(example: Air Conditioner, Energy Savings, etc.)
ENERGY ACADEMY
Holistic Approach to Home Energy Performance
By: A Hybrid Home | No Comments
The holistic approach to medicine is looking at the whole body as how it works as a system. It is analyzing the physical, nutritional, environmental, emotional, social, spiritual and lifestyle parts interlinking as to how they affect each other. It is getting the different specialists to talk together to come up with the best diagnosis for care. Historically, treating the problems in a house, has not taken on a holistic approach- even though it would seem the smartest solution. Changing an air conditioner for some, would mean asking what size unit was installed previously, instead of taking into account any deficiencies that might exist, or energy upgrades- like added insulation or new windows- that could change the heat load of the building.
Home Performance with Energy Star takes a holistic approach- a “whole-house” approach, to finding out the best solution to tackling ones energy consumption, and gaining better air quality inside the home. Changing out windows, air conditioners and adding insulation fixes part of the problem, but looking at the whole system yields comprehensive improvements that will yield the best results.
This not just looks at how much energy is being consumed and how to decrease it, but, for example, can ask if the occupants have allergies or asthma- and finds a way to reduce the irritants in the house. When people are spending 90% of time indoors now, and indoor air quality can be 4-5 times more polluted than outdoor air, that person dealing with asthma or allergies shouldn’t have to increase medication just to live in the home!
Money is always an issue as well, so it is wise to go with the holistic approach so you are guaranteed to know that your investment is going towards the best solution. It is not about treating the symptom; it is about fixing the root cause of the problem!
APS is currently offering a Home Performance with Energy Star Check Up- a complete Whole House system check- for $99. This also includes 10 CFL light bulbs, 3 water saving aerators and showerhead for the home, installed at the time of inspection. SRP is soon to join on board with a similar program.
If It Ain’t Broke… Replace It?
By: A Hybrid Home | No Comments
Think back 10 years- Y2K was a feared threat, iPod’s were still one year away from existence, internet was still dial-up, high definition television sets were 4 feet by 3 feet and weighed more than your teenager and minimum SEER 13 legislation was set in place to replace the SEER 10 legislation that was set in place since 1987!
So, why go from a SEER 10 to a SEER 13 in the first place?The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) estimates that the incremental cost of a SEER 13 unit relative to SEER 10 unit is about $171. (Take into account this is a national figure- not our exaggerated use of air conditioning.) Central air conditioners last about 18 years- but as we know, technology, especially in the last 10 years, changes rapidly. Also, if your air conditioner was installed in 1991 or later, you probably have a SEER 8 or lower system!
The change from SEER 10 to SEER 13 represented a 30 percent improvement in energy efficiency. That coupled with duct sealing- which can increase your efficiency by 20% or more- and utility bills drop! EPA estimates up to a 40%- APS up to 60%- reduction in heating and cooling costs over the year with a new Energy Star unit. Replacing our air conditioner with proper installation typically pays for itself in less than 3.5 years. If prices for power go up (particularly in the summer) the consumer payback will be even quicker!
After a decade of SEER 13 standard, the government is backing these even more efficient Energy Star units, which are SEER 14 or higher. On these qualifying systems SRP and APS rebate customers $175-525, the government pays you back 30% up to $1,500 and Southwest Gas will give you $20 back for your new thermostat- a total of over $2,000 back on your purchase! In some cases, this is paying for almost half of the total installed price!
With these incentives, it is a great time to take advantage of getting a new unit with R-410A refrigerant, as the old R-22 -and the parts to replace them- is being phased out from the Clean Air Act. While you may be able to still nurse your old unit along, if your unit breaks after these incentives go away, it will be an over $2,000 decision.
So, that’s why we say, even if it ain’t broke… replace it!
http://content.yudu.com/Library/A1nvtd/June2010NORTHCENTRAL/resources/17.htm
