How to lower the energy use of your

home

David ParkerBuilding Analyst/ Energy

AuditorParker Energy Solutions

Topics to be coveredTopics to be covered

Energy use statistics & standardsHome energy saving opportunitiesHome Energy AuditingAuditor CertificationSaving energy by conservation,

efficiency, Renewable generation

Energy use statistics & standardsHome energy saving opportunitiesHome Energy AuditingAuditor CertificationSaving energy by conservation,

efficiency, Renewable generation

Energy use statistics & standards

Energy use statistics & standards

What is energy?What is power?Units of energy & power.

What is energy?What is power?Units of energy & power.

Energy BasicsEnergy Basics

Energy is the ability to do work

There are different forms of energy:Heat (thermal) Light (radiant) Motion (kinetic) Electrical Chemical Nuclear energy Gravitational

Energy is the ability to do work

There are different forms of energy:Heat (thermal) Light (radiant) Motion (kinetic) Electrical Chemical Nuclear energy Gravitational

Energy UnitsEnergy Units

BTU stands for British Thermal Unit, which is a unit of energy consumed by or delivered to a building. A BTU is defined as the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of 1 pound of water by 1 degree Fahrenheit, at normal atmospheric pressure.

1 wooden match = 1 BTU

BTU stands for British Thermal Unit, which is a unit of energy consumed by or delivered to a building. A BTU is defined as the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of 1 pound of water by 1 degree Fahrenheit, at normal atmospheric pressure.

1 wooden match = 1 BTU

Energy conversion factorsEnergy conversion factors

1 kilowatt-hour(KWH)= 3412 BTU

1 therm of natural gas=100000 BTU1 gallon of propane= 91300 BTU1 cu. ft of natural gas= 1027 BTU1 gallon of #2 fuel oil= 138700 BTU

1 kilowatt-hour(KWH)= 3412 BTU

1 therm of natural gas=100000 BTU1 gallon of propane= 91300 BTU1 cu. ft of natural gas= 1027 BTU1 gallon of #2 fuel oil= 138700 BTU

Power definedPower defined

Power is the time rate at which work is done or energy is transferred.

Units of power:1 horsepower= 760 watts1 kilowatt= 1000 watts1 watt = 1 joule/second1 watt= 3.412 btu/hr

Power is the time rate at which work is done or energy is transferred.

Units of power:1 horsepower= 760 watts1 kilowatt= 1000 watts1 watt = 1 joule/second1 watt= 3.412 btu/hr

Power examplesPower examples

A 100000 BTU/hr propane furnace consumes a little more than 1 gallon of propane/hr.

A 100000 BTU/hr natural gas furnace consumes about 100 cubic ft of natural gas/hr.

A 100000 BTU/hr propane furnace consumes a little more than 1 gallon of propane/hr.

A 100000 BTU/hr natural gas furnace consumes about 100 cubic ft of natural gas/hr.

Total US Energy Use by sector

Total US Energy Use by sector

QuickTime™ and a decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration Annual Energy Review 2009

What are the top three things one can do to personally

reduce his/her carbon emissions?

What are the top three things one can do to personally

reduce his/her carbon emissions?1. Drive a more fuel-efficient car

2. Insulate/weatherize your home3. Eat less beef

1. Drive a more fuel-efficient car2. Insulate/weatherize your home3. Eat less beef

How much energy do we use in our homes? (What is our Energy Use

Intensity)?

How much energy do we use in our homes? (What is our Energy Use

Intensity)?

A measure of the energy efficiency of a building

Units of kbtu/ft^2/yr

A measure of the energy efficiency of a building

Units of kbtu/ft^2/yr

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Site Energy Use Intensity

Western US(2005)

My Home

Architecture 2030Challenge target(60%)

Denmark new homestandard

Germany Passivehausstandard

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Site Energy Use Intensity

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My Home

Architecture 2030Challenge target(60%)

Denmark new homestandard

Germany Passivehausstandard

Source: Energy Information Administration, Residential Energy Consumption Survey 2005

Source: DOE, 2009 Buildings Energy databook

Residential Energy End Use (2006)

Space Heating26%

Space Cooling13%

Water Heating12%

Lighting12%

Electronics9%

Refrig7%

Cooking5%

Other10%

Adjust*6%

How do we use energy in our homes?

Home energy saving opportunities

Home energy saving opportunities

1. Whole house air leakage/infiltration

2. Air duct leakage3. Insulation4. Other common opportunities

1. Whole house air leakage/infiltration

2. Air duct leakage3. Insulation4. Other common opportunities

Whole house air leakageWhole house air leakage

• Measured with a blower door

• Any leakage reduces the efficiency of your heating/cooling system

• Measured with a blower door

• Any leakage reduces the efficiency of your heating/cooling system

Diagram courtesy of D.O.E. Energysavers booklet

Whole house air leakage (2)

Whole house air leakage (2)

Source: Retrotec Door Fan Manual 2009

Air duct leakageAir duct leakage

Photo courtesy of DOE energysavers booklet

Air duct leakage(2)Air duct leakage(2)

Source: PG&E (Proper procedures for charging A/C or heat pumps)

The average forced air distribution system in California leaks about 30%

Sealing a system to 5% leakage will reduce system energy consumption by 19%

The average forced air distribution system in California leaks about 30%

Sealing a system to 5% leakage will reduce system energy consumption by 19%

InsulationInsulation

Insulation OpportunitiesInsulation Opportunities

1. Inadequate insulation in ceiling,subfloor, and walls

2. Poor installation:gaps between batts and floor/roof joists

3. Missing/not coincident with pressure/air barrier (typical troublespots are showers/tubs and bay windows.

1. Inadequate insulation in ceiling,subfloor, and walls

2. Poor installation:gaps between batts and floor/roof joists

3. Missing/not coincident with pressure/air barrier (typical troublespots are showers/tubs and bay windows.

Quality insulation installation

Quality insulation installation

Source:DOE Building America 10.D.2 Redding Prototype House Progress Report 2006

Other common opportunities

Other common opportunities

Inadequate duct insulationLow air handler airflow Furnace/AC over-sizedDucts not sized correctly for room

loads

Inadequate duct insulationLow air handler airflow Furnace/AC over-sizedDucts not sized correctly for room

loads

Home Energy AuditingHome Energy Auditing

What is an energy audit? An energy audit or assessment is a service

where the energy efficiency of a house is evaluated by a person using professional equipment (such as blower doors, duct testers, and combustion analyzers), with the aim to suggest the best ways to improve energy efficiency in heating and cooling the house. The audit also identifies any health, safety, or comfort issues.

What is an energy audit? An energy audit or assessment is a service

where the energy efficiency of a house is evaluated by a person using professional equipment (such as blower doors, duct testers, and combustion analyzers), with the aim to suggest the best ways to improve energy efficiency in heating and cooling the house. The audit also identifies any health, safety, or comfort issues.

Home Energy Auditing (2)Home Energy Auditing (2)

The product of an audit is a report that gives recommendations on specific energy efficiency improvements. The report may also “benchmark” your home or compare your home to similar homes in your region.

The product of an audit is a report that gives recommendations on specific energy efficiency improvements. The report may also “benchmark” your home or compare your home to similar homes in your region.

Home energy cost comparison

$4,347

$3,421

$0

$1,000

$2,000

$3,000

$4,000

$5,000

Your Home'senergy cost

Typical Home

Home Energy Auditing (3)Home Energy Auditing (3)Feature Recommendation Projected

Annual Savings Estimated Cost Simple

Payback (Years)

Duct Sealing Seal ducts in attic/crawlspace

$150 $300 2

Floor insulation Repair/ Replace insulation

$50 $150 3

Attic/ceiling insulation

Insulate all areas missing insulation

$100 $200 2

Propane furnace-attic

Replace due to age

$250 $2500 10

Indoor Air Quality

Install exhaust fans and ducts for all three bathrooms

--- $700 ---

Totals $355 * $3850

*Total annual savings do not add directly since each savings estimate

assumes that all other features remain the same.

Auditor CertificationAuditor Certification

RESNET HERS raters certificationBPI Building Analyst certificationHERS Raters are trained to do both home

energy audits and home energy ratings. BPI Building Analysts have more training (and required tests) with combustion appliances and measurements of the combustion appliance zone.

RESNET HERS raters certificationBPI Building Analyst certificationHERS Raters are trained to do both home

energy audits and home energy ratings. BPI Building Analysts have more training (and required tests) with combustion appliances and measurements of the combustion appliance zone.

Saving energy by conservation, efficiency,

Renewable generation

Saving energy by conservation, efficiency,

Renewable generationThe cheapest kwH is the one you don’t

use.Real time energy monitoring can help

people conserve energy use.Energy efficiency improvements are the

next priorityOn site renewable energy generation

should be examined after the above methods are explored.

The cheapest kwH is the one you don’t use.

Real time energy monitoring can help people conserve energy use.

Energy efficiency improvements are the next priority

On site renewable energy generation should be examined after the above methods are explored.

SummarySummary

What we covered:Energy use statistics & standardsHome energy saving opportunitiesHome Energy AuditingAuditor CertificationSaving energy by conservation,

efficiency, Renewable generation

What we covered:Energy use statistics & standardsHome energy saving opportunitiesHome Energy AuditingAuditor CertificationSaving energy by conservation,

efficiency, Renewable generation

Questions?Questions?