green technologies
The Energy Dilemma
How To Reduce Summer Energy Costs & Why It's Important
By Ashley Wright
In the hot and humid summer months, short of spending 24 hours a day in the pool or in the gulf, blasting the air conditioning to stay cool is one of the only ways to seemingly survive the heat and enjoy the peak season.But if you've got renters (who don't pay the electricity bills), you know they tend to leave doors and windows open to enjoy the sound of the waves crashing on the shore and, at the same time, turn down the thermostat as low as it will go—costing you a significant amount of money. But there is a solution, according to experts along the gulf coast who offered their "green" ideas on reducing these costs while still allowing your renters to enjoy the cool air conditioning and the sounds of the surf.
A condo owner himself, Jerry Peters, president of Coastal Green Air, has seen an increase in energy expense along the gulf coast this year and expects energy costs to increase even more in the near future. "Every energy provider is talking about increases; the cost for supplying energy on the rise," he said. "Even if costs weren't rising, why wouldn't a resort property owner want to save on their energy bill each month?"
In fact, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill that is predicted to raise electric bills—especially for states like Alabama and Mississippi that rely more heavily on coal to generate electricity—by discouraging use of burning of coal and other fossil fuels that produce greenhouse gases. And by 2020, it is predicted that the average household nationwide would see an additional $175 added in annual electric costs due to the bills cap and trade system, according to the Congressional Budget Office. Supporters say that gains in energy efficiency from other elements of the bill will offset the additional costs. The bill also calls for tougher energy-efficiency standards on buildings and appliances. The Senate had yet to act on the bill as of early July.
Cost-Cutting Solutions
Installing thermostats with motion sensors is one way owners can save money, Peters said. Coastal Green Air, for example, offers a thermostat system that consists of a motion-detector and a wireless door sensor—referred to as the "Temp$aver System."The thermostat has a built-in device that allows it to detect motion and subsequently operate as programmed. Once the system is installed by an HVAC professional, it controls your property's heating and cooling system's maximum and minimum settings. It also automatically shuts the heating and cooling unit down if outside doors are left open in excess of 90 seconds. Once the doors are closed, the unit begins functioning again, "saving the homeowner the cost of this energy that is typically lost when the doors or windows are left open by a renting guest," Peters said.
The first Temp$aver thermostat installed last August resulted in a one-month cost reduction in a 1,700-square-foot, four-bedroom, ground-floor condominium unit of 697 kilowatt hours and 1,290 kilowatt hours in a 3,600-square-foot, four-bedroom home. Both were occupied as often as or more than they were as compared to the same month the year before. "These examples are of just the energy savings," Peters said. "We cannot calculate the savings in maintenance—service calls for a frozen HVAC unit, accelerated depreciation of the HVAC unit, paint, wall coverings, furniture, appliances, blinds or drapes being damaged from blowing out the open door/window, mold and mildew, etc.
"Windows alone account for 10 to 25 percent of heating and cooling bills, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). If you can't replace your windows or decide not to, EPA officials suggest installing white window shades or blinds to reflect heat away from the house.
If your unit has a standard thermostat system, Sandra Sims, manager of public affairs for Gulf Power, had some suggestions. "I would keep the fan in the auto mode," she said, adding that doing so helps the unit stay dry even when the doors are opened and shut frequently. "A separate dehumidifier could also help." She also suggested installing a programmable thermostat that reverts to normal settings after renters change them. "Managing the settings to maintain 78 in summer and 68 in winter can help tremendously."
Gulf Power has launched a new energy efficiency initiative called EarthCents to help customers save money and energy—and to help protect the environment. The new programs include online and in-person energy "check ups" that tap into information from your recent power bills and your energy consumption habits.
In Baldwin County, Ala., Baldwin Electric Management Cooperative (EMC) offers a home energy survey, a home energy calculator and an appliance calculator. An online and a personalized home energy audit with one of EMC's energy marketing specialists can also be arranged.
Another energy-monitoring product, offered by Blue Line Innovations Inc., is the PowerCost Monitor. The monitor identifies which appliances are the most expensive to operate and demonstrates the effect of turning them on and off. The monitor gives homeowners an estimate of a 30-day energy consumption for their house in dollars and cents or in kilowatt hours based on current consumption, allowing owners to instantly see the money they'll save and the impact of their actions on energy consumption.
Another energy saving tip is to purchase Energy Star appliances. Household appliances account for 20 percent of a household's energy consumption, according to an EPA Best Practices report. While upgrading a kitchen with a new Energy Star refrigerator will save the most, Energy Star dishwashers, ovens, and clothes washers and dryers will also save.
Replacing regular light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs is another cost-savings option. An Energy Star-qualified compact fluorescent light bulb will save about $30 over its lifetime and pay for itself in about six months. It uses 75 percent less energy and lasts about 10 times longer than an incandescent bulb.
Going Green
• According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), levels of indoor air pollutants can be from two to more than 100 times higher than outdoor levels. So asking your cleaning crew to use "green" household cleaning products could mean more than just saving the earth. It could also present a health benefit for you and your renters. There are a number of kitchen items that can be combined to make some great replacements for cleaning products and detergents, but there are also a number of eco-friendly cleaning products on the market like Simple Green, which are made with 100 percent naturally derived ingredients and are non-toxic, biodegradable and Green Seal approved.• Ditch the grungy recycle bins of the past and try Simplehuman's bins on for size. They offer fingerprint-proof, dual-bucket systems for around $180 but also offer a multiple can system capability for $30 a piece. And, for the plastic grocery bag saver, the company offers a super-handy grocery bag holder for only $12.99.