Smart Energy Choices

Our Energy Choices can improve Air Quality!

Are you like thousands of other Mainers who want to save on energy costs? Saving money with smart energy choices has become an increasingly important goal in these tough economic times.

Making smart energy choices and being energy wise can make a big difference in the air we breathe. Although we don't think about it most of the time, we continuously inhale and exhale lots of different molecules-mostly nitrogen and oxygen (the stuff we NEED). However, there are a bunch of other compounds floating around out there that we can neither see nor smell. Some are natural and harmless, but many others are man-made pollutants that can harm our health and damage the environment. The pollution emitted from our transportation fuel, home heating and electrical needs contributes lots of different kinds of chemicals to our air that can affect our health.

Renewable energy options are an outstanding way to go if your home is as energy efficient as it can be and you can afford a long term investment. And right now there are lots of state and federal incentives to help homeowners install some of this technology. Make sure payback periods are quick (2-5 years) and if there are any tax incentives to defray some of the initial costs.

Before spending any money on new systems think EFFICIENCY FIRST! You can save a lot of money with simple actions that will also reduce how much you need to pay out for new home energy investments.

Efficiency First!

• Tuning up the furnace each summer makes a big difference in how efficiently your burner is working and can save you in the long run.
• Weatherize, insulate and caulk doors, windows, walls and ceilings to reduce air leaks that cause drafts in your home.
• Check those pesky air leaks from electric outlets by purchasing inexpensive foam plate liners. Simply unscrew the outlet plate, install the foam insulator and screw the plate back on. Child proof outlet covers help cut down the air leaks even further.
• Hang some thermal curtains on windows – you can even make some yourself. There are a number of options for window curtain materials at your local fabric stores that can reduce your heat loss through windows.
• Consider reducing the thermostat on your home heater a few degrees – you can wear layers of clothes and use lap blankets and sweaters as a low cost way to pinch a few pennies from your heating costs. Turning it lower when you're not home or in bed sleeping can reduce your energy costs too. Programmable thermostats are available to purchase which can do this automatically for you.
• The Union of Concerned Scientists estimates the average homeowner pays over 5% of their electric bill on unnecessary electricity costs for “phantom” loads. You can reduce your phantom electricity loads from electronics at home by installing smart power strips or simply turning off the surge protector strips when you're not using the equipment. Find out how to measure your phantom loads with kilowatt meters on loan from local libraries at http://www.efficiencymaine.com/ .
• Washing clothes in cold water, taking shorter showers and turning off the faucet when brushing teeth all reduce the amount of hot water you need to heat and can save you big bucks over the year.
• Upgrading an old refrigerator with a new replacement is a surefire way to reduce your electricity costs fast. Efficiency Maine's Low Income Appliance Replacement Program was designed to replace old and inefficient refrigerators and freezers in the homes of low-income consumers. Find out how at: http://www.efficiencymaine.com/other_programs_lirr.htm .
• The Maine Home Performance with Energy Star ® (MaineHP) Program links Maine homeowners with qualified, certified Evaluators who provide one-stop-shop access to a whole-house approach to home improvements. Maine Home Performance evaluators diagnose what is going on in your home around energy use and comfort, indoor air quality, moisture and combustion safety. Like a mechanic or a physician, home performance evaluators use technologically-advanced tools to diagnose your home before making suggestions for improvements. Every home performance evaluator sets his or her own rates for evaluation and improvement services. Find a list of certified evaluators at: http://www.mainehomeperformance.org/
• For additional information on Home Energy efficiency and recommendations for doing a home self audit, check out the UMaine Cooperative Extension Service webpages at: http://www.umext.maine.edu/energy/conservation.htm .
• You'll find more excellent ideas for saving money in the Consumer's Guide to Energy Efficiency at this web site: http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/ .

Is a New Home Heating System an Option for Me?

When it comes to home heating, most people still rely on Number 2 fuel oil, kerosene, propane, natural gas, cord wood or pellet stoves or electric heat options. There is no magic bullet that works best - each fuel source has pros and cons. How much work will I have to do to heat my home this way and do I need to be aware of any health concerns from using heating appliances?

Renewables like solar, geothermal are expensive investments up front but have very low costs in the long term. You may find some state financial incentives for thermal and photovoltaic solar applications in your home at: http://www.efficiencymaine.com/renewable_programs_solar.htm .

Which system is right for my family?

Consider applicance efficiency ; how completely the fuel burns and how much pollution is emitted should be factors you consider when purchasing new heating systems to minimize your long term costs. With the Governor's encouragement to increase Maine's biofuel usage and the last summers high oil costs, a lot of Mainer's have been turning to wood fuel choices that in certain situations poses some concerns for air quality and health.

When it comes to fuel that needs to be combusted, propane or natural gas seems to be the cleanest burning option producing far fewer pollutants. Electricity is expensive but any air pollution is generated and controlled at the generating station. Compare the costs of the various home heating fuel options online at: http://www.maine.gov/dep/air/woodsmoke/documents/heatcalculatorME.xls and

http://www.umext.maine.edu/onlinepubs/htmpubs/7216.htm .

If I have some money to invest in a wood heating system, what are my cleaner burning choices in Maine ?

EPA Certified indoor wood stoves are a great way to supplement the core heating system in your home and reduce your dependence on fossil fuels. You can find a list of certified wood stoves online at: http://www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/publications/monitoring/caa/woodstoves/certifiedwood.pdf .

You can find much useful information on heating with wood at: http://www.umext.maine.edu/energy/wood.htm .

Is this true that wood smoke can cause asthma and even lung cancer and how can I heat my home without affecting my family's health and the health of my neighbors and community?

Wood smoke like any smoke from burning fuels does contain some harmful chemical substances such as: carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), dioxin, and inhalable particles. Some of these pollutants are irritating to human airways, toxic, and/or cancer causing.

One of the biggest concerns for human health from wood smoke, both indoors and outdoors, comes from the higher levels of particle pollution in wood smoke. Particle pollution is emitted from the combustion of any fuel. Particle pollution from wood burning is composed of wood tars, soot, and ashes, some of which are harmful or toxic.

Medical studies have shown that higher particle pollution levels from wood smoke result in more visits to the hospital with respiratory complaints. Pediatricians have documented that children in homes heated by wood have more upper and lower respiratory complaints and illnesses than children in homes heated by other sources of fuel.

So, if your family or neighbors have any sensitive individuals with respiratory or heart disease issues, this fuel choice might not be right for you. If wood is your fuel of choice, seek out information on units that produce the lowest amount of pollution and use air filtration units to keep dust levels down in your home.

Our advice: go renewable wherever you can! Where you can't do that, then look for the cleanest, most efficient systems on the market to protect your health. Take an wholistic look at how your family uses energy by figuring out your Carbon Footprint online at: http://www.carbonfreehomes.org/ .

 

 

 

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