GREEN is a term now widely used to describe buildings designed and constructed with

Lower the Thermostat:   

Each degree you lower the thermostat on your heating system decreases your fuel bill

by 3 percent. Going from 72 degrees down to 68 degrees doesn't matter much in terms

of comfort, but it can save up to 12 percent on your heating bill.

If you're using a coil-type thermostat, you'll get more accurate readings if you clean it.

 

Pop off the thermostat cover and blow or gently swipe away the dust.

 

                                                                FOR HEAT                                 
  6 a.m. to 9 a.m. = 68 degrees
  9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. = 60 degrees
  5:30 to 11 p.m. = 68 degrees
  11 p.m. to 6 a.m. = 60 degrees

  FOR AIR CONDITIONING
  6 a.m. to 9 a.m. = 75 degrees
  9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. = 80 degrees
  5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. = 75 degrees
  11 p.m. to 6 a.m. = 80 degrees

 

Ceiling Fans:

Ceiling fans are everywhere in warm-weather climates. Spinning counterclockwise,

they move air around the room. Not all energy experts feel it's a good idea to use them

in the heating season (doubters says they cool the air too much), but the fans do help

bring heated air down to earth in rooms with cathedral or high-sloped ceilings. However, that's only if you slide the reversing switch on the side of the motor housing to the

winter (clockwise) position. Then run the fan at its lowest speed. If you can't reverse

the blade rotation or if you think the fan is cooling off the room too much, leave it off.

 

 

Windows:

Energy-efficient windows incorporating advanced technologies like low-emittance

(low-E) glass coatings, gas filler between layers, and composite framing materials keep

heat inside in the winter and outside in the summer.

 

Heat lost or gain through windows accounts for 10 to 25 percent of your overall heating

bill. Window film can be retrofitted to existing windows to reduce heat gain due to

solar radiation and provide a low-cost cooling load reduction. Window film are thin layers of polyester, metallic coatings, and adhesives that save energy

by limiting both the amount of solar radiation

passing through the windows and the amount

of internal heat escaping through windows. They

can be applied directly to the interior surfaces of

all types of glass and generally last 7 to 12 years.

Typically, in the heating season, more heat escapes from most windows than comes in from the sun

(on a 24-hour basis); the extent depends on the

local climate and the R-value of the window.

Window films can help reduce this costly heat loss

by reflecting indoor radiant heat back into the room.

 

In the cooling season, even when drapes and blinds are closed, much of the sun’s heat passes through the glass into the room. Window films address this problem by reducing solar heat gain at the window. In short, window films save energy by reducing radiation and other forms of heat transfer through windows, by allowing better balance in heating and cooling systems and by providing opportunities for HVAC downsizing.

 

 

There are several economic considerations in regard to window film installations. For old,   

 drafty, single-pane windows, complete 

 window replacement is another option.

 Although this option is more expensive

 than window film installation, it may be

 more appropriate depending on your

 window condition. It may be most cost 

 effective to install window films only on

 the south and west sides of the building.

 Window films typically cost between $1.35

 and $3 per square foot, installed.

Selecting more efficient, correctly sized heating, cooling and

water heating equipment saves money.

Tank less water heaters provide hot water on demand at a

preset temperature rather than storing it, which reduces or eliminates standby losses.

Geothermal heat pumps work with the Earth’s renewable

energy and can also heat water.

Automobile:

Your fuel costs. Pollution. Our country's dependence on foreign oil. The vehicle you choose to drive and how you drive it affect all of these issues. To minimize these effects, please look at these ways to improve your vehicle's fuel efficiency.

Drive sensibly. Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and braking) wastes gasoline.

• Consider buying a highly fuel-efficient vehicle. A fuel-efficient vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, or an alternative fuel vehicle could save you a lot at the gas pump and help the environment. See the Fuel Economy Guide for more on buying a new fuel-efficient car or truck.
• Combine errands into one trip. Several short trips, each one taken from a cold start, can use twice as much fuel as one trip covering the same distance when the engine is warm.
• Replace clogged air filters to improve gas mileage by as much as 10% and protect your engine.
• Get regular engine tune-ups and car maintenance checks to avoid fuel economy problems due to worn spark plugs, dragging brakes, low transmission fluid, or transmission problems.
• Keep tires properly inflated and aligned to improve your gasoline mileage by around 3.3%.
• Use the grade of motor oil recommended by your car's manufacturer. Using a different motor oil can lower your gasoline mileage by 1%-2%.
• Check into telecommuting, carpooling and public transit to cut mileage and car maintenance costs.
• Reduce drag by placing items inside the car or trunk rather than on roof racks. A roof rack or carrier provides additional cargo space and may allow you to buy a smaller car. However, a loaded roof rack can decrease your fuel economy by 5%.
• Clear out your car; extra weight decreases gas mileage. Use air conditioning only when necessary.
• Using cruise control on the highway helps you maintain a constant speed and, in most cases, will save gas.
• When you use overdrive gearing, your car's engine speed goes down. This saves gas and reduces wear.
• Avoid high speeds. Above 60 mph, gas mileage drops rapidly. The http://fueleconomy.gov/  Web site shows how driving speed affects gas mileage.
• Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration, and hard braking) wastes gas. It can lower your highway gas mileage 33% and city mileage 5%.
• Idling gets you 0 miles per gallon. The best way to warm up a vehicle is to drive it. No more than 30 seconds of idling on winter days is needed. Anything more simply wastes fuel and increases emissions.

For a full in-depth report on the Energy Efficiency of your Home or Office

Contact your local Certified Green Irene Consultant.

 

 

Independent Eco Consultant for Sacramento, CA.

Phone: 916-709-4935

www.GreenIrene.com/fayrocklin

I welcome you to contact me for more information about a Green Home Makeover, Green Office Makeover or hosting a GO GREEN Workshop. I also have some "green" fundraising products for your favorite non-profit organization. Rely on me to help you and your family along the path to a healthier, greener life.

Contact me to discuss becoming an Eco-Consultant in your community or sign up thru this link if we have already spoken about Green Irene.

If you have trouble reaching me through the contact information above, you can call Green Irene HQ at (888) 212-4733 ext. 1.

 Green Irene and "Greening Our World One Home at a Time" are Trademarks of Green Irene LLC. Copyright 2008. All Rights Reserved.