This document provides information on how homeowners can save money and energy and help the environment by purchasing Energy Star certified products and implementing energy efficient upgrades in their home. It details that since 1993 over 4.5 billion Energy Star certified products have been purchased, saving homeowners over $4 billion and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 39 billion pounds. Replacing old appliances, windows, and incandescent bulbs with Energy Star models can significantly reduce utility costs and energy usage.
Homeowner's Guide to Saving Money, Energy and The Environment
1. HOMEOWNER’S GUIDE
To Saving Money, Energy and The Environment
Energy Star’s purpose is to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions and other pollutants that are caused by the
inefficient use of energy and to make it easier for
consumers to choose energy-efficient products.
Since 1993, more than
4.5billion
Energy Star certified products
have been purchased
OFFICE EQUIPMENT
HOME ELECTRONICS
HVAC
APPLIANCES
LIGHTING
As of 2012 there are more than
Energy Star certified homes.
1.4million
Since 1995, when the EPA start labeling new
homes, homeowners in the U.S. have saved more
than $4 billion on utility bills and reduced GHG
emissions by more than 39 billion pounds.$4BILLION
39BILLION POUNDS
Using Energy Star certified windows, doors and
skylights reduces energy bills by 7 to 15%
compared to non-Energy Star products.
REFRIGERATORS
WASHING MACHINE
WINDOWS AND DOORS
HEATING, VENTILATION AND
AIR CONDITIONING (HVAC)
Potential savings:
7,000 gallons of water per year
400
loads of laundry per year
Conventional washers use
40 gallons
of water for a full load
Energy Star washers use
20 to 25 gallons
Replacing a washing machine with an
energy-efficient model can save a family
$110 per yearon utility bills.
New refrigerators use
75%
less energy
than those built in the late 1970s.
Replacing a refrigerator from 1980
with a new model will save a family
approximately $100 a year.
Refrigerators with freezers on top use
10 to 15%
less energy
than side-by-side refrigerators.
Replacing an old air conditioner
with an Energy Star model can
reduce energy costs by
$14 per year.
Federal tax credits for 2013 apply to the purchase of certain Energy
Star energy-efficient products. For example:
10 percent of the
product’s cost up to
$500, or in some
cases, a specific
amount (restrictions
apply)
GAS, OIL OR PROPANE
WATER HEATER
ELECTRIC HEAT PUMP
WATER HEATER
WINDOWS, DOORS
AND SKYLIGHTS
METAL AND ASPHALT
ROOFS
INSULATIONCENTRAL AIR
CONDITIONING
BIOMASS STOVE
specific amount of $300
10%
of the cost up
to $500
The average household:
When shopping for energy efficient appliances, look for the
Energy Guide label, specifically those with the Energy Star label.
better than a typical new home.
In 2012, families who lived in Energy Star
certified homes saved more than:
$527
MILLION
on their energy bills.
An Energy Star certified home has energy-saving
features that perform as much as:
WATTS FOR POPULAR APPLIANCES
1200-2400
725 (16 CUBIC FEET, FROST-FREE)
4500 – 5500 (40 GALLON)
750-1100
50
1800-5000
900-1200
A high-efficiency air conditioner
can cut energy use by:
20%
TO
50%
A water heater makes up about:
14%
of a home’s
energy usage
the third highest energy use in the average home.
Carbon footprint breakdown, per the EPA in 2009
HOME ENERGY USE
27%
20%
PURCHASE
19%
TRANSPORTATION
15%
SERVICES
14%
RECREATION
5%
FOOD & DRINK
Since energy efficiency standards were developed, consumers have:
saved
$200 billion
$2,000
per household
Even without new energy efficiencies, these numbers are
expected to double in the next 20 years.
Toilets account for up to:
30%
of indoor, residential water usage.
Toilets made before 1992 use about:
3.5
GALLONS
of water per flush.
Faucets account for:
about 1 trillion gallons of water per year
throughout the United States.
15%
WaterSense faucets can reduce water usage by:
If all households in the U.S. replaced their faucets with WaterSense faucets, consumers would save:
$350
MILLION
60
BILLION
gallons of water every year
This 60 billion gallon water savings could provide public water for a city the size of Miami for 150 days.
1
www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/publications/pubdocs/ES%20bi-fold%20031313%20FINAL%20for%20print%20rev.pdf, p. 2, fig. 2.
2
www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0072-shopping-home-appliances-use-energyguide-label
3
www.energystar.gov/certified-products/how-product-earns-label?c=products.pr_how_earn
4
www.energy.gov/energysaver/articles/estimating-appliance-and-home-electronic-energy-use
5
www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=windows_doors.pr_benefits
6
www.fcs.tamu.edu/housing/efficient_housing/equipment_and_appliances/energy_star_appliances.php
7
www.nrdc.org/air/energy/fappl.asp
8
www.energystar.gov/?c=tax_credits.tx_index
9
www.epa.gov/greenhomes/ConserveWater.htm
2x
Typical annual savings when replacing:
SINGLE-PANE WINDOWS
DOUBLE-PANE, CLEAR
GLASS WINDOWS
$146-$501 $71-$247
59 to 196
gallons of gas
35 to 144
gallons of gas
692-2,825
pounds of CO2
1,147-3,839
pounds of CO2
created by
30%
30%
ENERGY STAR
SAVING MONEY
SAVING ENERGY
SAVING THE ENVIRONMENT
SOURCES