DEL.ICIO.USREMODELING
Smyrna couple goes green to cut energy costs
Free audit could help other homeowners save money
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Monday, October 06, 2008
When Jon and Brenda Gallagher decided to embark on a kitchen overhaul last year, they consulted Smyrna neighbor and energy-efficiency expert Matt Hoots, president of the Hoots Group. But for Hoots, a contractor specializing in EarthCraft homes, a remodel isn’t just about an attractive floorplan. He wanted to give the Gallaghers a “greenovation.”
“Because Matt is so knowledgeable about green building, we realized, ‘Oh, we can remodel and save some money, too?’” Brenda Gallagher recalled.
Jason Getz/jgetz@ajc.com
Brenda Gallagher points to one of the three programmable thermostats she and her husband, Jon, installed to let them regulate the temperature in the rooms they use most.
Jason Getz/jgetz@ajc.com
Contractor Matt Hoots, Melissa Klein of Energy Star Communications and Brenda Gallagher stand in the crawlspace. It was draped in thick plastic to inhibit humidity, odors and mold growth from seeping into the home.
Jason Getz/jgetz@ajc.com
The Gallaghers cut down on costs by switching to ENERGY STAR-qualified compact fluorescent bulbs.
LEARN MORE
• To see what rebates are available in your area, visit conservewatergeorgia.net
• Schedule a Georgia Power energy audit by visiting georgiapower.com/energystar/ or phone 1-800-524-2421.
• For more on ENERGY STAR and WaterSense, visit energystar.gov and www.epa.gov/WaterSense.
The project included new ENERGY STAR-rated appliances, new lighting, locally sourced cabinetry (cutting down on fuel use in transport, Hoots said), and paint low in volatile organic compounds. Hoots also installed programmable thermostats in three areas, allowing the Gallaghers to regulate heat and cooling in the rooms they use most. A crawlspace was draped in thick plastic, inhibiting humidity, odors and mold growth from seeping into the home. The couple plan to swap out old windows with energy-efficient models.
Products that carry the WaterSense and ENERGY STAR labels are certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
But you don’t have to make sweeping changes in your home to save on your energy bill, said Georgia Power spokeswoman Lynn Wallace. Cutting down on costs can be as easy as swapping out old light bulbs in favor of ENERGY STAR-qualified compact fluorescent bulbs, such as the ones found throughout the Gallagher home.
“I know in this economy people don’t have a lot of extra money, but if you spend a little upfront, you’ll save money in the longterm,” she said.
Not sure where to begin conserving energy in your home? Wallace said Georgia Power customers can request a free energy audit of their home with an ENERGY STAR expert.
SAVING RESOURCES IN YOUR HOME
QUICK FIXES
Swap out the lightbulbs: ENERGY STAR-qualified compact fluorescent lightbulbs are 75 percent more efficient than regular incandescent bulbs and last up to 10 times longer, according to the EPA. If every American home swapped out one light bulb for a CFL, the EPA estimates the country would save $600 million in energy costs annually. (But don’t throw your CFL bulbs in the trash, because they contain a small amount of mercury; you can recycle them at stores such as Home Depot and Lowe’s.)
Change the filters: Installing a clean filter every three months helps your HVAC system run more efficiently, saving on power costs, Georgia Power spokeswoman Lynn Wallace said.
Install new thermostat: The EPA recommends installing a qualified programmable thermostat and setting it to 78 in the summer (turn on ceiling fans) and 68 in the winter. This move can save up to $180 a year in energy costs. (But check with your local municipality about recycling your old thermostat.)
Replace faucets and add a faucet aerator: In addition to WaterSense-certified faucets, the cheapest and fastest change you can make in your home’s water consumption is installing a WaterSense-certified faucet or aerator, according to Deron Davis, WaterSense director for the Georgia Environmental Protection Division. The EPA estimates if every U.S. home installed a WaterSense-certified faucet or aerator,we’d save about 60 billion gallons of water each year.
Weather-strip windows, doors and refrigerator: Correctly installed ENERGY STAR home-sealing products can help save about $200 a year in heating and cooling costs, according to the EPA.
Use blinds properly: In the hot summer months, keep blinds and drapery closed to help the house stay cool. In winter, open them up to allow solar heat in your home.
Strip it: Plug your consumer electronic devices (such as phone chargers which zap energy when not in use) into a single power strip. Unplug the power strip when not in use to save energy and money.
BIGGER PLANS
Update appliances: ENERGY STAR appliances are 10 percent to 50 percent more water and energy-efficient than regular appliances, according to the EPA. Using ENERGY STAR appliances can help save about $75 a year in annual energy costs.
Replace toilet with low-flow or high-efficiency models: A toilet is the home’s largest water user, according to Davis. Swapping your old toilet for a 1.6- or 1.28-gallons-per-flush WaterSense-certified model can save money over the long-term, he said. And many municipalities offer rebate incentives.
Install new energy-efficient windows: According to ENERGYSTAR.gov, a typical home saves $126–$465 a year after replacing all single-pane windows and $27–$111 a year if replacing double-pane, clear glass replacement windows.