The Heat Seeker Infrared Thermometer from General Tools is perfect way to conduct a do-it-yourself inspection of your heating/cooling system for leaks in the ductwork, or a general home energy audit. To use, simply train the laser pointer on the object and read the remote temperature reading on the LCD screen. The Heat Seeker is available at The Home Depot for less than $70.

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When installing fiberglass insulation in your home, be sure to put the paper or foil vapor barrier facing toward the heated and cooled living area of the home (down in attics, up under floors, in on walls) to prevent condensation from occurring.

If you are applying an additional layer of fiberglass insulation to your attic, use unfaced insulation on top of the existing insulation to keep from trapping moisture between the layers.

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To reduce heating and cooling costs, consider having foam insulation sprayed in the walls and between the rafters in the attic. This can reduce heating and cooling by as much as 70%. The added cost of foam insulation can be recouped by energy savings in three to five years in new construction.

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One of the best ways to save energy in your home is by caulking any cracks around windows and doors. While caulk alone can be applied to narrow cracks, gaps wider than ¼” should be filled with foam backer rod first.

These flexible foam tubes are available at building supply stores in several diameters. Simply push the rod into the gap with a putty knife or painter’s tool until it is just below the surface then caulk over it.

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I have 30-year-old insulated windows. A salesman told me that the seals are broken, and I am losing heat. To me the seals look fine and I speculate that broken seals should lead to condensation in the double panes. What is the best way to determine if the seals are leaking and windows need replacement?
-Deepak

Hi Deepak,
While condensation or discoloration inside the glass usually occurs when the seals are broken, there are other factors to consider that can affect the insulation performance of your windows even if the seals are intact, such as:

• The insulating qualities of the argon gas used between layers of glass diminishes over time as it slowly leaks out at a rate of about 1% per year, which can cause a reduction in the insulating value of windows.
• Newer windows can be ordered with Low-E coatings designed for your climate that can reduce energy loss by as much as 30%-50%.
• The weather stripping around your windows may have become worn, allowing air leakage.
• Newer vinyl clad wood frames insulate better than older metal frames.

The bottom line is that replacing your windows (or the glass in them), may increase the insulation value, but you will have to weigh the savings against the cost incurred.

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This 3,600-square-foot, eco-friendly home in Fairhope, Alabama, was developed by architect Bob Chatham of the Chatham Design Group and builder Jeremy Friedman of Kaloosa Builders to showcase practical green building techniques.

The Fairhope Green Home Project is the first house in the state to receive Gold Certification from the National Association of Home Builders Green Building Program which requires standards for water conservation, energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and the use of sustainable and recycled materials. Due to all the energy efficient techniques used in the home, the power bill is expected to average only a bit over $70 a month.

Advantages of a Green Home

While it costs more to construct an energy efficient home, there are many benefits to be gained from the additional investment including:

• Lower utility bills to operate the home.
• Health benefits from improved air quality.
• Overall positive benefits for the environment as a whole.

Heart pine flooring resawn from old beams.

Using Recycled Materials

Recycled materials—including heart pine flooring sawn from old beams and doors made from antique cypress—are an important component of the home. A pecan tree that had to be removed from the site was sawn into lumber at a small local sawmill for use as beams and mantels in the house. In addition to custom sawing, Roy Hyde, the operator of the sawmill, also fashions the wood he cuts into unique furniture and millwork.

Handmade furniture crafted from salvaged trees by local woodworker Roy Hyde.

Environmentally Friendly Sheathing

The walls and roof were sheathed with the Zip System from Huber Engineered Woods, which is made from wood certified by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative. The panels are covered with a moisture resistant coating and joints between them are sealed with formaldehyde free adhesive strips. This not only makes for very tight house construction but eliminates the need for house wrap and felt paper.

Zip System wall sheathing and roof decking from Huber Engineered Woods

Geothermal Heat Pump

A geothermal heat pump made by WaterFurnace was installed to heat and cool the Fairhope Green Home Project. Geothermal heat pumps extract heat from water pumped from wells, making them much more efficient than standard air source heat pumps. The excess heat generated by geothermal pumps can also be used to provide much of the hot water in the home.

Foam Insulation for Energy Efficiency

To further reduce the home’s heating and cooling bills, Icynene Foam Insulation was sprayed in the walls and between the rafters in the attic. This can reduce the heating and cooling loss by 60% to 70%. The additional cost of foam insulation is recouped by energy savings in 3-5 years for new construction.

When using standard fiberglass insulation to insulate your home, be sure a face the paper or foil vapor barrier toward the inside of the home (down in attics, up under floors) to prevent condensation from occurring. If an additional layer of fiberglass insulation is applied to your attic, use unfaced insulation on top of the existing insulation.

Reducing Building Waste

Every effort was made to make the actual building process as eco-friendly as possible. This included a waste management plan that recycled or reused over 70% of the waste created on the jobsite. Any remaining scrap lumber was ground up and used as mulch around the home.

Waste wood being ground into mulch for use in planting beds.

Green Landscaping

Other eco-friendly aspects of the landscaping for the home included the use of native plants, which are better suited to the local environment and require less water, pesticides, and fertilizer. A permeable base of reclaimed concrete was installed under the flagstone patio to allow it to serve as a natural drainage area for the backyard. Mondo grass was planted between the stones to further increase absorbency.

Pervious flagstone patio planted with mondo grass.

The SmartLine irrigation system from Weathermatic employs water saving sprinkler heads and has a built-in weather station that monitors the moisture in the air to reduce unnecessary watering.

Water Conservation

Conserving water was an important consideration inside the home as well. Low-flow sinks and showerheads where used throughout the kitchen and bathrooms, along with water saving dual-flush toilets.

Eco-Friendly Furnishings

Even the furnishings in the home were made from environmentally friendly materials. Rugs made use of vegetable dyes while furniture was constructed using soy based cushions covered by natural fabrics such as linen, cotton, and bamboo.

Further Information

• Plans for the Fairhope Green Home Project can be viewed or purchased at the Chatham Design Group website.
• Additional information about the Fairhope Green Home Project is available on the Green Building in Fairhope website.
• Find a wealth of information on eco-friendly living at Your Green Home.

Other Tips from This Episode

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Who Can Qualify?

Taxpayers who make energy efficiency improvements to their home during 2009 and 2010 using approved products can apply for a credit on their 2009 or 2010 federal income tax returns. A few of the improvements also qualify for a tax credit when installed on primary, rental, or second homes through 2016.

While the energy efficiency improvement tax credit can reduce the amount you owe on your federal income tax to zero, you won’t receive a larger refund than the total amount of income tax you paid for the year. In other words, if you will already receive a full refund of your federal income tax, you will not benefit from the energy efficiency improvement tax credit.

What Home Improvements Qualify?

In order for an improvement to be eligible for a tax credit, the product used must meet certain government established criteria for energy efficiency and come with a Manufacturer Certification Statement indicating that it qualified.

There are two basic categories of tax credits, each of which allow you to deduct 30% of the cost of the improvement, depending on the type of energy saving products you install:

• Products that have a maximum tax credit limit of $1,500.
• Products with no maximum limit.

$1,500 Tax Credit

The following energy saving home improvements are eligible for a tax credit of 30% of the cost of the improvement, with a maximum limit of $1,500 for both years combined. So to receive all of the tax credit, you would need to spend a total of $5,000. Improvements must be completed and put into service between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2010 to qualify. You may lump several different energy saving improvements together in the tax credit. Products must be installed on an existing home that serves as the taxpayer’s primary residence. Qualified improvements include:

• Insulation
• Windows and storm windows
• Exterior doors and storm doors
• Skylights
• Energy efficient HVAC systems and furnaces
• Garage doors
• Heat reflective roofing
• Energy efficient hot water heaters
• Biomass stoves (wood and pellet)

30% Unlimited Tax Credit

The following improvements are eligible for a 30% tax credit with no maximum limit. The work must be completed between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2016. Unlike the $1,500 credit, improvements can be to a primary residence, rental home, or second home. Also, both new construction and existing homes are eligible. Qualified improvements include:

• Geothermal heat pumps
• Solar hot water heaters
• Photovoltaic power systems
• Residential wind energy systems

Product Requirements

To best way to be sure that the products you install meet the requirements for the energy efficiency tax credit is to obtain a Manufacturer Certification Statement stating that they qualify. Here are some general guidelines for each type of product.

Insulation

To qualify for a tax credit, insulation must:

• Be primarily used for insulation purposes.
• Be expected to last at least 5 years or carry a 2-year warrenty.
• Meet 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) guidelines.

NOTE: Only material costs qualify for the tax credit on insulation. Installation costs are not covered.

Windows, Doors, and Skylights

To qualify for a tax credit, the NFRC approved label on the product must state that it has:

• U-Factor of 0.30 or less.
• Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) of 0.30 or less.

Deciding whether storm windows and storm doors qualify is more complicated, since their energy efficiency ratings must be combined with the IECC rating and climate zone of the window or door they cover.

NOTE: Only material costs qualify for the tax credit on windows, storm windows, doors, storm doors, and skylights. Installation costs are not covered.

Heating and Air Conditioning Systems

To qualify for a tax credit, HVAC systems must meet the following minimum energy efficiency rating or higher for Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER), Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER), Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF), and Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE):

• Split Air Conditioner: EER 13 & SEER 16.
• Package Air Conditioner: EER 12 & SEER 14.
• Split Heat Pump: EER 12.5, SEER 15, & HSPF 8.5.
• Package Heat Pump: EER 12, SEER 14, & HSPF 8.
• Gas or Propane Furnace: AFUE 95.
• Oil Furnace: AFUE 90.
• Gas, Propane, or Oil Hot Water Boiler: AFUE 90.
• Geothermal Heat Pump: Must meet Energy Star requirements.
• Biomass Stove: Thermal efficiency rating of 75%.

NOTE: Both installation and material costs qualify for the tax credit on heating and cooling systems.

Garage Doors

To qualify for a tax credit, a garage door must:

• Be installed on an insulated garage.
• Have a U-Factor of 0.30 or less.
• Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) of 0.30 or less.

NOTE: Only material costs qualify for the tax credit on garage doors. Installation costs are not covered.

Heat Reflective Roofing

In order to qualify for a tax credit, roofing must:

• Meet government Energy Star requirements for heat reflective roofing.
• Be expected to last at least 5 years or carry a 2-year warrenty.

NOTE: Only material costs qualify for a tax credit on roofing. Installation costs are not covered.

Hot Water Heaters

To qualify for a tax credit, hot water heaters must:

• Gas, Oil, or Propane Water Heater: All Energy Star approved tankless models. No storage tank models qualify.
• Electric Heat Pump Water Heater: Energy Star approved models.
• Solar Water Heater: Energy Star approved models that are not used for swimming pools or hot tubs.

NOTE: Both installation and material costs qualify for the tax credit on hot water heaters.

Solar and Wind Power Systems

In order to qualify for a tax credit, solar and wind powers systems must:

• Provide electricity for the residence.
• Meet required fire and electrical code requirements.

NOTE: Both installation and material costs qualify for the tax credit on solar and wind power systems.

Products that Do Not Qualify

The following items are not covered under the tax credit:

• Ceiling fans
• Clothes washers and dryers
• Dishwashers
• Electric tankless water heaters
• Programmable thermostats
• Refrigerators
• Room air conditioners

For more information on whether a product qualifies for the energy efficiency tax credit, contact the manufacturer. For detailed tax information, contact the Internal Revenue Service at 1-800-829-1040 or your tax accountant.

Further Information

• Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency (Energy Star)
• Consumer Energy Tax Incentives (Dept. of Energy)
• American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (EERE)

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Foam insulation made from soybeans is both energy efficient and eco-friendly since it doesn’t release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) while drying. After spraying it on, the insulation expands to 100 times its size to fill every crack and crevice. This creates a seamless air barrier that can save from 30% - 50% on energy bills.

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Not only can additional insulation reduce your energy bills and make your home more comfortable, but GreenFiber cellulose insulation is made from 85% recycled material and uses 10% less energy to make. It can be blown or damp sprayed into walls, floors, and attics. The natural fibers are treated with a nontoxic chemical for flame resistance and are guaranteed for the life of your home. GreenFiber insulation is available at The Home Depot stores.

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You don’t have to empty your bank account to reduce your energy and water bills. In fact, adopting these simple tips will actually save you money while helping the environment at the same time. So whether you’re interested in going green to reduce your carbon footprint, or gaining green in your wallet, it makes sense to save energy.

Heating and Cooling

• Turn the thermostat down in winter and up in summer.
• Lower thermostat when away from home and asleep at night.
• Open curtains or shades on the south and west sides of your house on sunny days during cold weather.
• Close curtains or shades at night during the winter.
• Close curtains or shades on the sunny sides of house during the day in hot weather.
• Run paddle fans clockwise on low during the winter to circulate air, and counterclockwise during the summer (when in room) to feel cooler.
• Check ductwork on HVAC system for leaks. Patch ducts with metallic tape or duct mastic.

• Change your air filter every 1-3 months.
• Check to be sure the fireplace damper is closed when not in use.
• Install solar blocking film on windows.
• Weather strip around doors and windows.
• Install foam gaskets on plugs and switches on exterior walls.
• Insulate fold-down attic stairs.
• Caulk cracks and gaps around outside of house.
• Add insulation to attic.
• Plant deciduous trees on south and west sides of house.

Lighting

• Turn lights off when not in use.
• Replace incandescent bulbs with CFLs.

Electronics

• Turn off TV and computers when not in use.
• Set energy saving options on computers to put on standby when not in use.
• Unplug chargers for cell phones and tools when not needed.

Washing and Drying Clothes

• Clean the lint filter and vent pipe regularly on clothes dryer.
• Don’t overload the dryer.
• Dry clothes on a clothes line rather than in the dryer.
• Wash clothes in cold water.
• Run only full loads of clothes in the washer.

Hot Water

• Turn hot water heater down to 120° F.
• Insulate hot water pipes.
• Drain water heater yearly.

Kitchen

• Use microwave rather than oven for cooking.
• Use a crock pot instead of oven and burners for cooking.
• Run only full loads in dishwasher.
• Don’t prerinse dishes before putting in dishwasher.
• Turn off dishwasher drying cycle, open door and air dry instead.
• Clean coils on refrigerator.

Bathroom

• Take showers rather than baths.
• Install low-flow showerheads and aerators.
• Repair running toilets, dripping faucets, and leaking pipes.
• Replace old toilets with water efficient, dual-flush models.

Lawn and Garden

• Install motion detectors on outside lights to reduce use.
• Water the lawn and plants sparingly if at all.
• Collect rainwater from gutters in rain barrels for watering.
• Set lawn mower blade higher and cut grass less often.

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