Installing a programmable thermostat controls the temperature in your home while you’re away so the heating and cooling system will use less energy. While this can save up to 15% a year on utility bills, the actual amount will vary depending on how it is set and the amount of time the house is vacant each day. If you have a heat pump, use one of the newer hybrid thermostats that are designed to work with these systems.

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To reduce the air conditioning bills in your home:

• Install a tinted film on the inside of your windows to reduce the amount of heat coming in your house by over 60% and prevent harmful UV rays from damaging fabrics and furnishings.
• Add awnings to sunny windows to reduce the temperature of a room by up to 15 degrees and save 25% on the air conditioning for that room.
• Plant shade trees that shed their leaves in winter on the sunny (south and west) sides of your house.

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I would like some advice on preparing my apartment for the winter. I’m a college student, so I’m on a tight budget, but I really want to save money and be more green this winter. Any advice for simple, inexpensive ways to winterize an apartment? -Jac

Hi Jac,

Since you don’t own your residence, your options for energy reduction are limited to ones that won’t require making physical changes to your apartment. However, there are still a number of ways you can save energy:

• Thermostat: Top of the list is to turn the thermostat down when you go out or are asleep and keep it at 68° F or lower when you’re home and awake.
• Lighting: Replacing the existing light bulbs with CFLs is another good way to save that will pay for itself in a matter of months. Hang onto the old bulbs so you can put them back and take the CFLs with you if you move.
• Hot Water: If your apartment has an individual hot water tank, turn the thermostat down to 120° F (low) to reduce the cost of heating water.
• Reduce Drafts: Check the weather stripping under and around your doors and windows to see if it’s sealing properly and ask to have it replaced if it isn’t, or make “draft snakes” to put under doors and on window sills.
• Low-Tech Solar Heating: Close your curtains or blinds on windows and glass doors at night and when they are in the shade, and open them when the sun is shining on them to help the sun heat your home.

Good luck with your project,

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Using a thermographic camera is a great way to find air leaks and insulation gaps when conducting an energy audit on your home. The camera works by detecting infrared heat radiation and converting it to a color display with blue for colder objects and red for warmer. Watch this video to find out more.

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How can I fix the pull chain on my ceiling fan that broke off inside the switch? -Brad

Hi Brad,

With most pull chain fan switches, you’ll need to replace the switch, though on some models you may be able to reattach the chain. To replace the switch, you will need to know whether it operates the fan or light. If the switch goes to the fan, you will need to know how many speeds the fan has. Here’s how to go about it:

• Start by turning off the circuit breaker to the fan.
• Next, remove the cover on the fan housing or the globe light so you can access the switch, and unscrew the nut on the outside of the switch that holds it on.
• Pull the switch out of the housing from the inside, leaving the wires attached.
• Examine the switch to see if the chain can be reattached.
• If not, carefully note the colors of the wires and the terminal each attaches to (take a picture with a digital camera or cell phone or draw a diagram of the switch).
• Detach the wires and take the switch—along with the model and make of the fan—with you to the home center for a replacement. Be sure to match the number of speeds, switch size, and wattage.
• To install the new switch if the wires attach directly to the terminals, bend each wire around the corresponding terminal in a clockwise direction, and tighten up the screws.
• If the switch has wires that attach using twist-on connectors (commonly called wire nuts), strip 1/2” to 3/4” of insulation from each wire, wrap them together in a clockwise direction, and twist the connector on in a clockwise direction so it is secure and the bare wire is covered.
• Insert the switch in the hole in the fan housing from the inside and thread the nut on the outside.
• Attach the housing cover or the globe light.
• Turn the breaker back on, and test the switch to see if it works.

Good luck with your project,

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Low-E glass, such as can be found on JELD-WEN Windows and Doors, has many advantages:

• The Low-E coating reflects heat back to its source so it helps your home stay cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.
• The coating won’t scratch off because it is applied to the inside of the glass.
• It help protects against UV fading of any near by furniture.
• It requires no special cleaning.

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Is it a good idea to install a TV over a fireplace? -Herb

Hi Herb,

Mounting a flat screen TV over the fireplace has become quite popular, but there are several potential problems to consider first:

• Heat: Depending on the type and design of the fireplace, it may generate more heat than the TV is designed to handle. To find out, attach a thermometer to the wall above the fireplace while a fire is burning. Temperatures over 100° F are considered too high for most sets. Check the specifications in the operating manual that came with the TV to find the maximum temperature for your set.
• Smoke: A wood burning fireplace can also emit smoke, ash, soot, and other particulate matter into the room. Since hot air rises, these contaminants will be drawn directly into your TV where they can build up and cause problems over time.
• Wiring: If the wall above the fireplace wasn’t wired for a TV, electrical and transmission wires will need to be run first. This can be especially difficult if the wall is brick. In addition, cables for accessories, such as a DVD player or home theater system, will need to be included as well.
• Viewing: Flat screen TVs are made to be viewed at eye level. When mounted higher, the screen may need to be angled downward for optimal viewing. Also, consider whether looking up at the TV for long periods of time will be comfortable.
• Anchoring: When attaching a TV to a wall, make sure it is properly anchored. This is particularly true when mounting a TV on a brick wall, which will require drilling holes with a masonry bit for plastic or lead anchors.

Good luck with your project,

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With the rising cost of gas and electricity, finding ways to cut back on your energy consumption is more important than ever. To help you cope, we’re taking a look at four great ways to make your home more energy efficient that are also eligible for the Federal Energy Efficiency Tax Credit by upgrading your heating and cooling system, water heater, windows, and attic insulation.

Home Energy Audit

Blower door test.

One of the best ways to find out how to reduce the amount of energy you use is by having an energy audit conducted on your home. Your local utility provider will often conduct the audit at no cost, or you can hire a private company.

Tests conducted include installing a blower in an exterior door to create negative air pressure inside the house. A smoke pencil and infrared photography are then used to identify areas of air movement and infiltration. Similar tests on the heating and cooling system are used to detect air leaks in the ductwork, which on average account for a 25% to 40% loss in conditioned air in your home.

Once the tests have identified problem areas in walls, around windows and doors, in the attic, and in the heating and cooling system, steps are then taken to seal up any cracks or gaps to make the house tighter and more energy efficient.

Heating & Cooling

In addition to sealing up ductwork, consider replacing an older HVAC unit with a newer, more energy efficient model that has a higher Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER).

Danny discusses water heaters with actor and environmentalist Ed Begley, Jr.

Water Heaters

Heating water accounts for approximately 13% of the total energy usage in a home. Replacing an inefficient hot water heater with a new high efficiency model can save up to $300 a year on your utility bills. Energy efficient models include:

• Solar water heaters
• Heat pump water heaters
• Tankless water heaters
• High efficiency tank water heaters like the Vertex from A. O. Smith.

Windows Replacement

Up to 50% of the heating and cooling loss in older, existing homes is due to heat loss and gain through the glass in single pane windows and air infiltration in the weather stripping around the sash. While you can replace the entire window unit, JELD-WEN Windows and Doors also offers sash packs that retain the existing window frame while replacing just the sash and balance tracks on each side. The new sash have double pane glass with a low-E coating—to make them very energy efficient—set in a low maintenance, vinyl covered frame.

Insulation

Adding more insulation to your attic is one of the best and most economical ways to increase the energy efficiency of your home and reduce utility bills. A common, inexpensive solution is to install batts or blow in fiberglass or cellulose insulation on top of the existing insulation in your attic. Another option that is gaining in popularity, is to spray expanding foam insulation between the rafters and wall studs.

Spaying foam between the rafters prevents heat from entering your attic and allows your HVAC system to perform more efficiently. While more expensive than traditional insulation, foam has a higher insulation R-value and seal out air infiltration better than fiberglass or cellulose.

Other Tips from This Episode

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My ceiling fan vibrates and wobbles when turned on high speed. How can I fix it?
-Bill

Hi Bill,

There are several possible problems that could cause your paddle fan to wobble or vibrate, some of which could pose serious safety concerns if not fixed. Potential problems include:

• Loose screws where the fan attaches to the electrical box at the ceiling.
• Electrical ceiling box isn’t properly secured and reinforced.
• Screws holding blades to mounting brackets are loose.
• Screws holding mounting brackets to fan motor need tightening.
• Fan blades are out of alignment.
• Fan blades are warped.
• Fan blades are out of balance

Start by turning the fan off at the breaker and checking to see if it’s securely attached to the ceiling. If the fan feels loose, tighten the screws at the ceiling that support it, and see if the ceiling box itself is securely attached or needs reinforcement.

Next, make sure the screws that attach the blades to the blade mounts and the mounts to the fan motor are tight. If the fan still wobbles, check the blade alignment by holding a tape measure or yardstick against the ceiling even with the end of the blade, and rotating the fan by hand to see if each blade measures the same. If one of the blades is off, you may be able to slightly bend the metal blade mount to align it, but don’t apply too much pressure or the metal can crack or break.

If the fan still doesn’t run smoothly, the blades are either warped and need to be replaced, or they are out of balance. To balance the blades, attach a small weight—such as a coin or washer—to the top of a blade with tape, then turn the fan on to see if it reduces the wobble. If not, take the weight off, move it to another blade, and try again. Fine-tuning can be accomplished by varying the weight, or by moving the weight in or out on the blade. For the less adventurous do-it-yourselfer, balancing kits—which include weights, a test clip, and detailed instructions—are available at home centers.

Good luck with your project,

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As we move into the halfway mark of Energy Efficiency Month, I am celebrating on October 15th by being part of a panel discussion in Washington, DC, for the conservation of energy and the solutions to attaining this global goal.

Asked to join the panel to give insight for reducing energy use by homeowners, I will be sharing my thoughts and suggestions on different products and techniques available for new construction builders as well as for homeowners thinking of ways to bring their energy bills down.

While there, I will also tour the U.S Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon Homes that have been erected in the Mall. The Solar Decathlon is made up of 20 college and university teams in a competition to design, build, and operate the most attractive and energy-efficient solar-powered house. To see what these students are up to, go to www.solardecathlon.org.

This is an exciting time to be mindful of the popular adage: Our greatest source of immediate energy can be provided through conservation.

Here are some popular and quick fixes for your home:

• Caulk those doors and windows.
• Turn off the lights if you’re leaving the room.
• Plug all your TV components into a power strip and turn the strip off before going to bed.
• Install a ceiling fan to help air flow in your room so you can turn down the thermostat in the winter and up in the summer.
• When using smaller pots and pans, use the smaller burners on your stove.
• Install insulation pads behind all your light switches and wall receptacles.
• Check your attic and floor insulation to make sure it is in good condition and hasn’t begun sagging or is crushed with things stored on top of it.

If we can all do just a few simple things, the dividends to the planet and your pocketbook can really add up!

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