Overview

Home energy costs continue to rise, but there are many simple, do-it-yourself ways to cut home energy expenses. You can help friends, family and neighbors conserve energy and, as an added bonus, save money on energy bills. All it's going to take is a simple checklist of handy tips proven to reduce energy costs.

The Problem

A lot of people just don’t know that there are simple things to do around the house to cut down on energy use and, as a result, conserve resources and save money.

The Solution

Help others save energy – and money! Using our checklist, do a quick walk-through of your friends’ or neighbors’ homes to spot easy tasks that will conserve energy and save money. In many cases, you and the resident can knock out the tasks in minutes during your visit.

Time Commitment

It varies, depending on the size of the home. Count on spending an hour or two for a typical walk-through.

Reducing the water heater temperature by 20 degrees can save nearly $50 a year.

Special Considerations

This is pretty easy. No special skills required.

Who can do this?

Anyone!

Great Reasons to do this Project

It’s easy, and every little bit helps. You'll be doing good for the environment and your friends’ and family members’ wallets.

The Basic Steps

Step 1: Schedule a Home Visit

Start with your own home to help you get familiar with the process. Then, call a neighbor or friend who you think could benefit from an energy makeover. Ask if you can drop by and walk through with a checklist to help save them money on energy costs. If they say no, don’t push it: Just offer to give them a copy of the Walk-Through Checklist.

Step 2: Gather Supplies

What you need for the walk-through

Bring these items with you on your walk-through:

• Pen
• Paper
• Your Walk-Through Checklist
• Copies of the Tip Sheet: Operation Energy Save to leave behind

These are materials you and/or your homeowner may need for easy energy-saving solutions. You can determine your needs during your walk-through:

• A rag to dust the heater and A/C vents
• Replacement ENERGY STAR–qualified compact fluorescent light bulbs
• Expanding foam to seal gaps in pipes
• Weather stripping or caulk
• Non-hardening sealant to seal ducts

Some tasks you identify may require a professional. Never try to do a task unless you are sure you have the skills and tools to do it properly and safely.

Step 3: Conduct the Walk-Through

Use the Walk-Through Checklist in this guide to identify areas where your friend or neighbor could improve energy efficiency. Remember to be sensitive in any comments you make regarding the condition of the home.

Step 4: Leave the Energy Saving Tips and Weatherization Flyer

Leave behind a copy of the “Tip Sheet: Operation Energy Save." This tip sheet provides day-to-day ideas for home owners to use to save more money. Also, leave behind the CreateTheGood.org Energy Save flyer (createthegood.org/CTG_Energy_Save_Weatherization.pdf [1]) describing the weatherization and LIHEAP program. Review both with the homeowner and offer to help them follow up.

Step 5: Consider Organizing a Group

If you’ve had success with your energy-efficiency home visits, you could recruit others to perform the same service for their friends and neighbors. You can use this guide to help, along with the Nuts and Bolts guide for project organizers (createthegood.org/toolkit/nuts-bolts-project-organizers?how-to-toolkit=1 [2]) for tips on organizing a group effort.

Step 6: Inspire Others on createthegood.org

TELL US WHAT YOU DID!

We want to hear stories (www.CreateTheGood.org/stories [3]) about how you helped give back to your community. You just might inspire others to do the same.

KEEP UP THE GOOD!

Remember, whether you’ve got five minutes, five hours or five days, you can make a positive impact in your community. And if you have more time, consider organizing another service activity, finding local opportunities and posting your events at www.CreateTheGood.org [4].

Walk-Through Checklist

Use this checklist to help identify ways to save energy – and money!

Year round

• Replace light bulbs with an ENERGY STAR–qualified compact fluorescent light bulbs. They use 75% less energy and last about 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs. For tips on how to buy and how to properly dispose of CFL bulbs, visit www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=cfls.pr_cfls [5].

• Lower the temperature on the water heater to 120 degrees. Reducing the temperature by 20 degrees can save nearly $50 a year.

• Use expanding foam (available in spray cans) to seal the gaps around pipes that connect to the house from the outside.

• Install weather stripping or caulk around doors and windows.

• Place foam gaskets behind outlet plate covers on exterior walls.

• Install a door sweep if there’s a large gap at the bottom of an exterior door.*

For winter preparation

• Close and lock all windows, and close the heat vents and the doors in rooms that aren’t being used.

• Shut fireplace dampers to prevent heated air from going up the chimney when not in use. Be sure all embers are out.

• Clean registers, baseboard heaters and radiators. Be sure that they’re not blocked by curtains, furniture or carpeting.

• Replace or clean furnace air filters. A clogged, dirty filter forces your furnace to work harder. A clean filter can save you 10% on your bill.*

• Remove window air conditioning units at summer’s end to prevent heat from escaping. If the unit can’t be moved, seal gaps and cover it to prevent drafts.

• Seal and insulate ducts and joints with a non-hardening sealant. Ducts running through unfinished spaces (attics, crawl spaces and garages) that aren’t properly sealed and insulated can add 25% to your home’s heating bill.*

For summer preparation

• Replace air conditioner filters:Dirty filters restrict airflow and can cause the system to run longer, increasing energy use. Replace filters monthly for maximum benefit.

• Close drapes during the heat of the afternoon.

• Install white window shades to reflect heat away from the house.

• Plant trees to shade the home from the sun.

* Professional assistance may be required to perform this task.

Tip Sheet: Operation Energy Save

Here are some simple and proven tips to help lower home energy bills.

1. Follow the 10-10 Rule. Lowering the thermostat in the winter by 10 percent (for instance, from 74° to 67°) for 8 hours can shave 10 percent off your heating bill. Many people do this at night and use extra blankets when sleeping.
2. Run the washing machine and dishwasher only with a full load. Use the cold water setting when possible. And clean the clothes dryer’s lint filter after every load.
3. Keep the lights off in unoccupied rooms.
4. Turn off kitchen and bathroom ventilating fans when not needed. If left on for an hour, they can suck all the heat out of the house.
5. During the winter, open drapes, blinds, or shades on windows facing the sun to warm rooms. At night, cover the windows for better insulation. Also keep the windows clean so they can let in the maximum amount of light and heat.
6. Make sure furniture is not blocking a heat register. To feel warmer, move furniture away from cold exterior walls and windows.
7. Turn off appliances, lights and equipment when not in use.
8. Unplug or recycle that spare refrigerator in the garage if it isn’t really needed. This could save up to $150 per year!
9. Unplug chargers: Cell phone chargers, camera chargers, battery chargers or power adapters, etc., are drawing some amount of energy even when not in use (and even when not connected to an end-use product). For more information on these “energy vampires” visit www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=about.vampires [6].

Other pointers:

• Contact your local utility company to ask about a home energy audit. Costs vary, but some companies offer free audits.
• Call your local department of social services to ask if they can help with home energy expenses.

Additional Resources

CreateTheGood.org Energy Save flyer (http://createthegood.org/CTG_Energy_Save_Weatherization.pdf [1]) provides information on the Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program and contains a link to find out who is eligible for this program.

Home Energy Saver (http://hes.lbl.gov/ [7]) is the first web-based do-it-yourself energy audit tool.

ENERGY STAR (www.energystar.gov/ [8]) is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy helping you to save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices.

Energy Savers (www1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/tips/index.html [9]) provides tips for saving energy and money at home and on the road. Also check out information on energy efficient tax credits, rebates and financing. (U.S. Department of Energy)

Energy Saving & Green Living (www.consumerreports.org/cro/home-garden/resource-center/energy-saving-guide/energy-saving-guide.htm [10]) is a warehouse of information on products and projects that help you save money and energy. (Consumer Reports)

Easier Home Maintenance This Fall (www.aarp.org/home-garden/home-improvement/info-09-2010/best_bargains_in_fall_home_maintenance.html [11]) is an article that has tips for fixing, cleaning and tightening things up to prevent winter damage and save money, too.

Get Help Paying for Home Energy Upgrades (www.aarp.org/money/budgeting-saving/info-08-2010/tax-credits-for-energy-saving-upgrades.html [12]) describes tax credits and utility rebates that can lower the cost of replacement windows, new furnaces and more.