Extreme Makeover: Energy Edition

A Lakewood non-profit helped a Centennial couple save an estimated $1,800 on its energy bills in 2007.

The Colorado Energy Science Center and Xcel Energy chose George and Wendy Chavez' home in Centennial for one of two free energy upgrades worth more than $25,000. Their home's selection from among more than 10,000 applicants was a rather dubious distinction, as noted by CESC director Pat Keegan. He hosted a workshop to explain the changes and upgrades in the Chavez home, which was chosen for its high energy bills and poor energy efficiency.

"You're here because your homes weren't that bad," he told roughly a dozen workshop attendees who said they entered the Home Makeover competition. "And we hope you never win the Home Makeover because that means you didn't learn anything from this workshop."

Keegan introduced some of the contractors and manufacturers who donated products and services to upgrade the energy efficiency of the home, and he took workshop participants on a tour of the Centennial home.

The remodel started with a house call from Paul Kriescher, an energy auditor from Lightly Treading, Inc.

"We can take a very short amount of time to look at the elements of your home and measure it against our specific climate," he said, noting the biggest sources of energy loss in most homes. "Forty to 50 percent of your energy bill can be related to reining in air leakage."

He said the leakage factor was especially high in the poorly insulated, drafty Chavez home, but all homes can benefit from upgrades to insulation, windows, heating, cooling and ductwork, and lights and appliances.

With roughly $3,000 in air sealing and insulation improvements, the Chavezes can expect to save at least $320 per year.

He said homeowners sometimes overlook major sources of air leakage, such as recessed lighting fixtures that can be easily covered, insulated or replaced with air-tight fixtures.

The attic insulation in the Chavez home was more than doubled, saving roughly $120 per year, with another $180 in estimated savings by densely packing the walls with cellulose insulation. Westminster-based Accent Windows replaced the home's windows with efficient double-pane models, saving roughly $218 per year. Kriescher said efficient blinds and other window coverings can also improve the value of even the most energy-efficient windows.

The CESC and Xcel also helped the couple replace their aging appliances and old-fashioned light bulbs with Energy Star-rated models, saving $137 per year. Finally, the furnace and water heater were replaced with more efficient models, saving nearly $700 per year in energy costs.

Keegan noted the switch from a traditional water heater with a continually heated tank to a tankless on-demand model could have led to even greater savings but the couple already was thrifty with water usage and did not have children or houseguests using large amounts of hot water.

Keegan said the savings are expected to total at least $1,779 per year, assuming energy prices do not increase, which is unlikely. The couple's carbon footprint, or carbon dioxide output, will shrink by about 9.5 tons per year, the equivalent of driving the average automobile 23,750 miles. Finally, the couple will see a third important benefit.

Wendy Chavez complained she was never warm in her home before the makeover, and the temperature was uneven throughout the home. The replacement windows and sealed leaks also increased her comfort level, in addition to the economic and environmental impact.

Overall, the improvements cost more than $25,000, but Keegan noted homeowners can reduce both their energy bills and their carbon footprint with a smaller investment and even basic, free steps.

"You can do a lot for $1,000," he said. "You can do a lot for $100 and just make smart decisions."

Wendy Chavez said she already saw significant savings despite lower average temperatures than last year. The Chavezes have used approximately 65 percent less natural gas this winter than the previous year, and estimate their total power bill has dropped 50 percent.

"We have been very comfortable even though it has been so very cold," Wendy Chavez said. "My bill seems to be at least half of what it had been, so I am very happy."

For more information on the program, visit www.smartenergyliving.org.

On a related note, Xcel Energy offers the following energy-saving tips, along with dozens of others, on its Web site.

• Regular furnace maintenance can save $18 to $60 each winter with an 80 percent efficient furnace in a 1,600-square-foot home.

• Keep your fireplace damper closed when not in use to prevent up to 5 percent heat loss. When using the fireplace, turn down your thermostat and open a window near the fireplace to prevent warm air from being pulled from other areas of your house.

• Use a programmable thermostat, which can save as much as 20 percent on heating costs by automatically adjusting the temperature. For example, set your thermostat to 60 degrees for the night and while you are away.

• Open drapes on south-facing windows when it is sunny. At night, close drapes to retain heat. Close drapes to provide insulation where windows receive no direct sunlight. Up to 15 percent of your heat can escape through unprotected windows.

• Furnaces with the highest efficiency ratings, 90 percent or more, use approximately 15 percent less energy than other models. You could save as much as $100 each heating season with a high-efficiency natural gas furnace.

• The most efficient ceiling fans cost as little as 30 cents a month if used eight hours a day. A window air conditioner can cost 50 times as much as a fan.

• Low-flow showerheads and faucets can reduce water consumption by as much as 10 percent. You also save on the energy used to heat water and won't notice any difference in water pressure.

• High-efficiency water heaters can be more expensive than standard models, but the payback period for a natural gas water heater is less than 2.5 years on a 12-year lifespan. An electric water heater has a 10-year payback on a 25-year life.

• Once a year, pull out your refrigerator and clean or dust the coils on the back of the refrigerator. Clean coils help the compressor cool faster and run less frequently, which extends the life of your refrigerator and reduces energy use.

Source: www.xcelenergy.com

This story was originally published in City and Mountain Views Magazine.