A Money-Saving Guide from the Van Buren Climate Action Team.
"Is Your Home Burning Money Through Its Walls, Ceiling, Doors and Windows?"
Did you know that the average Michigan home loses $1,200 per year through air leaks alone? That's like throwing a month's mortgage payment out the window!
This first section of this guide covers how to make a drafty home warm and comfortable at minimal cost because most of it is DIY. Step One is Understanding Your Energy Use.
How to read your utility bill
The following link is a short video on how to break down the charges on your bill.
https://youtu.be/p_BsXwtTz7s
The link below discusses the bill in a little more depth, with energy tiers explained.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvD0Ahx3l4Q. (This Old House)
This breakdown shows energy used in the average home:
1. Heating/cooling (40-50%)
2. Water heating (14%)
3. Lighting (9%)
4. Appliances and electronics makes up the remainder up to 23%
Free No and Low Cost Tips
Change all your light bulbs to LED. They are cool lights, if your existing lights get hot or are warm to the touch they are expensive incandescent lights; old technology lighting. LED’s use 75% less energy, last 25 times longer, there is a quick payback period. They come in many hues, sizes and shapes with many applications.Turn off lights when leaving a room ( even LED’s).
2. Thermostat Management
Every degree adjustment = 2-3% savings
Recommended temperatures: 68 F heating, 78 F cooling
Night/away setbacks can save 10%
This is not recommended with geothermal units. It is more cost effective to set and forget. Find a comfortable setting 68 to 70 degrees.
3. Smart Water Heater Use
Lower water heater to 120 F
Use cold water for laundry when possible
Fix leaking faucets. A leak can wast 1000 + gallons annually ( well increases electric bill / city water bill)
Wrap your hot water heater in a thermal blanket you can get at the hardware store and wrap pipes with insulation.
4. Electronics and Appliances
Identify and unplug “energy vampires” these are your electronic devices, TV’s, computers etc.
Put all electronics on a power strip and turn them off at night and at other times they are not in use. (vacation mode)
Run full loads in dishwasher/ and washing machine
Use appliances during off-peak hours ( On your electric bill under usage there will be an explanation of optimum times to use electricity at a lower rate).
At the end of the month check your usage and cost savings. You can enlist all family members in this research project. Make it a monthly family challenge!
Sealing Air Leaks or Drafts / DIY
This video by “The Fixer” covers all the air leaks in a house and how to fix them. He is well worth watching!
This video by “The Fixer” covers all the air leaks in a house and how to fix them. He is well worth watching!
How to Stop Cold Air Leaks in Your House for the Winter | Make Your Home More Energy Efficient
Click on the red dot.
- Electrify and Solarize - https://homes.rewiringamerica.org/
Getting a Home Energy Check-up by a Professional Company
Do you want to know if your home is wasting energy? Start by getting a professional home energy audit. These experts will:
Check your whole house for energy problems
Create a plan to fix issues over time
Tell you which problems to fix first.
These professionals are trained to find and fix energy waste. They know how to
Spot where air is leaking out of your home.
Make sure your home is sealed properly
Keep air flowing in a healthy way
What is the Blower Door Test?
A blower door test shows how tight your home is. The test uses a special fan that fits into your front door. This fan pulls air out of your house, which creates suction. When this happens, outside air starts flowing in through any cracks or holes in your home. This helps find where your house is leaking air.
What’s Used in the Test?
A special door frames that holds a large fan
The fan itself, moves lots of air
Pressure meters to measure air differences
Computer equipment to collect information
Special tools that can find exactly where air is leaking
How Does the Test Find Problems?
During the test, professionals will:
Use the fan to create suction is your home
Measure how much air is leaking in
Use special tools to find exactly where air is getting in
Calculate how much air your house loses per hour
What Can the Test Find?
The test helps find hidden air leaks that can cause:
Higher energy bill from wasted heating and cooling
Moisture build -up that could lead to mold
Cold drafts and uneven temperature in rooms
Poor air quality inside your home
Common Places Where Air Leaks:
Around Your Home:
Gaps near windows and doors
Holes for pipes, wiring, and heating/cooling equipment
Attic entrances
Where the basement meets the floor (sill plate)
In Your Home’s Systems:
Air duct connections
Ceiling lights that are recessed
Bathroom and kitchen vent fans
Fireplace openings
How to choose the Right Contractor
What to Look For:
Training certificates from the department of Energy
Professional certifications from building organizations
State licenses to do this work
Insurance to protest your home
Experience with homes in your area
Questions to Ask Before Hiring:
About the Test:
What exactly will you measure?
What tools will you use?
Will you use a special camera to check for heat loss?
How long will the test take?
What kind of report will I get?
About Their Experience
How many homes have you tested?
Can I talk to other homeowners you've helped?
What help do you offer after the test?
How do you make sure your results are right?
Warning signs:
Be careful if a contractor:
Can’t show you their certificates
Charges much less than others
Won’t give you a written plan
Pushes you to decide right away
won’t give you references
skips important safety steps
Getting Ready for the Test
Before testing starts:
Turn off all gas appliances
Close all outside windows
Open all inside doors
Turn off fans and heating/cooling systems
Close up any fireplaces
Understanding Your Results:
Your report should tell you:
How much air your house loses per hour
Where the biggest air leaks are
How your home compares to building standards
what fixes you should make and which one to make first
Stop / used revised case study.
Covers everything solar, costs and savings. A good site to research solar and how it would fit into your present or future plans for sustainability .
MI solar for All
Financial Help for efficiency upgrades.
Michigan Saves | Clean Energy Financing | Nonprofit Green …
https://michigansaves.org
Utility Companies: Some utilities such as Consumers Energy have been providing rebates to customers who have upgraded to more efficient HVAC machines, heat pump hot water heaters, some very efficient appliances, attic insulation, and crawl space insulation. Check with your utility.
The Inflation Reduction Act provides federal tax credits and upfront rebates for families in the low to mid-income bracket. To upgrade your home to increase energy efficiency, decrease utility bills and home comfort; go to rewiringayerica.org. for more information on these tax credits. There is a manual on this site that you can use over the next ten years when your equipment wears out and you want to replace it with more efficient machines. There is an easy calculator to use to determine your credits.
For home owners that are low income
Health & Human Service
https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/doing-business/weatherization
Apply through Van Buren County Department of Health & Human services.
Michigan State Housing Development Authority
MSHDA is a quasi-public agency of Michigan that provides funds and programs for housing development, rehabilitation, and affordability. It was created in 1966 and operates under the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity. Check with this agency for specific efficiency grants.
https://www.michigan.gov/mshda
Energy Star
For a comprehensive investigation of all things energy star go to this website.
This site covers a wide range of energy issues, whether it’s weatherization, insulation, rebates from the Federal, State, Utility, or corporate levels on various projects, materials or appliances. There is an impressive amount of information and savings when you can bundle these programs. www.energystar.gov