ASK THE EXPERT
Besides zonal heating, how can I reduce my energy use this winter?
Here are some tips that can make a big difference in energy use and comfort during those cold winter nights and days:
- Close the blinds and drapes at night. This one action can reduce the transmission loss through windows by a third, and help reduce drafts.
- Keep the blinds closed on cold, cloudy days. The ‘air layer’ actually becomes an insulation layer.
- OPEN the south-facing blinds on cold, SUNNY days. The solar-gain more than makes up for the heat lost, and dogs love it. Because of the angle of the sun, it’s mostly infra-red and the fabric-damaging ultraviolet has much less impact.
- Have single-pane windows? Unless you have the money and plan to live there a long time, add storm windows rather than Low-e Argon glass. Argon windows are great and reduce window heat loss as much as 69%, but just putting on storm windows cut it almost in half (44%) and cost less.
- Infiltration (air leaks) in older homes is usually the biggest heat-sucker and very difficult to control. Older homes typically are 1.0- or 1.5-ACH, while most new homes have a .25-ACH rating. ACH = Air Changes per Hour. So, what does that mean? In a new home (@ .25) it takes about 4 hours for all of the heated inside air to go outside and be replaced by unheated outside air. At 1.0-ACH, that takes just one hour. Homes need some fresh air replacement, but waste is costly. Talk to your electric utility for help in controlling that.
- If you feel “wind” around doors, the best thing is calking and/or new rubber seals. Towels at the base can help for the short term.
- Controlling duct losses in central furnaces is also a big one. I’ve got no answer for that one, other than adding non-ducted zonal or hybrid-heating in your most frequently used rooms.
- Heat loss is a direct factor of temperature difference from inside to outside. In Portland and Seattle, reducing the thermostat from 75F to 70F will cut heating energy use by about 10%. In colder climates such as Eastern Washington, the savings are around only 7%, so you’ll need to lower it further.
Stay comfortable, efficiently.
Contributed by Doug Kaer, Regional Sales Manager