Homeowner's Guide to Saving Money, Energy and the Environment

HOMEOWNER'S GUIDE To Saving Money, Energy and The Environment ENERGY STAR Energy Star's purpose is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants that are caused by the inefficient use of energy and to make it easier for consumers to choose energy-efficient products. OFFICE EQUIPMENT As of 2012 there are more than Since 1993, more than 4.5 APPLIANCES 1.4 LIGHTING billion million Energy Star certified products have been purchased Energy Star certified homes. HVAC HOME ELECTRONICS Since 1995, when the EPA start labeling new homes, homeowners in the U.S. have saved more $4 39 than $4 billion on utility bills and reduced GHG emissions by more than 39 billion pounds. BLLION POUNDS BILLION SAVING MONEY The average household: WINDOWS AND DOORS Using Energy Star certified windows, doors and skylights reduces energy bills by 7 to 15% compared to non-Energy Star products. WASHING MACHINE Potential savings: 400 7,000 gallons of water per year loads of laundry per year Conventional washers use 40 gallons Replacing a washing machine with an of water for a full load energy-efficient model can save a family $110 per year on utility bills. Energy Star washers use 20 to 25 gallons REFRIGERATORS HEATING, VENTILATION AND AIR CONDITIONING (HVAC) New refrigerators use 75% less energy than those built in the late 1970s. Replacing a refrigerator from 1980 Replacing an old air conditioner with an Energy Star model can reduce energy costs by with a new model will save a family approximately $100 a year. $14 per year. Refrigerators with freezers on top use 10 to 15% less energy than side-by-side refrigerators. Federal tax credits for 2013 apply to the purchase of certain Energy Star energy-efficient products. For example: 10 percent of the product's cost up to $500, or in some cases, a specific amount (restrictions apply) GAS, OIL OR PROPANE WINDOWS, DOORS WATER HEATER AND SKYLIGHTS ELECTRIC HEAT PUMP METAL AND ASPHALT WATER HEATER ROOFS 10% of the cost up to $500 CENTRAL AIR INSULATION CONDITIONING specific amount of $300 BIOMASS STOVE SAVING ENERGY When shopping for energy efficient appliances, look for the Energy Guide label, specifically those with the Energy Star label. An Energy Star certified home has energy-saving In 2012, families who lived in Energy Star features that perform as much as: certified homes saved more than: 30% $527 MILLION on their energy bills. better than a typical new home. WATTS FOR POPULAR APPLIANCES 1200-2400 725 (16 CUBIC FEET, FROST-FREE) 4500 - 5500 (40 GALLON) 750-1100 50 1800-5000 900-1200 A high-efficiency air conditioner A water heater makes up about: can cut energy use by: 20% 14% of a home's energy usage TO 50% the third highest energy use in the average home. SAVING THE ENVIRONMENT Carbon footprint breakdown, per the EPA in 2009 27% 20% 19% 15% 14% 5% HOME ENERGY USE PURCHASE TRANSPORTATION SERVICES RECREATION FOOD & DRINK Typical annual savings when replacing: DOUBLE-PANE, CLEAR SINGLE-PANE WINDOWS GLASS WINDOWS $146-$501 $71-$247 1,147-3,839 pounds of CO² 692-2,825 pounds of CO² 59 to 196 gallons of gas 35 to 144 gallons of gas Since energy efficiency standards were developed, consumers have: saved $2,000 $200 billion per household 2x Even without new energy efficiencies, these numbers are expected to double in the next 20 years. Toilets account for up to: Toilets made before 1992 use about: 3.5 GALLONS 30% of water per flush. of indoor, residential water usage. Faucets account for: WaterSense faucets can reduce water usage by: 15% 30% about 1 trillion gallons of water per year throughout the United States. If all households in the U.S. replaced their faucets with WaterSense faucets, consumers would save: $350 60 MILLION BILLION gallons of water every year This 60 billion gallon water savings could provide public water for a city the size of Miami for 150 days. SOURCES www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/publications/pubdocs/ES%20bi-fold%20031313%20FINAL%20for%20print%20rev.pdf, p. 2, fig. 2. www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0072-shopping-home-appliances-use-energyguide-label www.energystar.gov/certified-products/how-product-earns-label?c=products.pr_how_eam www.energy.gov/energysaver/articles/estimating-appliance-and-home-electronic-energy-use www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=Dwindows_doors.pr_benefits www.fcs.tamu.edu/housing/efficient_housing/equipment_and_appliances/energy_star_appliances.php www.nrdc.org/air/energy/fappl.asp www.energystar.gov/?c=tax_credits.tx_index www.epa.gov/greenhomes/ConserveWater.htm LIVINGDIRECT created by OBizMedia Smarter Shopping. Better Living.