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energy efficiency BUI MacLean knows a lot about how new home buyers view energy efficiency The company he works for is In the home building business and as marketing manager Bill keeps careful track of how families react to his companys products Bills interest in buyer response to energy- efficient features is easy to understand his company Tartan Ltd of Ottawa is heavily committed to constructing energy- efficient homes Tartan has built 150 houses with energysaving systems A number of these have been built under the Government of Canadas program which en courages builders to construct super energyefficient homes With annual healing costs as low as Tartans homes have certainly met the energyefficient set for them Bill finds that the publics understanding of the value of energy efficiency is In creasing but some problems still exist Everybody is paying more attention to energy but a lot of consumer education is still needed he says The major source of confusion among con sumers about energy efficiency results ironically from the success that builders have had in developing contemporary energyefficient designs Until recently publicity on homes centred on fairly radical looking buildings that bore little resemblance to most existing homes In contrast many builders are now producing homes that are both energy ef ficient and available in all of the popular designs The important differences are largely invisible High Insulation levels result in slightly thicker walls but many home- buyers dont even notice this The airtight construction of these homes while critically important to their is not visibly apparent Careful window placement takes advantage of available solar heat but does not appearance Overall energy efficiency is the result of careful design and engineering combined with new construc tion techniques For the con ditioned to buying largely on the basis of appearance these differences can be dif ficult to understand The advantages of an energyefficient home are of course largely economical Over the years energy savings of per cent or more add up to a lot of money The initial cost premium for these homes is tied HOME ENERGY Oct 311984 A PLANNED APPROACH TO ENERGY DOLLARS y A Community Newspaper to the recognition that energy costs are just as important a consideration as the amount of monthly mortgage payments Both costs are paid out of the same pocket the home owners Savings from energy efficiency can more than offset the slightly higher mor tgage payments of these homes so that overall they cost less to own and operate For Bill increasing the home- buyers awareness of the value of energy- efficient housing is part of the Job A decade after the energy crisis progressive housing developers ore responding to the reality of high energy costs As more and more consumers come to understand the ad vantages of such homes energyefficient housing may become the rule rather than the exception Simple steps toward energy savings Turning down the heat automatically By now everybody knows that the easiest way to a few dollars on their heating bill is to turn down the furnace thermostat Chances are youve prob ably done this already and had no trouble adjusting to slightly lower indoor temperatures Lowering the thermo stat is a good tint step but what about all those times when everyone in the house is asleep or out You con probably manage to turn the- heat down then as well but you wont always remem ber Even when you do youll have to wait to get temperatures back to normal The obvious solution is a thermostat that will make these adjustments auto matically Unlike many modem conveniences that cost money this one will piy for itself in a very short lime and eon to pay div idends for yean Clock thermostats are the least expensive and can be preset for one or more set back periods each day Fully programmable models ore available also These allow for more flexibility in seti back schedules For ex ample the most sophisti cated models can accommo date a complex weekly schedule that looks after your daily comings and goings and alters the sched ule on the weekends All of these thermostats can be used with either forced air or water circulat ing heat distribution sys tems With hot water cir culation the only difference is that setback periods sun earlier and end earlier to compensate for the volume of water in the boiler and circulation pipes These products axe re liable and inexpensive and guarantee that you get the fullest advantage from turn ing down the heat Energy savings of up to per cent are not uncommon and with todays healing costs this is good news indeed Developing a stepby a tep approach to energy management In your home is the best way to get results for your money Doing it right can save you money now and guarantee that your future energy costs will be reduced Every situation is unique but the following steps cover most of what you need to consider for wise home energy manage ment STEP EVALUATE GET ADVICE Expert advice is only a phono call away Energy Mines and Resources Canada EMR operates the HEATLINE a tollfree telephone advisory service in Ottawa in British Columbia 112-800-267- 9563 for those who want to save energy but need consultation about what to do in their specific situation The free analysis of beat loss The Enerfave Home Energy Analysis is a free service offered by Answer simple questionnaire and mall the completed farm The analysis assesses the energy effidency of your house and helps determine the best ways to Invest In caulking and insula tion Doityourself analysis Check for cracks and gaps around doors windows the foundation sill plate electrical outlets on exterior walls ceilings and the attic such an analysis existing insulation levels should be measured to see where improvements are required Utility or commercial home energy analysis Many utility companies offer home energy analysis as a service Call your local utilities to see If this service is available A growing number of energy audit companies offer consultation computerized air leakage measurements and infrared heat detection STEP MAKE THE MOST OF LOWCOST AND NOCOST ENERGYSAVING OP PORTUNITIES There are many simple ways to save energy turning lights out in unoccupied rooms dosing fireplace dampers and taking advantage of the suns heat are just a few Can you make use of the examples offered here in your home Torn thermostats down For cadi degree Celsius you tower your thermostat during an eight hour period you will save nearly two per cent of your dally space heating costs Install a programmable thermostat Programmable or clock thermostats perform scheduled temperature setbacks automatically Use your windows On winter days open blinds or drapes to allow the sun into living areas Close window coverings at sunset in winter In summer use window coverings to keep out the suns heat Open windows at night for cross ventilation Keep most windows shut during the daytime Lower hot water temperature A substantial saving in water heating can be obtained by reducing the heat setting on your hot water tank Fix leaky hot water faucets Wrap hot water pipes and tank Insulating Jacket kits are available from many hardware stores and some utilities There are safety concerns about the insula tion of some water heaters Phone or write your gas or electrical utility before proceeding Use outdoor clothe lines whenever Shop tor appliance Look for and compare the rating which lists the typical monthly energy consumption for new major ap pliances A low energy rating means long- term energy savings Improve per forma nee Clothes washers and dryers dishwashers ore most when used for full loads