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Photograph by Kathy De La Torre
Steve McVay of Campbell recently installed double-paned windows, both to increase energy efficiency and improve resale value.
Home shoppers look for energy efficiency
By Jean Newton
This month the threat of rolling blackouts along with shocking PG&E bills hit a little too close to home as homeowners faced an escalating energy crisis. While some customers are ready to boycott payment of their power bills, others are aware that conservation is a key factor in meeting the challenge of the energy crisis. Until the power gurus figure out what to do about restoring a viable energy system, what can homeowners do to cut their own home energy costs?
"Taking a few simple precautionary steps, such as preparing your home for winter is a smart way to cut energy costs and may even add to the value of your home," said Penny Pompei, executive director of Silicon Valley Association of Realtors.
On the winter check list from the Home Warranty Association of California (HWAC) are several items, including a furnace checkup, water heater efficiencies and weather stripping, to help cut energy costs and to keep mechanical and electrical systems in tiptop shape. The HWAC recommends preventative maintenance as a way for homeowners to save potentially thousands of dollars while extending the life of their operation systems and appliances.
Winter Energy Saving Tips
Winter is the perfect time to make a visual inspection of your furnace. Turn the furnace off to vacuum away dust, replace filters clogged with lint, dirt and other debris and check for cracked or frayed belts or other parts that need replacement. Make sure your furnace is lubricated and properly adjusted. Replacing filters helps increase airflow and helps your furnace run more efficiently.
Additionally, PG&E recommends setting your thermostat at 68 degrees or lower during the day and at 55 degrees or turning it off at night. You should also turn the furnace off when you are on vacation or when you leave your home for four hours or longer. For every degree you lower your heat in the 60 to 70 degree range, you'll save up to 5 percent on heating costs.
It's also wise to close off vents to rooms and areas that aren't in use. Making sure that heavy furniture doesn't cover vents keeps heat circulating freely. Using passive solar heating on sunny days is a natural way to keep the house warm. Opening the drapes on windows facing south lets the sun shine in during the day, then closing the drapes at night helps retain indoor heat. Keeping the drapes closed on a large expanse of window will also keep your house warmer, since up to 16 percent of the heat can escape through unprotected windows. Insulating shutters or drapes that are closed during winter nights can save up to 15 percent in space heating costs, as well.
The HWAC also advises looking for air cracks around windows, doors, pipes, ducts and other openings. Weather stripping and caulking around windows and doors will keep out drafts and air or water leaks. Plugging gaps around pipes, ducts, fans and vents can save 1 to 3 percent in space-heating costs. Since leaky ducts can account for over 50 percent of cooling and heating costs, it may be worth the expense of having a contractor come out to inspect and make repairs, if needed.
Your water heater is another potential source for saving energy. HWAC recommends lowering the setting of the temperature on your water heater to a low-to-medium setting, instead of the highest setting. When it's time to invest in a new water heater, choosing one with the highest Energy Factor (EF) you can afford will provide the most efficient energy savings over the long run.
Long-term Savings
While there are many temporary ways to cut energy costs, many homeowners are also taking a long-term approach to savings by incorporating energy efficiencies into their homes as they remodel. One Los Gatos homeowner is remodeling a house with energy savings in mind, as well as resale value. By adding 1,200 square feet to the original three-bedroom, two-bathroom house, the remodel will expand to become a four-bedroom, three-bath, 2,600-square-foot home featuring a new master bath and bedroom, as well as an added family room. Currently on the market at $899,950, the home also contains the latest in energy efficiencies with retrofitting throughout the remodel.
According to listing agent Larry Baldasano, president of Village Square Realty, this remodel is a good example of what buyers are looking for when they purchase a home.
"It's a big plus for homes today to be as energy efficient as possible with updated appliances, thermopane windows and insulation that meets current codes. In addition to the larger master bath and bathroom and the all important family living area, buyers are concerned about conserving energy--especially when faced with soaring costs to maintain a home," said Baldasano.
Adding new high performance windows and insulation to keep your home comfortable all year-round are worth the investment, according to PG&E. While the initial investment will cost a bit, higher potential savings are the result. Replacing an old refrigerator, for instance, is a good way to save in the long term since new, efficient models use as little as half the electricity of older units. You might also be able to take advantage of rebates sponsored by PG&E or the Electric and Gas Industries Association (EGIA) on the purchase of energy-efficient appliances.
Lowering Energy Bills
Whether you simply replace old-fashioned light bulbs with new compact fluorescent lamps that last longer and use less electricity, or decide to make a larger investment to conserve energy by purchasing new appliances, it is possible to lower your energy bills. You can find more tips on how you can save on energy costs by checking out PG&E's website at www.pge.com.
If you want to reduce your energy bill, now is the time to take an energy inventory at your home to see where you need to put your time and money for maximum savings and comfort. You can obtain a free, custom home-energy profile from the Department of Energy at www.HomeEnergySaver.lbl.gov to help you out. Home Energy Savers (HES) estimates the average homeowner could reduce his or her energy bill by up to 50 percent by adopting energy saving recommendations. In the Los Gatos/Saratoga area, HES lists the average annual energy bill for an average house at $1,074, while the average bill for an energy efficient house in the area would only be $619 per year.
"Realtors are also a great resource to help homeowners who have questions about energy efficiencies in the home and how that affects resale values, " said SILVAR executive director Penny Pompei. "Energy conservation is a huge concern in today's housing market and it's well worth the effort to learn all you can about what brings the best return on your investment."
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Saratoga, California Since 1955
