Do-it-yourself!

Why DIY?

While major air sealing, insulation, heat pump and solar jobs should be left to professionals, there are many smaller changes that are within reach of almost everyone. And these small changes add up!

We have covered a number of these improvements in other parts of the PowerHouse and site, including:

• Windows: Covering with plastic wrap and caulking around their frames

• Lighting: Switching to LEDs and turning off the lights when not in use

• Using power strips to turn off appliances that otherwise would remain on standby or continue to draw small amounts of power (also known as “Vampire Power” or “Phantom Load”)

In this section we touch on a few more key actions you might want to consider doing in your own homes.

WATER Conservation & Water Heaters

Water conservation is often especially important in regions of the world where there is a water shortage. While this isn’t generally an issue in upstate New York, water conservation is connected to energy conservation as well. In particular, reducing the amount of hot water you use, can result in significant energy and bill savings.

Faucet aerators mix in air with water that reduces the flow of water while maintaining a powerful stream of water to wash dishes or shower. Water flow is measured in gallons per minute. You can measure the flow in your sink faucet by turning on the faucet fully and placing a gallon jug beneath and timing how long it takes to fill.

If you are purchasing a new faucet, look for the “WaterSense” label, which meet EPA criteria for low-flow faucets. Read more here.

Make sure your water heater is set to 120 degrees F, and not higher. This will reduce your energy use, and reduce the risk of scalding. To test hot water temperature place a thermometer in a cup and turn on your hot water. Run it for a few minutes and check the temperature. Adjust if necessary your water heater and wait a few hours to retest again.

Reducing Air Leakage

There are many things you can do on your own to reduce the amount of air leaking in and out of your house. We have already referred to caulking around windows and installing plastic coverings. Other steps that can have a significant impact include:

• Installing weatherstripping around doors, as well as a door sweep.

• Installing foam gaskets in electrical boxes for switches and plugs that are on exterior walls. Since electrical boxes often are parts of the wall with little or no insulation, they can be channels for air leakage. Run your hand along them on a cold and windy day to see if you can feel air movement. If so, you might want to install foam gaskets. You can buy a pack of them for less than $10. Make sure you disconnect your power before doing this work at home!

Thermostat Settings

Setting your thermostat a few degrees cooler in winter or higher in summer can translate into noticeable energy bill savings. In general, a sustained 1-degree reduction in your thermostat settings results in 3% energy bill savings. You don’t have to sacrifice comfort. You can easily do this just by programming your thermostat to drop when you leave or are sleeping, and return to normal during times you and your family are at home.

Your Refrigerator

You can clean the coils where the heat exchange takes place. Also, make sure the temperature of the fridge and freezer are set to the right temperatures—40 and 0 degrees, respectively.

Getting an energy audit

We also recommend getting an energy audit so that a professional can help identify solutions to help make your home more energy efficient. Based on the energy audit, the contractor can also help you access incentive or rebate programs, such as those offered by NYSERDA, that can help cover the cost of purchasing energy efficient products. The Get Your GreenBack website has a list of local contractors that you can contact for an energy audit.