measures have also increased the ease of operating the resort for the staff, which in turn has led to a decrease in the number of guest complaints and an increase in guest comfort.

Saving Energy 105 Ways to Save

Saving Energy 104 Ways to Save

It may not seem like using a compact fluorescent light bulb or fixing a leaky faucet will do much to reduce your energy costs - or protect the environment.

But if every household practiced just a few simple conservation ideas like the 104 easy ways to save below, we could reduce energy consumption by a significant amount.

All it takes is a few minutes each month, and you'll notice a difference - and make a difference!

1. Do a home energy audit. This survey analyzes your home's structure, appliances and insulation, as well as your family's lifestyle.

Heating your home

2. Change or clean your furnace filter once a month. Dust and dirt can quickly clog vital parts, making your furnace run harder and eventually break down.

3. Have your heating system inspected regularly - especially if it's natural gas. A $50-100 annual tune-up can help reduce your heating costs by up to five percent.

4. If you have a forced-air furnace, do NOT close heat registers in unused rooms. Your furnace is designed to heat a specific square footage of space and can't sense a register is closed - it will continue working at the same pace. In addition, the cold air from unheated rooms can escape into the rest of the house, reducing the effectiveness of all your insulating and weatherizing.

5. Install a programmable thermostat. If you use it to set back the temperature by 10 degrees for eight hours every night, you'll lower your heating bills by 10 percent. A $50 digital thermostat can pay for itself in energy savings in less than a year.

6. Don't set the thermostat higher than you actually want it. It won't heat your home any faster, and it will keep your furnace running longer than necessary. (add a humidifier when possible)

7. Vacuum registers and vents regularly, and don't let furniture and draperies block the air flow. Inexpensive plastic deflectors can direct air under tables and chairs.

8. If your home has a boiler system, avoid covering radiators with screens or blocking them with furniture. It's also a good idea to add a reflecting panel behind radiators - you can purchase one at a home center or make one yourself with a plywood panel and aluminum foil.

9. If your home has electric baseboard heating, be sure to keep furniture and draperies away from the heaters, and leave at least a three-inch clearance under the heating unit.

10. Keep curtains and blinds closed at night to keep cold air out, but open them during the day to let the sun warm the room.

11. Avoid using space heaters, including electric, kerosene or propane models. Not only are they expensive to operate, they're also very dangerous.

12. If you have hardwood or tile floors, add area rugs to keep your feet warm.

13. If you'll be going on vacation, lower the thermostat to 55 degrees. This will save energy while preventing water pipes from freezing.

Fireplaces

14. If you have a wood-burning fireplace, have the chimney cleaned and inspected regularly, and burn only fully dried hardwoods to produce the most heat output.

15. Check the seal on the damper by closing it off and holding a piece of tissue paper inside the firebox. If drafts blow the tissue around, repair or replace the damper.

16. When using the fireplace, turn down the furnace to 55 degrees. If you don't, all the warm air from the furnace will go right up the chimney, wasting energy and money.

17. Add fireproof caulk where the chimney meets the wall, inside and outside.

18. When the fireplace is not in use, make sure fireplace dampers are sealed tight, and keep the glass doors closed. If you never use your fireplace, plug the chimney with fiberglass insulation and seal the doors with silicone caulk.

Insulating your home

19. Check insulation levels throughout your house. Measure attic insulation with a ruler, and check behind switch plates for sidewall insulation.

20. Install more attic insulation. Upgrading from three inches to 12 inches can cut heating costs by 20 percent, and cooling costs by 10 percent.

21. Add pieces of batt insulation to the rim joists - the area along the top of the foundation where it meets the exterior walls.

22. If your basement is unheated, install blanket insulation in between exposed floor joists.

23. Choose the new "no-itch" or poly-wrapped insulation products. They're much easier to handle and safer to work with - making them worth the extra cost.

24. Install additional attic insulation at right angles to the previous layer. You don't have to use the same type of insulation - it's fine to use batts or blankets over loose-fill, or vice versa.

25. When using loose-fill, be sure to distribute the insulation evenly. Any inconsistencies can reduce the insulating value.

26. While shopping for insulation, remember that R-value measures the amount of thermal resistance. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

27. Never cover attic vents or recessed light fixtures with insulation, and allow a three-inch clearance around chimneys and flue pipes to prevent overheating and avoid the risk of fire.

28. Have a leaky roof repaired and make sure your basement is waterproofed. Wet insulation is worthless.

Air conditioning your home

29. Maintain your central air conditioner by cleaning the outside compressor with a garden hose (be sure to shut off power at the fuse or breaker first). Keep plantings at least one foot away for adequate airflow.

30. During late afternoon and early evening, turn off unnecessary lights and wait to use heat-producing appliances. It's also a good idea to shade south- and west- facing windows during the hottest part of the day.

31. Plant a tree. One well-placed shade tree can reduce your cooling costs by 25 percent. For maximum benefit, place leafy shade trees to the south and west, and evergreens to the north.

32. Use ceiling fans to help circulate air throughout the house, and make sure your attic is properly ventilated. A ceiling fan should run clockwise during the summer and counter-clockwise during the winter.

33. Set the fan on your central air conditioner to "on" rather than "auto." This will circulate air continuously, keeping the temperature more even throughout the house and aiding in dehumidification.

34. Make sure your window air conditioner is the proper size. It's better to get one that's too small than too large - a larger unit will start up and turn off more frequently and won't do as good a job dehumidifying the air.

35. Don't judge the efficiency of your air conditioner by the sound of the fan shutting on and off. The blower will continue to circulate cooled air throughout your home up to 15 minutes after the compressor has stopped. (The same holds true for the furnace.)

36. Raise the thermostat to about 78 to 80 degrees whenever you go to bed or leave the house. A programmable thermostat will do this for you automatically.

37. If your home can't accommodate central air conditioning, try a whole-house attic fan. This device pushes hot air out through attic vents, lowering the temperature throughout your home about five degrees in less than ten minutes. Attic fans cost less than 25 cents per day to operate. (for a large attic you may need 2 fans)

38. During the winter, remove window air conditioners and seal the windows with caulk and weather-stripping. You might also want to cover the central air compressor with a tarp to keep it clean.

Weatherizing your home

39. Seal doors and windows with caulk, weather-stripping and plastic film. An investment of $50 in weatherizing supplies can reduce heating costs by two to three times that much. Don't forget the basement windows!

40. Add foam gaskets behind all outlet covers and switch plates, and use safety plugs in all unused outlets. These are prime places for outside air to leak into your home. Be sure to shut off power at the fuse box or circuit panel first.

41. Check the exterior of your home for air leaks, especially around openings for water spigots, air conditioner hoses, dryer vents and gas pipes. Use caulk or expanding foam to seal spaces.

42. If your home has a large, single-pane picture window, use heavy draperies during the winter to help hold back cold air.

43. Reflective window film can help reduce heat gain during the summer, and it will keep furniture and carpets from fading.

44. Check window panes to see if they need new glazing. If the glass is loose, replace the putty holding the pane in place. Most types of window glazing require painting for a proper seal.

45. If drafts sneak in under exterior doors, replace the threshold. If that's not practical, block the drafts with a rolled-up towel or blanket.

46. Seal the edges of unused doors and windows with rope caulk. Don't seal them shut permanently - you might need quick ventilation or escape during an emergency.

47. Choose the right kind of caulk for the job. Use latex or acrylic caulk inside - it's easy to clean and more forgiving if you're a beginner. Silicone caulk is great for outside use because it lasts longer and seals virtually any type of surface.

48. Don't forget to weatherize the attic access. Secure batt insulation to the back of the hatch or door, and use weather-stripping to seal the opening.

Water Heating

49. Set the water heater temperature at 120 degrees - about halfway between low and medium. This will help save energy and prevent scalding, while keeping unhealthy bacteria from growing.

50. Install a water-saving showerhead. Don't worry - it won't reduce your water pressure. A family of four, each taking a five-minute shower a day, can save $250 a year in water heating costs by switching to a low-flow showerhead.

51. Fix leaky faucets, especially if it's a hot water faucet. One drop per second can add up to 165 gallons a month - that's more than one person uses in two weeks.

52. Use aerators on kitchen and bathroom sink faucets. If you have hard water, clean aerators and showerheads with vinegar regularly to reduce deposits and build-up.

53. Take showers, not baths. A five-minute shower will use about 7.5 gallons of hot water, while filling a bathtub can use up to 20 gallons.

54. If your water heater is more than 15 years old, install an insulating wrap to reduce "standby" heat loss. It's also a good idea to insulate hot water pipes where they're accessible.

In the kitchen

55. Use smaller kitchen appliances whenever possible. Microwaves, toaster ovens and slow-cookers can use 75 percent less energy than a large electric oven.

56. Vacuum the refrigerator coils about twice a year to keep the compressor running efficiently.

57. As your mother always told you, don't leave the refrigerator door open. Every time it's opened, up to 30 percent of the cooled air can escape. The same rule holds for the oven, too.

58. Keep the refrigerator temperature about 36-38 degrees, and the freezer at 0-5 degrees.

59. Don't overload the refrigerator or freezer. The cold air needs to circulate freely to keep foods at the proper temperature.

60. Make sure the refrigerator is level, so the door automatically swings shut instead of open. If the floor isn't level, use shims to prop up the front of the refrigerator.

61. Don't worry about placing hot leftovers in the refrigerator. It won't affect energy use significantly, and cooling food to room temperature first can increase the chance of food-borne illnesses.

62. Check the seal on your refrigerator door by closing it on a dollar bill. If you can pull the bill out easily, it's time to replace the gaskets. You can purchase a replacement kit from an appliance dealer or a home center.

63. Use your oven's self-cleaning feature immediately after cooking, while the oven is still hot. This will reduce a lengthy warm-up time.

64. Use lids on pots and pans to reduce cooking times, and don't put a small pan on a large burner.

65. Keep the grease plates under range burners clean to reflect heat more efficiently.

66. Run the dishwasher only with full loads, and use the air-dry cycle. If your dishwasher has a "booster" water heater, use it; this will heat the water to the 140 degrees recommended by manufacturers, while maintaining an energy-saving 120 degrees on your primary water heater.

In the laundry room

67. Wash only full loads of clothes, and be sure to set the water level appropriately.

68. Use hot water only for very dirty loads, and always use cold water for the rinse cycle.

69. Clean the lint screen on the dryer every time you use the machine. A clogged lint screen can make your dryer use up to 30 percent more energy - and it can be a fire hazard.

70. Remove clothes from the dryer while they're still damp and hang them up. This will save energy, prevent static and reduce wrinkles and shrinkage.

71. Dry one load of clothes immediately after another. This will minimize heat loss, reducing warm-up and drying times.

Lighting your home

72. Switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs or LED’s. These bulbs use 75 percent less energy than typical incandescent and they last 10 times longer.

73. Look for a compact fluorescent wattage that's about one-third of the incandescent wattage you usually use.

74. Use lighting control devices like dimmers, motion detectors, occupancy sensors, photocells and timers to provide light only when you need it. (Outdoor use solar lighting where possible)

75. Keep lamps away from thermostats; the heat produced can cause your furnace to run less than needed or your air conditioner more than needed.

76. Dust light fixtures regularly. A heavy coat of dust can block up to 50 percent of the light output.

77. Use only a single bulb in a multi-socket fixture. Be sure to check the maximum wattage the fixture allows.

78. Replace an incandescent outdoor light or high-intensity floodlight with a high-pressure sodium fixture. The bulbs will last longer, use less energy, and handle temperature extremes better.

79. Use low-voltage lighting kits to light walkways, patios and decks. The soft light will also attract fewer annoying insects.

80. Decorate with pale colors on walls, ceilings and floors. Soft tones reflect more light, so you can use lower wattage bulbs and delay turning on lights until later in the day. Using high-gloss paint can help as well.

81. Read light bulb packages carefully. Watts measure the amount of energy needed; lumens measure how much light a bulb produces. Energy-saving bulbs produce more lumens per watt of electricity used.

Other energy savers

82. Get rid of spare refrigerators or freezers. An extra appliance can add more than $100 to your energy bills every year, and it's a safety hazard for small children.

83. Keep outdoor hot tubs covered when not in use. If you have a pool, use a solar cover to use the natural warmth of the sun to heat the water.

84. Keep waterbeds covered with quilts or blankets to help retain their heat. You might also want to insulate the bottom with a sheet of rigid foam insulation.

85. Keep the garage door closed, especially during the winter.

86. If you need a new lawn mower, consider an electric model. They're less expensive to operate (about three cents of electricity per use), 75 percent quieter, and they significantly reduce toxic emissions.

87. Instead of air-polluting and expensive charcoal or propane, try an electric or natural gas grill. They're more economical and more convenient - you'll never run out of fuel.

88. Unplug any electrical device that's not being used. Many appliances, especially computers, televisions and VCRs draw power even when turned off.

89. Place humidifiers and dehumidifiers away from walls and bulky furniture. These appliances work best when air circulates freely around them. Be sure to clean the unit often to prevent unhealthy mold and bacteria from developing.

90. If your home has no sidewall insulation, place heavy furniture like bookshelves, armoires and sofas along exterior walls, and use decorative quilts as wall hangings. This will help block cold air.

91. When you take a vacation, don't forget to give your appliances a rest too. Turn off and unplug everything you can, set your water heater to the lowest setting (unless you have a tankless water heater) and shut off the water supply to the dishwasher and washing machine.

Buying new appliances

92. Remember that it pays to invest in energy efficiency. In some cases, the money you save in energy costs can pay back the purchase price in just a few years.

93. Always read the Energy Guide label carefully, and make sure you're comparing "apples to apples." Energy use can range significantly even within a single brand.

94. Choose the capacity that's right for your family. Whether it's a furnace or a refrigerator, it doesn't pay to purchase a unit that's too large or too small.

95. In almost every case, a natural gas appliance is more economical to use than an electric model. The $50-75 price difference can be paid back in energy savings in less than a year.

96. Replace inefficient appliances - even if they're still working. An aging water heater or refrigerator could be costing you much more than you think. If your central air conditioner is more than 10 years old, replacing it with a high-efficiency new unit will cut your summer electric bills by about one-third.

97. Shop during the off-season. Many heating and cooling manufacturers offer significant rebates during seasonal sales promotions, and dealers may charge less for installation.

98. Investigate new technology carefully. Some innovations, like convection ovens or argon-filled windows, may save energy and make life more convenient; others, such as commercial-grade kitchen appliances, might be merely expensive cosmetic enhancements.

99. Look for the "Energy Star" logo. This designation from the Environmental Protection Agency means that the appliance exceeds minimum federal energy- use standards, usually by a significant amount.

100. Don't forget to ask about warranties, service contracts, and delivery and installation costs.

101. Be sure to choose a reputable and knowledgeable dealer. A good dealer should be able to help you calculate energy savings and the payback period, and he or she should offer you a range of brands and prices.

102. Install a humidifier for winter and a de-humidifier for summer.

103. Install a whole house fan to bring in fresh air and reduce indoor pollution.

104. Install outdoor window shades on Southern and Western exposure to reduce the heat of the sun during the summer

105 Install rain sensor for sprinkler system.

ENERGY SAVERS opens the world to UTILITY SAVINGS

ENVIROMENTAL REGULATIONS, INCREASED WORLWIDE DEMAN DAND CLIMATE CHANGE ARE HAVING A DRAMATIC IMPACT ON THE PRICE OF ENERGY.

HOW WILL THIS AFFECT YOUR UTILITY COSTS?

We can help.

Energy Savers is the world’s leading utility cost management consulting firm. We specialize in providing audit, (Production tax refund), rate optimization, procurement, conservation, energy efficiency implementation, retrofit, demand management, renewable energy, on-line utility data management services and market pricing research to reduce and better manage electricity, gas, water/wastewater, petroleum and telecommunications expenses.

Today, over 20,000 utility intensive organizations located in North America, Europe, Africa and Asia rely on Energy Savers Consulting to recover overcharges, develop and implement cost reduction, energy efficiency and procurement strategies, monitor supplier compliance and provide on-line utility data management support systems.

Our professional staff, experience, market intelligence, international coverage, and local presence provide our clients a critical competitive cost advantage. Every member of Energy Savers Consulting is dedicated to providing the firm’s clients unparalleled cost reduction solutions, service and support. Our goal is to improve the utility purchasing processes of our clients and increase their profitability and bottom line.

Services: Recovery Audit

WE OFFER A SERVICE TO AUDIT BILLS TO ENSURE YOU ARE NOT BEING OVERCHARGED FOR YOUR UTILITY SERVICES

Each year utility suppliers submit countless invoices, worth hundreds of millions, to their customers containing errors. Most consumers are surprised to learn that the burden of identifying and correcting these mistakes is their responsibility.

Who verifies your utility invoices to ensure they are correct? If your organization is not currently validating utility invoices, does it possess the resources and expertise to take on this added responsibility?

We understand that in most organizations utility bills are processed by accounts payable departments without any real review. For accounts payable departments, the primary concern is paying the bill on time to avoid late charges and service interruptions. It is for this reason we offer a service to audit client’s utility bills to ensure that they are not being overcharged for their utility services. Our comprehensive audit services check for erroneous meter readings, incorrect applications of rates and pricing arrangements, usage anomalies, duplicate billings, and other administrative errors. Our audit services can be accomplished on a pre-payment or post-payment basis.

Services: Rate Optimization

Does your organization have the resources and expertise to analyze the available rate alternatives and optimize expenses?

Utility suppliers offer a multitude of rate schedules that may be applied to a particular consumer’s account. These rate schedules are constantly changing – i.e., new rates are added and existing ones are modified or eliminated.

The application of each specific rate schedule to a particular consumer’s usage profile results in a different cost. Most consumers are surprised to learn that utility suppliers are not required to apply the most cost effective alternative to their account. The responsibility to analyze, identify and request the most cost effective rate falls on the consumer.

Who chose the current rate schedule for your service? Have your usage profile or operating characteristics changed since your last rate review? Does your organization have the resources and expertise to analyze all of the available rate alternatives and optimize your expenses?

Rate analysis and optimization requires access to a utility supplier’s rates, a detailed understanding of rate design as well as one’s overall usage profile, and systems to compare multiple scenarios. Based upon our experience, very few businesses want to maintain the internal expertise or resources to perform this task.

It is for this reason that we offer a rate analysis and optimization service to our clients. The objective of this service is to identify and implement the most cost effective rate alternative available, thereby reducing the client’s annual energy and/or telecommunications expenditures. This is not a one-time service. Once we have optimized a client’s current purchasing arrangements, we monitor changes in the available rate schedules and the client’s usage profile to ensure that the client continues to purchase their utility services under the most cost effective rate option.

Services: Procurement

AROUND THE WORLD, ENERGY SAVERS MANAGES THE PROCUREMENT PROCESSES FOR THOUSANDS OF LARGE AND SMALL BUSINESSES.

The process of buying energy and telecommunications services in a liberalized or deregulated market is both time consuming and complex. Although suppliers and brokers are more than pleased to offer their "standard" prices upon request (or via an on-line buying service), sophisticated consumers understand that thorough preparation, first-rate market intelligence, timing and negotiation are critical to securing the best prices.

We understand that there are many organizations that do not wish to devote the time and resources necessary to develop and manage the procurement process but still want to secure the best prices available in the marketplace. For this reason we offer a service to outsource a client’s energy and/or telecommunications procurement process.

Around the world ENERGY SAVERS Consulting manages the procurement process for thousands of clients. Our experience, reputation, market intelligence, and industry relationships provide our clients a real advantage.

By outsourcing the procurement process, we take on the burden of constructing detailed usage profiles of each of your locations; drafting a comprehensive pricing request; submitting the pricing request to selected reputable suppliers; performing a comparative analysis of responses and ranking them on a "like-for-like" basis; and undertaking any required negotiations with the most competitive suppliers. At the conclusion of this process, our clients receive a detailed procurement process report with our recommendations and a supply contract for final approval/signature.

Services: Conservation

THE RECENT AND ON-GOING INCREASES IN ENERGY PRICES MAKE CONSERVATION PROJECTS MORE ATTRACTIVE.

In today’s dynamic energy markets, erratic and volatile pricing are a fact of life which significantly impact you’re operating costs and profitability. Today’s fuel prices are at record levels not envisioned by architects and engineers that designed buildings 10 or more years ago.

Unfortunately, we believe that fuel prices, at least in the foreseeable future, will continue to increase therefore making it imperative that businesses find additional methods to reduce their energy expenses.

As a direct result of these circumstances, ENERGY SAVERS Consulting has developed an energy audit program to complement its core services - i.e., cost control, audit, rate optimization, procurement, on-line data management and market research.

As part of our energy audit program, ENERGY SAVERS Consulting will undertake the following tasks:

Obtain basic building information - determine audit goals, review planned and historical building modifications; prepare facility equipment list, etc.

Review facility electrical distribution system - identify primary and secondary distribution voltages, check transformer ratings and maintenance procedures, review distribution panel and branch circuits, check log books for equipment outages or load additions or reductions, etc.

Review facility HVAC systems -- identify type of heating and cooling systems, examine current maintenance procedures, examine cooling towers, circulating pumps and fans, investigate the use of VAV boxes, identify location of vent and fresh air makeup for excessive or reduced level of activity, etc.

Review implemented energy cost reduction programs -- review any past energy cost reduction programs to insure proper operation and to avoid duplication of effort.

In addition to the above, our energy audit will generally include the review and verification of a facility’s conditioned space, total square area, exterior wall area, energy usage data and trends, tenant information (if applicable), energy management systems, lighting, plug load, and heating and cooling degree days, etc.

Upon completion of our energy audit, ENERGY SAVERS Consulting will provide you with a detailed report of its findings and recommendations. We will prioritize low cost/no cost projects and then move on to other higher cost projects. During the process ENERGY SAVERS Consulting will also investigate available rebates or options that can reduce or eliminate the cost of an energy cost reduction project.

Services: On-Line Data Management

OUR WEB PORTAL PROVIDES YOU WITH YOUR UTILITY DATA AS WELL AS ANALYTICAL TOOLS FOR BENCHMARKING BUDGETING AND PROJECTIONS.

For large multi-site organizations the compilation, maintenance and analysis of utility data is an essential management process. However, constructing maintaining and making this type of utility database available within such an organization is an expensive and resource intensive project. The reality is, the larger the organization (i.e., number of individual sites) the greater the expense and resources.

However, it is these very organizations that have the greatest amount to gain from the institution of a comprehensive utility data management system. Such a system allows these organizations to institute greater controls over their various sites and site managers. Moreover, such a system provides vital analytical tools – e.g., benchmarking, budget monitoring and projection, anomaly identification, consolidation, etc.

At the request of (and in conjunction with) a number of large multi-location clients, ENERGY SAVERS Consulting has developed a comprehensive on-line utility data management system – ENERGY SAVERS direct©. We now offer this ENERGY SAVERS direct© service to all of our clients around the world.

multi-language capability;
multi-country capability – i.e., the system can manage sites located around the world;
multi-currency capability – i.e., the system reports in both local and functional currency;
comprehensive suite of analytical tools – i.e., budgeting, benchmarking, monitoring, etc.;
maintenance of utility bill images; and
24/7 secure multi-tiered password access.

As part of our service, we initialize the ENERGY SAVERS direct© system for your particular organization – i.e., set up your site, baseline/functional currency, normalize utility unit measures and input a baseline of historic utility data. Once the initialization of the system is complete, we maintain it and input your current utility billing data.

Services: Market Pricing Survey

HAVING THE RIGHT INFORMATION CAN MAKE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SUCCESS AND FAILURE.

In today’s ultra-competitive world, having the right information can mean the difference between success and failure. As an independent consulting company that is not subject to the influence of any utility supplier, ENERGY SAVERS Consulting is uniquely positioned to provide businesses, industry associations, government agencies and suppliers with accurate and unbiased market research and pricing studies.

Our experience, pricing database, market intelligence and reputation provide us with an insider's perspective into the markets and their movements. ENERGY SAVERS Consulting can provide in-depth international, regional or local market analysis and commentary, comparative pricing studies and much more.

An example of how ENERGY SAVERS Consulting’s research, pricing information and market intelligence can help your organization succeed can be seen in the construction of a new plant or facility. Typically, prior to final approval for such a project, most organizations undertake a detailed regulatory and tax impact study. Prudent businesses, however, also undertake a Utility Impact Study because a beneficial tax break can be eliminated by locating in a high utility cost area.

Services: Cost Control Program

The Energy Savers consulting cost control program is designed to identify and pursue potential refund and cost savings opportunities – reducing your utility costs and improving your profits (bottom-line)

In many organizations the management of utility costs is not a top priority. Utility invoices are typically processed by accounts payable departments without any meaningful review or verification. Most management attention is devoted to the cost of labor and materials. Considering that energy and telecommunications costs can make up as much as 25 percent of an organization's overall operating budget – utility cost reductions, even the most modest ones, can significantly improve profitability.

To relieve businesses of the burden (i.e., time, expense and distraction) of developing and maintaining the resources and expertise to internally verify validate and analyze utility expenditures, we developed the ENERGY SAVERS Cost Control Program. This program is designed to identify and pursue potential refund and cost savings opportunities – reducing your utility costs and improving your profits.

The ENERGY SAVERS Cost Control Program is both easy to implement and scalable. It can function as a total outsource solution or as a complement to existing utility cost management programs.

As part of this service, you will be assigned a specific account manager who will act as your primary contact within ENERGY SAVERS Consulting and will coordinate the following activities:

Data Collection: compile your past and current utility invoices and construct a comprehensive database of key utility data – i.e., usage, demand, price, taxes, etc.

Recovery Audit: review your utility invoices for administrative, computational and other potential errors and overcharges.

Rate Optimization: analyze your annual utility usage and demand profiles against available rate options to identify more cost effective alternatives.

Procurement: in competitive markets, prepare documentation necessary to solicit offers from suppliers, evaluate responses and negotiate contractual terms and conditions.

Reporting, Implementation & Monitoring: prepare and submit management reports with our findings and recommendations, implement refund and savings strategies, and monitoring of future invoices for new cost saving opportunities and compliance.

Services: Recovery Audit

we offer a service to audit bills to ensure you are not being overcharged for your utility services.

Services: Rate Optimization

does your organization have the resources and expertise to analyze the available rate alternative and optimize your expenses?

Services: Procurement

Around the world energy savers consulting manages the procurement processes for thousands of large and small businesses.

Services: Conservation

The recent and on-going increasees in energy prices make conservation projects more attractive.

As part of our energy audit program, ENERGY SAVERS Consulting will undertake the following tasks:

Obtain basic building information - determine audit goals, review planned and historical building modifications; prepare facility equipment list, etc.

Review implemented energy cost reduction programs -- review any past energy cost reduction programs to insure proper operation and to avoid duplication of effort.

Services: On-Line Data Management

OUR WEB PORTAL PROVIDES YOU WITH YOUR UTILITY DATA AS WELL AS ANALYTICAL TOOLS FOR BENCHMARKING BUDGETING AND PROJECTIONS.

multi-language capability;
multi-country capability – i.e., the system can manage sites located around the world;
multi-currency capability – i.e., the system reports in both local and functional currency;
comprehensive suite of analytical tools – i.e., budgeting, benchmarking, monitoring, etc.;
maintenance of utility bill images; and
24/7 secure multi-tiered password access.

Services: Market Pricing Survey

having the right information can make the difference between success and failure.

Call us if you want to increase your bottom-line profit at:

Jay Draiman

Energy Consultant

Energy Savers

9420 Reseda Blvd.

, Unit 274

Northridge, CA 91324

818-270-6319

Email: renewableenergy2@msn.com