The Home Energy Diet: How to Save Money by Making Your House Energy-Smart

The Home Energy Diet: How to Save Money by Making Your House Energy-Smart

by Paul Scheckel
The Home Energy Diet: How to Save Money by Making Your House Energy-Smart

The Home Energy Diet: How to Save Money by Making Your House Energy-Smart

by Paul Scheckel

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Overview

An energy auditor’s guide to using less, saving more, and choosing appliances and systems that will make your home healthier and more efficient.

Many homeowners are beginning to examine the energy efficiency of their own homes, asking questions about where energy comes from and how much it costs, how to choose new appliances, and what options exist for renewable energy.

The Home Energy Diet answers all these questions and more while helping readers take control of their personal energy use and costs so they can save money, live more comfortably, and help the environment. Energy auditor Paul Scheckel first explores energy literacy, and then describes how your home uses—and loses—energy you pay for via electricity, hot water, heating, air conditioning, windows, walls, and insulation.

Energy efficiency is an investment that offers returns greater than Wall Street—and readers can potentially earn several hundred dollars every year just by following the advice in this book. As a bonus, many of these strategies, habits, and upgrades can make for improved indoor air quality and healthier, more comfortable homes.

“A valuable resource [with a] humorous and down-to-earth style.” —Jim Gunshinan, managing editor, Home Energy


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781550923179
Publisher: New Society Publishers
Publication date: 12/15/2020
Series: Mother Earth News Books for Wiser Living
Sold by: Barnes & Noble
Format: eBook
Pages: 321
File size: 4 MB

About the Author

Paul Scheckel is an energy auditor who has visited over 3,000 homes, educating people about energy efficiency, cost-effective improvements, and indoor air quality. With a passion for energy efficiency, he walks the talk by living in a solar-powered house and driving a car powered by vegetable oil, in his home state of Vermont.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgmentsix
Introduction1
Chapter 1Energy Literacy9
Primary Fuels9
Measuring Energy10
The Big Picture12
Where Does Energy Come From?18
Where Does the Energy Go?27
Home Energy Matters30
Comparing Fuel Energy and Costs36
Increase Efficiency, Reduce Waste51
How Heat Moves52
Next Steps55
Chapter 2Electricity57
Introduction to Using Electricity in Your Home57
Terms58
Awareness: The Big Picture64
Where Does Electricity Go?67
Powerful Impacts68
Assessing Electric Use of Appliances72
Electrical Energy Audit90
Electrical Diet93
Home Power Safety94
Chapter 3Appliance Energy Use99
Power Use of Household Appliances99
Common Electrical Appliances99
Clothes Dryer Diet101
Clothes Washer Diet103
Dehumidifier Diet105
Dishwasher Diet106
Lighting Diet111
Cooking Diet116
Waterbed Diet119
Refrigerator and Freezer Diet120
Chapter 4Hot Water125
Introduction125
Awareness: The Big Picture126
Types of Water Heaters127
Maintaining Your Water Heater137
Water Heater Efficiency Measures149
How to Choose a New Water Heater158
Your Hot Water and Energy Consumption161
Hot Water Diet169
Chapter 5Heating and Air Conditioning171
Introduction171
Awareness: The Big Picture171
What Determines Home Heating Energy Consumption?173
Types of Heating Systems176
Efficiency Ratings for Heating Systems185
Efficiency Improvements186
Combustion Equipment and Fuel Safety191
Buying New200
Combustion Equipment Safety Diet201
Heating Diet206
Air Conditioning208
Air Conditioning Diet215
Chapter 6The Envelope, Please217
Introduction217
Terms218
Awareness218
Assessment221
Insulation225
Windows234
Air Leakage240
Envelope Improvement Assessment245
Air Leakage Diet247
Air and Moisture Movement248
Reducing Air and Moisture Movement250
Relative Humidity and Moisture Control255
Indoor Air Quality256
Ventilation259
Ice Dams and Icicles265
Diet For a Warm, Dry, Healthy Envelope269
How to Perform a Heat Load Calculation on Your Home269
Chapter 7Buying New Appliances271
How to Buy A New Appliance271
Checklist for Choosing a New Energy-Efficient Appliance275
Financial Incentive276
Off-Grid Economics281
Appendix AHow Much Energy Do You Use?284
Appendix BYour Greenhouse Gas Profile287
Appendix CAppliance Use Chart290
Appendix DHeat-Load Calculations for Your House296
Index303
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