Water Conservation

While about 70 percent of the planet is covered in water, only three percent is drinkable. What is even more startling is how fast we are using, and wasting, what little drinking water we have. Water use has tripled since 1950 and Austin’s summer water usage rates go up more and more every year. About 38 percent of Austin’s water goes to residential areas, meaning that homeowners play a big role in water conservation.

Most of the time you aren’t aware that you are wasting water- when you hand-wash the dishes, brush your teeth with the faucet running or thaw out frozen food with running water. Instead, try washing dishes in a sink full of soapy water or defrosting food in the refrigerator overnight. Turn off the water while you brush your teeth and you can save four gallons of water a minute.

Another misconception about water is that it takes a lot to keep your lawn and landscape looking superior. Over-watering not only wastes water, but it can kill your plants. Only water your lawn and your plants when necessary and try landscaping with native, drought-tolerate plants that do not require constant water and attention. Use mulch to retain some moisture in your soil or pick up xeriscaping for a more water-conservative landscape.

These are few of many easy ways to save water. You can also invest in low-flow toilets, water-saving showerheads and clothes washers. All of these appliances qualify for rebates with Austin’s water conservation program, preserving water flow in your area and cash flow in your pocket.
Remember, we are not going to save the planet overnight, but small changes certainly add up. As one of the top green cities in the nation, Austin is setting an example for communities all over the nation to make individual efforts toward increasing environmental quality so that we can make a difference as a whole.

# 1 --- Lighting

The old cliché’s about turning lights off when they aren’t in use to save energy is obviously a good step. But, new technologies have created light bulbs that save electricity when they are on. These bulbs not only last longer but also use less energy than regular bulbs. These bulbs are CFL’s or Compact Florescent Light Bulbs. Though they may cost more up front, because the bulbs use less energy and last longer, the long term cost is less than standard bulbs. Typically, standard or Incandescent Light Bulbs create about 90% heat and 10% light. Not only does this waste energy as heat, but this heat works against air conditioning efforts in the summer.

# 2 --- Appliances

When purchasing new appliances shoppers should pay attention to the yellow Energy Guide tags on different products and use them to make comparisons. Also, the EPA’s Energy Star logo signifies an energy efficient model for refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers and other appliances. Beyond this, pay attention and look into the existing models of appliances in your home and how they are being used. Is that old refrigerator in the garage really being used? Older model refrigerators can consume multiple times more energy than new efficient models.

# 3 --- Window Shading - Trees, Solar Screens and Overhangs

In Austin’s climate, by far the biggest use of energy in a home is that used to cool the home in the summer. Radiant heat from the direct rays of the sun can be one of the biggest detriments to keeping a home cool. Therefore, blocking the heat from the summer sun from entering through windows is crucial. Broad leafed trees can create microclimates that mean the outside of the home stays cooler, and that sun rays don’t enter the home. Solar screens and shades can be fitted to windows to minimize the amount of sun rays entering the home. Overhangs that are part of the home or attached awnings can achieve the same effect.

# 4 --- Seal and Insulate Ducts

Ductwork is the means by which conditioned air is moved to different parts of the home. Ideally the air coming out of an air conditioning unit is less than 60 degrees. However, if ducts are not sealed and insulated, much of this conditioned air will be lost in the attic space and the rest will be heated by the hot attic air. Replacing, sealing, and insulating duct work usually is very inexpensive and may be the single most cost effective way of saving energy in a climate like Austin’s where air conditioning is necessary. A list of contractors that can perform these services can be found on the Austin Energy web site.

# 5 --- Power Strips on Appliances

An open secret in the home energy efficiency world is that many modern appliances such as answering machines, stereos, televisions and computers continue to use energy even when they are turned off. In many cases this is necessary for the appliances to perform automatic functions. However, the combined draw of this “dead load” can contribute to multiple watts an hour being used continuously throughout the day and year. A way to guard against this is to put all appliances like this on power strips like those used for computers. These power strips can be turned off when appliances are not in use which puts an end to the “dead load”.

# 6 --- Programmable Thermostat

Every home has different occupancy patterns. But, one thing most homes have in common is that there are periods when many occupants are in the house and awake, periods when occupants are away and periods when occupants are sleeping. Installation of a programmable thermostat allows the occupants to set heating and cooling functions to coincide with the periods that they are in the house and awake. During other periods the temperatures are allowed to vary more widely so that less energy is used powering the heating and cooling equipment. Most hardware, discount and even grocery stores stock programmable thermostats. Austin Energy even has offers for free ones.

# 7 --- Weather Stripping and Sealing

Even though a home may have efficient cooling and heating equipment that is working as designed, the home may not feel comfortable due to infiltration of air from the outside. Air can pass through walls, windows, doors, and other fixtures. Sealing and weather stripping areas where this air infiltration is evident can help reduce these negative effects. Common places where these problems are easily addressed include attic hatch openings, door edges and window edges. Weather stripping and spray foams are available at hardware stores for these purposes.

# 8 --- Attic Insulation

The largest differentials in a home’s inside conditioned temperatures and an adjacent unconditioned temperature tend to occur between the interior of the home and the attic during the summer. Attics can superheat to well over 130 degrees. If proper attic insulation is not in place, the home will feel hot, well after the sun sets because of this. Therefore it is important to have a good layer of attic insulation to an R-level of 30 to 38. This is relatively inexpensive to have performed too, and it usually pays for itself in savings within a couple of years.

# 9 --- Heating/Cooling Equipment Maintenance

Make sure a home’s heating and cooling mechanical equipment is properly maintained. This involves the homeowner changing filters at least monthly and hosing down the outside condensing unit at least once a year. Also, the outside condensing unit should be kept free of bushes that might block air flow, yet at the same time be situated in a shady area.

# 10 --- Have a Home Energy Audit/Rating Performed

A full scope Performance Path Energy Rating / Audit will evaluate the entire home as a system and give options for the most effective efficiency upgrades and measures that can be made. These can be performed on existing homes as well as those under construction. A good energy audit will usually include a blower door test to test whole house air infiltration, a duct blaster test to test air leakage, and the use of a computer software program that evaluates the house as a system.

A list of certified home energy raters can be found at the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) web site: www.natresnet.org.

Provided By: Curt Van Riper
Green Zone Home/C&C Engineering
512-467-7732
curt@greenzonehome.com