Energy Home Efficiency Summary
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Windows should be double paned, gas filled with Low-e glass. Vinyl or Wooden frames have a higher insulation value. Sufficient caulking should be used. Any south or east facing windows should be tinted with Solar Film or fitted with Solar Screens.
Attic temperatures in the summer months can exceed 150 degrees Fahrenheit. This heat is transmitted into your home and causes the HVAC system to work harder. Installation of a radiant barrier in the attic can lower temperatures significantly. When used in conjunction with solar powered attic fans, the living areas and air conditioning ductwork stay cooler so less energy is required to maintain comfort in the summer heat.
Insulation should be included in the attic at an R-38 thickness. Walls should be insulated, as well as any crawl spaces under the home.
Doors should be sufficiently sealed with weather stripping. French doors especially should be checked to determine if new weather stripping is needed.
Air infiltration should be considered beyond the typical insulation and caulking around windows and doors. This includes sealing baseboard trim, plumbing bypasses, installing insulating pads behind outlets and switch plates, installing energy saver outlet caps in unused outlet plugs, and using an Attic Tent to seal attic entrances. Any fireplaces should have a working damper that produces a good seal and is closed when the fireplace is not in use.
Texas standards require a minimum 13 SEER HVAC system. Moving to a higher SEER system will significantly increase energy efficiency. Install the Clean Effects air cleaning system to increase the comfort of those living in the home.
Programmable thermostats, such as the Honeywell Digital Programmable Thermostat, can greatly reduce heating and cooling bills by controlling unnecessary HVAC usage during times that the home is typically unoccupied.
Tankless water heaters can significantly increase energy efficiency. If a tank water heater is used, wrapping it in an insulating blanket helps maintain the heat. All piping that carries hot water should be sufficiently insulated.
Install low flow fixtures: showers heads that run at 2.5 gallons per minute or less, faucets that run at 2 gallons per minute, and dual flush toilets. Additionally, exhaust fans in all bathrooms can reduce moisture, heat and potential mold problems.
Use skylights in the bathrooms, kitchens and in other rooms where day lighting may be advantageous. Sensors should be used in low use rooms such as bathrooms and children's rooms. Replace incandescent light bulbs and traditional fixtures with CFL and LED fixtures.
Appliances should be Energy Star rated, and as efficient as possible.
Irrigation systems should be installed for the highest water efficiency. This includes use of soaker hoses or drip irrigation systems in place of traditional sprinklers. Irrigation systems that use timers and water sensors can also increase water efficiency.
Landscaping should incorporate drought-tolerant natives wherever possible.
Pools/spas that are heated can benefit from a programmable timer to avoid heating the water when the pool will not be in use. Solar pool heating systems are also available.
