Calgary Herald (Calgary, AB): Energy efficiency not only green, it can save green too

Posted October 24, 2010 by OneChange

Going green can save you green.

That conservation message is not new, but it's also one that is apparently still far from mainstream.

Even with the recent economic downturn forcing many to pinch their pennies, there's still plenty of work that can be done on home energy consumption, say conservation experts.

From light bulbs to low-flow, homeowners still need to be reminded there's basic changes that help conserve water and energy -- and cut utility bills.

"The reality is that implementation is still low in a lot of places," says Fred Walter, director of energy efficiency and conservation for Climate Change Central.

"Despite the fact there is a good return on investment for people to make those changes, some of those changes still aren't happening."

With homes the biggest personal consumers of energy, even small steps in conservation can result in big payoffs.

And not everything has to start with forking out cash for upgrades to new technology.

"You can make an investment or behaviour change, those are really your two options," says Walter.

One of the easiest changes can come from taking stock of your home's energy use.

That's where consumers can assess their "phantom load" -- appliances and electronics that draw power even when they are turned "off."

Some of the top culprits draw 15 to 20 watts of power -- around $20 a year, and include portable stereos, microwaves, TVs, VCRs and DVD players.

Unplug devices, or switch them over to a power bar than can make it more convenient to turn everything off at once.

Homeowners can check power draws with a power meter, available in stores or on loan from a Calgary Public Library branch.

Lowering the temperature on the hot water heater -- which generally accounts for about one-quarter of natural gas use -- and just skipping the heat dry cycle on the dishwasher by opening the door can add up over time.

"There are lots of things, simple things, that people can do that reduce their impact on the environment and save them money," said Geoff Braun, interim executive director of Green Calgary.

But even small investments can pay off fairly quickly.

In a recent roundup by Ashley Lubyk, Green Calgary's co-ordinator of residential environmental services, he laid out some of the return on investment on water and energy saving upgrades.

A low-flow tap aerator can reduce water flow by 25 to 50 per cent. At $3, the payback is under a month. A $10 low-flow shower head can save $20 in water costs annually.

For $50 or more, a programmable thermostat can be set to turn down the heat at night or during the day when everyone is out of the home. Every degree Celsius of lower heat (for a minimum of eight hours) can shave about two per cent off utility bills.

Heading into the winter season, programmable timers can cut down power draws for block heaters on vehicles.

And while conservation groups have been advocating the switch to more efficient lighting, which can account for 20 per cent of electricity used in the home, their use is still not mainstream.

Compact fluorescent light bulbs use about 75 per cent less energy than traditional lighting.

Project Porchlight estimates changing 20 bulbs in an average household could result in a $200 annual power saving.

"They are smaller-type investments, but they pay big dividends," said Walter.

For those homeowners ready to make an investment to help conserve energy, a good first step is an audit of your home.

Provincial rebates are still available -- which covers nearly half of the $450 cost -- and can help prioritize on which upgrades will have the biggest return.

"They can help target simple fixes that you may be able to do on your own, like caulking and weatherstripping . . . to replacing your furnace, or looking at low-flow toilets," said Walter.

"Rather than recommend people just out and get a quote for a new furnace, you might want to look at your house as a system."

There are also government incentives and rebates for some upgrades that help offset the costs, he notes. Those can cover things like low-flow toilets and insulation upgrades, as well as new energy-efficient appliances and high-efficiency furnaces. And for homeowners ready to take their energy conservation to the next level, they might consider adding renewable power sources to their to-do list.