Extreme heat save energy

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SUGGESTIONS TO:

By: Maria M Hernandez

STOP THE WASTE!

Table of contents Chapter 1  Retrofit your Property……………………………………………….…...4  Efficient Home ………………………………………………………………..5 Chapter 2  Ease the sun’s heat with efficient windows ……………….….6  Triple Pane window ……………………………………………………...7 Chapter 3  Décor or Efficiency? ……………………………………………………....8 Chapter 4  Window Treatments: a cost effective solution ………………9  Blinds ………………………………………………………………….……….10  Plantation Shutters ……………………………………………………….11  Drapes ……………………………………………………………………….…12  Awnings …………………………………………………………………….....13 Chapter 5  Conclusion ……………………………………………………………………14 Beat the heat weave

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Stewards of Sustainability S.O.S “Answering the Earth’s call” A publication dedicated to inform about sustainable practices to mitigate Climate Change.

EDITOR:

Maria M Hernandez CREDENTIALS: •Leader in Environmental and Energy Design •LEED AP •LEED AP ID+C •Certified General Contractor •Building Analyst •Energy Auditor •Disaster Inspector •Interior Designer •Airplus Verifier floridaleedap@gmail.com

Contributor: Spinks Edwards _________

September 2013 Beat the heat weave

We are witnessing extreme weather conditions worldwide, from sever heat to flooding everywhere; climate change is a fact that we can’t ignore.

We must understand that our actions are impacting the planet in a negative way and we are responsible of Greenhouse emissions that are changing the environment causing Natural disaster everywhere.

We are all part of the solution; small steps implemented in our household will lead to great results and the reduction of CO2 emissions creating a better world to live for all of us and future generations to come.

In this publication I will share with you different solutions that you could implement on your property to reduce energy consumption mitigating Climate Change.

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Extreme weather conditions with triple digit temperatures are soaring across the States.

According to the forecast issued by NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, we should be expecting significantly above average temperatures in August and September 2013.

This heat wave will take a toll on our budget this summer if we don’t prepare.

In the majority of the homes in U.S.A., approximately 40 % of the energy dollars are escaping through the windows and doors

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RETROFIT YOUR PROPERTY Definitely, the most widespread practice to save money and reduce energy consumption in our home is the retrofitting of the building and systems with efficient practices and technologies. The implementation of smart decisions like caulk sealing windows and doors, improving insulation and duct sealing, replacing their lighting systems with light emitting diodes, installing light controls and programmable thermostat, these small retrofits will pay for themselves in a short time, will reduce the energy consumption and as a result will save you money.

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1) Change your air filter regularly.

Change the filter every 3 months. A dirty filter will slow down air flow and make the system work harder to keep you warm or cool - wasting energy. A clean filter will also prevent dust and dirt from building up in the system leading to expensive maintenance and/or early system failure.

2) Install a programmable thermostat.

Through proper use of pre-programmed settings, a programmable thermostat can save you about $180 every year in energy costs.

3) Seal your heating and cooling ducts.

Sealing and insulating ducts can improve the efficiency of your heating and cooling system by as much as 20 % 4) Seal Leaks.

Sealing leaks around windows, doors with caulk, spray foam, or weather stripping will have a great impact on improving your comfort and reducing utility bills.

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Most energy-efficient homes have some basic elements in common: a well-constructed and tightly sealed thermal envelope; controlled ventilation; properly sized high-efficiency heating and cooling systems; and energy-efficient doors, windows, and appliances.

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EASE THE SUN’s HEAT WITH EFFICIENT WINDOWS

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One of the most valuable investments in your property is the installation of Energy Star windows; this retrofit will save up to 50 % of energy, will offer protection, better indoor air quality, and comfort increasing the value of your property. The majority of the homes in U.S.A. are being built with standard windows (single panel) as a consequence, approximately 40 % of the energy dollars are escaping through the windows and doors. The new technology in windows offers energy-efficient properties: the single-panel glass has been replaced by double, triple and even quadruple panels. Inert gasses have been pumped between the panels, adding to the window's insulating properties and the glass has been coated to reflect heat. Replacing your windows is not a low cost option, so is important to take in consideration the time that you will stay in your property and evaluate the ROI or return on the investment before implementing this retrofit.

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Increased Insulating Power – Triple Pane windows can increase the U Factor of dual pane, clear glass windows by up to 52%.

This improvement comes from a combination of the extra pane of glass, multiple cavities that contain insulating ‘blankets’ of Argon gas, and additional glass surfaces on which to apply our Low E coating technology.

Whether you live in a hot or cold climate …the key the triple pane insulating power is stopping heat flow.

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DÉCOR OR EFFICIENCY?

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Making a decision to retrofit a property is not easy; we always prefer to make a decisions based on the look rather than the efficiency.

If you have extra money to spend on your home, will you use it for Décor or for Efficiency?

Well, I have good news for you: YOU CAN HAVE THE BEST OF THE TWO WORLDS! The most cost effective solution to beat the heat wave this summer controlling the waste of energy while at the same time adding a touch of Décor: is by installing efficient window treatments.

These treatments could reduce the solar heat gain from 10% to 70 % depending on different factors like type, color, materials, fabrication, installation, etc.

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WINDOW TREATMENTS: A COST EFFECTIVE SOLUTION DOUBLE CELL INSULATING SHADE

Window shades can be one of the simplest, stylish and most effective window treatments for saving energy. In hot climates, shades can reduce up to 40 % of cooling cost.

To be effective, window treatments must trap air between the shade or blind and the window glass.

Double Cell Shades act as a barrier to heat flow, trapping air between the shade and window and helping to save money on energy costs. Also, the Sidetrack System provides an additional barrier to seal drafty regions around the windows.

The type of fabric or material use will also improve the efficiency and savings like materials with wide range of UV protection and highly reflective surfaces.

The GREENGUARD technology will offer materials with low chemical emissions, improving the indoor air quality.

The actual energy savings may vary for individual homes, based upon house orientation, quality and window size, heating ventilation, air conditioning systems, the shading of landscape trees and shade usage.

REDUCE UP TO 40 % OF COOLING COST! R VALUE= R5

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Because of the numerous openings between the slats, it's difficult to control heat loss through interior window blinds, but the slats offer flexibility in the summer.

With this blinds you can adjust the slats to control light and ventilation. For example, when completely closed and lowered on a sunny window, highly reflective blinds can reduce heat gain by around 45%.

They can also be adjusted to block and reflect direct sunlight onto a light-colored ceiling. A light-colored ceiling will diffuse the light without much heat or glare.

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PLANTATION SHUTTERS Plantation shutters are fitted to the interior side of a window, and usually are chosen for their aesthetic appeal.

The R-values could between 2.77 and 3.17.

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Both wood and vinyl plantation shutters act as effective insulators, although wood is slightly better at resisting temperature conductivity.

Because the shutters fit tightly in window frames, they also block the transfer of heat through air movement or convection, creating a barrier between outside temperatures and your home’s interior.

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A drapery's ability to reduce heat loss and gain depends on several factors, including fabric type (closed or open weave) and color. With such a wide variety of draperies available, it's difficult to generalize about their energy performance.

To reduce heat exchange or convection; draperies should be hung as close to windows as possible. Also let them fall onto a window sill or floor.

Two draperies hung together will create a tighter air space than just one drapery.

During summer days, you should close draperies on windows receiving direct sunlight to prevent heat gain. Studies demonstrate that medium-colored draperies with whiteplastic backings can reduce heat gains by

33%. Draperies also stay cooler in the summer than some other window treatments because their pleats and folds lose heat through convection.

When drawn during cold weather, most draperies can reduce heat loss from a warm room up to 10% in winter.

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For maximum effectiveness install a cornice at the top of a drapery or place the drapery against the ceiling.

Then seal the drapery at both sides and overlap it in the center. If you do these things, you may reduce heat loss up to 25%.

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AWNINGS

Window awnings can reduce solar heat gain in the summer by up to 65% on south-facing windows and 77% on west-facing windows. You can use an awning to shade one window or have an awning custom-made to shade the entire side of your house.

Awnings are made from synthetic fabrics such as acrylic and polyvinyl laminates that are water-repellent and treated to resist mildew and fading. Whatever the fabric, you should choose one that is opaque and tightly woven. A light-colored awning will reflect more sunlight.

Awnings require ventilation to keep hot air from becoming trapped around the window. Grommets (eyelets) or other openings along the tops and sides of an awning can provide ventilation. The awning may also open to the sides or top to vent hot air.

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CONCLUSION

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Whether you take small steps or make big investments to retrofit your property, the key is to implement a holistic approach considering smart decisions to save energy, to conserve natural resources, minimize carbon emissions, increase indoor air quality using low chemical emissions materials and at the same time adding that special touch of DĂŠcor.

Recognizing the costs and considering the benefits of the implementations can help you choose actions that achieve the results you intend. Think about leverage points. Look for easy solutions that can make a big difference.

With this approach you will be increasing property value the sustainable way!

SAVE $

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References: U.S. Department of Energy Energy Star Efficient Windows Environmental Protection Agency U.S. DOE Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

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Stewards of Sustainability

S.O.S “Answering the Earth’s call”

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