Green House

Comments () | Published March 1, 2010

Lightening Up

Light bulbs account for about 20 percent of a home’s electric bill. Swap incandescent bulbs for more efficient compact fluorescent lights, starting with fixtures that get used the most. In addition to consuming up to 75 percent less energy, CFLs radiate 75 percent less heat, thereby reducing cooling costs in summer.

“CFLs pay for themselves in less than half a year,” Callahan says, “and that’s assuming the bulb is on only three hours a day.”

Pepco partners with Maryland retailers, such as Safeway and Walmart, to subsidize a discounted price on CFL bulbs. Store locations are at pepco.com.Unplug and Save

Although appliances have gotten more efficient over the years, people today use more energy than ever, due in part to gadgets that weren’t in widespread use a decade ago, from BlackBerry chargers to large flat-screen TVs, which use more energy than a standard television.

Home products in about 60 categories have earned the Energy Star label, which indicates that they meet strict federal guidelines and are on average about 30 percent more energy-efficient than conventional counterparts. Details on costs, features, and payback periods are at energystar.gov.

Energy Star refrigerators consume 50 percent less electricity than those manufactured before 1993. Says Dorsi: “If you have a refrigerator that’s more than 15 years old and you buy a new Energy Star one, you could save up to $100 a year in electricity.” In many households, refrigerators are the biggest electricity guzzlers, exacerbated by the fact that many people hang on to old models to chill drinks in a basement or garage.

Regardless of the type of refrigerator you own, you can reduce its energy consumption by controlling the temperature—experts suggest 35 to 38 degrees—and keeping it fully stocked, even if that means filling space with a gallon of water.

Appliances with remote controls or standby lights consume energy constantly, even while shut off or not in use—including cell-phone and laptop-computer chargers. A modern household’s energy bill includes up to $20 a month on “parasite” loads that could be eliminated by plugging electronics into power strips, says Dorsi, which allow less energy loss—and can be turned off with one switch.

What might seem trivial adds up, Vargas says: Americans spend $800 million a year on energy consumed by TVs that are turned off.

More Energy-Saving Advice

The energy offices of DC, Maryland, and Virginia have lots of information for residents, from money-savings tips and contractor recommendations to programs that provide assistance.

District Department of the Environment: 202-673-6700.

Maryland Energy Administration’s Maryland Home Performance: 240-260-7655.

Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals, and Energy: 804-692-3200.

Home Energy Saver do-it-yourself energy audit tool.

Tax Incentives Assistance Project, which outlines current tax incentives for energy-efficient products and technologies.

Tags: Home Design