BobVila.com's Top 5 Energy-Saving Ideas for 2008
BOSTON, Jan. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Home improvement expert Bob Vila has been
on the presidential campaign trail talking about energy efficiency. His
popular web site shares five earth-friendly projects -- both large and small
-- for your home in 2008.
1. Use energy-saving appliances. Refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers,
furnaces, heat pumps, air conditioning units and water heaters all have high-
efficiency models. Before buying a new appliance, compare labels to find one
that uses the least amount of energy and water with the lowest operating
costs. Appliances with the Energy Star label are up to 50 percent more
efficient than standard models, saving you up to 30 percent on your electric
bill. "I've been promoting Energy Star appliances for over a decade," Bob Vila
says, "and it still makes sense to invest in them because of the energy
savings you'll get."
2. Mind the gaps. By sealing gaps and leakages around your home, you'll
keep warm air in and cold air out, ensuring a lower energy bill and less
waste. Some of the worst air leakage areas in the average home are exterior
wall outlets, the soleplate, the duct system, exterior windows and doors, and
fireplaces. Use storm windows, which can reduce heat loss by 25 to 50 percent,
and storm doors. Add weatherstripping and caulking around doors and windows,
including attic entryways. Install door sweeps to inside doors adjacent to the
garage and the outside. Stop cold air infiltration from electric outlets and
switches by using draft blockers. Add caulk around foundation walls, pipe
outlets, clothes dryer vents, exterior faucets and any other gaps on the
outside of your house. Use it around baseboards and where walls meet other
walls or the ceiling or floor.
3. Turn it off. In a typical residential utility bill, lighting accounts
for 15 percent and electronics for over 25 percent of usage. "The simple
things will get you the biggest savings on utility costs," Vila says. "It's
just like Mom said: turn off the light when you leave the room!" Gadgets like
MP3 players and cell phones draw electricity even when not connected, so they
should be unplugged once charged. "Nowadays we have tons of chargers in our
lives that sap power in small amounts that add up to big bills," Vila adds,
"so it makes sense to monitor them and end the waste." Anything with a standby
light, like a TV, should be plugged into a power strip and shut down when not
in use. And make sure to activate the "sleep" feature of equipment so it
automatically powers down.
4. Pick the right light. Compact florescent lighting, or CFLs, are safer,
use 70 percent less electricity, produce as much light and last up to 15 times
longer than incandescent bulbs. "If you're still waiting for the incandescent
light bulbs in your house to burn out before replacing them it's time to wise
up," Vila says, "just do it!"
5. Insulate. More than half the energy used for heating is lost through
walls, floors, ceilings and attics that are not insulated. With spray foam
insulation, liquid polyurethane is pumped through pressurized spray nozzles
and expands on surfaces to form an insulating barrier. Unlike traditional
insulating materials, spray foam insulation can seal tiny cracks and seams you
can't even see. "If you're in an old house with inadequate levels of
insulation in the attic you should really consider a spray-up job," Vila says.
"It's safe and economical and probably the most efficient insulation you can
get for a remodel."
Based in Boston, BobVila.com is the leading site for the do-it-yourself
community from the most trusted name in home improvement. It offers homeowners
valuable, factual information to solve their problems and answer their
questions at every stage of the home improvement, remodeling and repair
process -- usually for a specific project they are undertaking. Content
contains: articles, how to videos with step by step instructions, videos from
Bob Vila shows, tips, a glossary of terms, forums, blogs and fix it guides.
Podcasts and contests add an element of fun to the site.
For more energy-saving and conservation tips, visit
www.bobvila.com/green. For daily blog entries on green building and
other home improvement topics, visit www.bobvila.com/OnTheLevel/.
SOURCE BobVila.com
