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• WHERE DO I BEGIN IN RETROFITTING MY HOME?

  The best place to start is with a professional energy assessment.  There are numerous DIY checklists that exist, but it’s best to take advantage of all the diagnostic tools energy auditors have like infrared thermal scanners, duct blaster & blower door tests.  Since every home is unique it is important to find out what is specifically going on in your house to create a customized approach and plan.  In addition, having a benchmark to your homes efficiency level will be useful in assessing how much energy savings you have after the retrofit!

   

  The cheapest form of energy is conservation, so I think insulation and air sealing is typically one of the most important fundamental components of retrofitting.

   

  Beyond the conservation of energy though, houses do need it so focusing on the consumption and creation of energy within your house is also vital.  Ultimately making good choices and using energy smart appliances will limit your consumption.  People use energy, not our homes, so also focusing on your plug loads is equally important when looking at the house as a whole.  If you know how much demand your household needs then you start figuring out how to supplement that demand for electricity.

   

  There are quite a lot of things that consume a good amount of energy and if you aren’t aware of these you can try to make your home as energy efficient as you want, but you might still be scratching your head as to why you are using so much electricity.  There are plug load monitors you can use which will let you know how much energy your devices use so you’ll know which ones need to be unplugged.  Some of the top energy consuming devices people might not think about are aquariums, color copiers, dehumidifiers and numerous gaming devices such as Sony PlayStation and Xbox 360.

   

  Solar & Wind should be considered for a long term sustainable way to create energy.  Solar panels and residential wind turbines are becoming more affordable with some break even points in 6-7 years instead of 12-15 like a few years ago.  If you are planning on being in your house for a long time, your energy could be free after a short period of time.  If you aren’t, the added value you will get from marketing a home with renewable energy could reimburse the installation cost as well.

• WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS IN RETROFITTING?

  Beyond the basics of green building benefits in helping the environment, improving your indoor air quality and being energy efficient, you can save money on energy as well as free yourself of being dependent on the electrical grid.

   

  A huge benefit is an increase in the comfort and livability of the home.  Some people never thought that cold spot in their home would go away!

   

  You will also see an increase in the appreciation of your home and market value compared to other homes not retrofitted and you will have lower times on the market when for sale.

• CHECKLIST ITEMS FOR RETROFITTING

  There are numerous things people can do to retrofit their home.  But a great place to start with low costs projects if you haven’t done already is to replace all your traditional bulbs with CFLs or LEDs.  Lighting represents almost 10% of consumption so switching to energy start bulbs is critical. Small things can make a big difference and replacing energy wasting lighting is easy and affordable. Seattle City Lights offers discounts on CFL bulbs as well as lighting fixtures.  If Puget Sound Energy is your electrical provider they will come and replace up to 50 of them for you through their HomePrint Assessment program.

   

  Ventilation – Ventilation includes both the exchange of air to the outside as well as circulation of air within a building. If a whole house fan isn’t an option, one way to achieve air exchanges in an existing home would be to use a Panasonic Whisper Light Fan in your bath, garage and laundry rooms.  These are very quiet and can be set on a timer for convenience.

   

  Insulation – The better insulated your home is, the less money you’ll spend on heating. You want to take care of your housing envelope and insulate when you have the opportunity. This is great to think about when replacing the roof, having sheet rock removed, siding replaced, or plumbing and electrical updates.

   

  Material Use – Salvaging and reusing materials during your retrofitting project is a very effective. If salvaging is not possible, look into incorporating locally produced or sustainable materials. Keep in mind low VOC paints and finishes as well as materials that don’t have formaldehyde or toxins in them for healthy indoor air.

   

  Renewable Energy – For a long term sustainable energy source alternative power should be considered.  Solar panels and residential wind turbines are becoming more affordable with some break even points in 6-7 years now instead of 12-15 like a few years ago. If you are planning on being in your house for long, your energy could be free after a short period of time.

   

  Plug Loads – We use plug loads every day, and they represent a large amount of our energy consumption.  Plug Load Monitors are available for you to see how much energy your devices use and which need to be unplugged. You’d be surprised! Some manufacturers offer smart appliances which can be connected to smart electric meters to shift your electric use to off-peak hours. At the very least using energy star appliances helps you save money and reduce your energy usage,thus reducing your carbon footprint.

   

  Seal Air Drafts – Heat escapes through unsealed windows, outlets, ducting, doorways and more.  Air sealing is one of the most inexpensive retrofits that can net you great energy savings.

   

  Upgrade or Weatherize Windows & Doors – Older homes can benefit with a window and door upgrade.

   

  Tune up your HVAC Systems – Having regular tune-ups of your HVAC system, as well as cleaning your filters monthly, can save you money and keep them running at optimal levels. If upgrading your furnace chose a AFUE rating of at least 92%.

   

  Upgrade your Skylights – Heat rises, and if your skylight is inefficient it can let a lot of warmth escape.

   

  Install a Programmable Thermostat – Programming a thermostat to your schedule can help you save lots.

   

  Decrease Water Usage – Install WaterSense low flow toilets, shower-heads & faucet aerators.

   

  Plant Trees – Planting trees to provide shade in the summer and protect from wind in the winter helps keep energy costs down.

   

  Low Impact Development- It is important to have low impact development. As communities grow, so does the amount of surface area covered by roads, roofs, and parking lots. Low impact development is a sustainable storm water practice that helps manage runoff.

  Examples of L.I.D are:

  -  Rain Barrels catch rainwater for irrigation use.

  -  Rain Gardens and Bio swales which collects storm water runoff from roofs,

  driveways and other impervious surfaces.

  -  Veggie Roof Tops absorb rain water and reduce energy costs.

  -  Permeable Pavement like roads, parking lots, driveways, sidewalks allow

  rainwater to seep through which prevents soil erosion. These are black pavers,

  porous asphalt or concrete and grid systems

Phone: (206) 508-1250

Email: info@rhinoroz.com