Daily Home Renovation Tips

Our local utility announced that they are running a contest for all homes in the region based on total electricity reduction.

The contest is based on comparing total electricity usage from May 1st to August 31st this year to last year. There is one level of possible ‘prizes’ for those who show a reduction in electrical usage. There is a second level of possible prizes to be awarded to those homes who achieve 10% or greater electricity reduction.

This is a great idea. It can be something the entire family can become involved in, and a way to make even the youngest of family members feel that they are contributing. It is a great opportunity to teach children on energy conservation and get them into the habit of turning the lights off in their rooms when they are not there, etc.

If your local utility does not have such a program, call them to ask why? And, better yes, start one for your own home. You can even have prizes for the kids if your home reach certain energy reduction milestones. Yes, you can even factor in the difference in this vs last summer temperatures to make it fair.

We thought that it would be interesting to itemize those items that we have introduced into our own home in the past year that will positively impact reduced electricity use in our own home. Which of these can you honestly say you have as well?

We will not list having a home energy audit as this provides information, data, and so on. A home energy audit by itself will not reduce a home’s energy consumption; the home owner actually has to take action.

We will list any action related to reducing air leakage in our home as reduced air leakage means reduction in cooled air leaving the house and hot outside air entering the house causing the air conditioner to work more often and longer.

OK, here is the list of electricity reduction actions we have taken in the past year in approximate order of what we think will be the greatest electricity reduction:

1. exterior solar blinds
2. CFL lights
3. ENERGY STAR windows
4. replacement front door
5. solar charged lawn mower
6. retractable screen doors
7. bathroom (spring based) fan timers
8. attic insulation
9. weather stripping
10. wind turbine attic vent
11. basement vent cover covers

We did not include in the new air conditioner which replaced the 20 year old one that came with the house because we purchased this in early summer so there likely will be no positive impact year over year.

We also did not include the new programmable thermostat that was installed in the early summer for the same reason.

As well, during the major renovation last summer, there were many weeks when the air conditioner was not even on during June and July. Therefore it would not surprise me if our house actually consumed more, not less electricity this summer vs last summer.

The attic insulation is down the list of impact because we had this done in late summer, so it’s impact during the May to August comparative period will be minor.

So, is it hot enough for you yet? What have you done in the past year, or even in the past few weeks, to reduce your electricity consumption? What would your number one electricity conservation action so far in 2008?

Take action now. You have the entire summer ahead of you.

We will report back in the fall on how we did in our local utility’s electricity reduction contest. Who knows? We may even have reduced enough electricity usage to win the solar water heater prize that is available! Now, wouldn’t that be nice!