15 Minute Leader Lesson

15 MinuteLeader Lesson

Win it in a minute:Conserve resourceswith home energy management

Managing home heat

Did you know that the typical U.S. family spends about

$1,900 a year on home utility bills?

Source: US Department of Energy

Did you know that the typical U.S. family spends about

$1,900 a year on home utility bills?

Unfortunately, a large portion of that energy is wasted…

Source: US Department of Energy

Prioritizing

Common denominators

Unique needs

Unique needs

Unique needs

Let’s concentrate on the “important few”for average consumers

12

3

Space heating

BIG IMPACT stuff to do in a minute (or a few minutes) to control space heating

Set the heat to 68 degrees when you are at home; set it lower when you are away and at night

Consider using a programmable thermostat

Source: http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/space_heating_cooling/index.cfm/mytopic=12720

WAIT A MINUTE!

Aren’t you just wasting energy when you’re adjusting the thermostat so much?

Isn’t lots of energy being wasted bringing the house back to temperature? It takes too long for the house to warm up!

Thermostat Controls

Setting the temperature a few degrees down (or up in summer) for extended periods can save energy

Easily done with programmable thermostats

MORE BIG IMPACT stuff to do in a minute (or a few minutes) to control space heating

Check insulation levels in your attic

If you can see rafters, you need more insulation

Put on a sweater!

MORE BIG IMPACT stuff to do in a minute (or a few minutes) to control space heating

• Check for hidden leaks• Think about the

building envelope!• Consider holes,

cracks, drafts, etc.• Check for obvious air

leaks: Flashlight method; feather; incense stick

EVEN More Ways to Reduce Space Heating Costs

Change filtersClose damperSchedule tune-upsSchedule duct work

inspection

One more thing!

Check the operation of your heating and cooling system with a fairly simple test…

Let’s take a moment…

Please name one thing that you would be willing to do to save home heating energy!

Please fill in evaluation

Thank you!