Public Housing Energy Conservation Clearinghouse

News

As the cost of heating your home or apartment continues to climb, these suggestions can ease the burden on you and your family. Isn’t it nice to know that saving energy does more than just save you money; saving energy also saves resources. Using less energy causes less pollution, creates less acid rain and decreases global warming.

1. Wash clothes in cold water. You might guess that most of the energy used by a washing machine goes into vigorously swishing the clothes around. In fact, about 90 percent of it is spent elsewhere, heating the water for the load. You can save substantially by washing and rinsing at cooler temperatures.


2. Switch to compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) A single bulb can save from $25 to $45 over its life. Manufacturers claim that CFLs last between 5 and 13 times longer than standard incandescent bulbs.


3. Don't over dry your laundry. Clothes will need less ironing and hold up better if you remove them from the dryer while they're still just a bit damp.


4. Let the dishwasher do the work. Don't bother prerinsing dishes with the idea that your dishwasher will work less hard. It has been found that this added step can waste 20 gallons of heated water a day.


5. Put your PC to sleep. Keep your computer and its monitor in sleep mode rather than leaving them on around the clock. You stand to use 80 percent less electricity, which over the course of a year could have the effect of cutting CO2 emissions by up to 1,250 pounds, according to EPA estimates.


6. Turn down the heat in the winter, and turn down the cool in the summer. Lower the thermostat 5° to 10° F when you're sleeping or are out of the house. A 10° decrease can cut your heating bill by as much as 20 percent.


7. Spend less for hot water. Set the hot water heater at 120° F (or the "low" setting), which is hot enough for most needs. If the tank feels warm to the touch, consider wrapping it with conventional insulation or a blanket made for that purpose. To help conserve the water's heat on its way to the faucets, insulate the plumbing with pipe sleeves; with these, you can raise the end-use temperature by 2° to 4° F.


8. Think twice before turning on the oven. Heating food in the microwave uses only 20 percent of the energy required by a full-sized oven. While the second-hand heat from the oven may be welcomed in winter, it can put an added load on your air conditioner in warmer months.


9. Dust off the Crock-Pot. Slow cooking in a Crock-Pot uses a lot less energy than simmering on the stove.


10. Clean the coils on your refrigerator using a tapered appliance brush. Your fridge's motor won't have to run as long or as often. In addition to saving energy dollars, you'll prolong the life of the appliance.

Federal Partnership Saves Energy for 337,000 U.S. Households

According to the first annual review of the Partnerships for Home Energy Efficiency (PHEE), released in October, PHAs invested close to $350 million in energy performance contracts in 2006, with an estimated savings of $37 million. The number of PHAs entering into energy performance contracts has increased by an average of 24 percent since 2000.

Homes account for about 21 percent of U.S. energy use and cause about 17 percent of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. The PHEE, a joint effort of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), aims to reduce the energy consumption of the average home 10 percent by 2015. Meeting this goal would save $20 billion a year in utility costs, increase the affordability and comfort of homes, reduce demand for natural gas by nearly 1 percent of total U.S. energy demand, and avoid greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to the emissions from over 25 million vehicles.

The combined efforts of the three agencies have improved the energy efficiency of more than 337,000 homes and apartments across the United States over the past year alone.

Role of Energy Conservation in the Transition to Asset Management

The upcoming transition to asset management will align public housing with operations and management models commonly found in private housing to increase profitability and managerial flexibility. PHAs manage real estate assets. Reducing PHA operating costs, improves profitability ratios, which equates to increasing the asset value of the property. Increased asset value translates into better quality housing for tenants to live in and for PHAs to manage.

Energy conservation and energy efficiency go hand and glove with asset management. Utility costs account for 23% of PHAs operating expenditures, which make energy and water conservation important tools for controlling these costs at the property level. Utilities are property based. Tracking and monitoring utilities at the property level will enhance the PHA’s capacity to control energy and water consumption and related costs.

The ability to reduce operating costs and retain savings under the new 24 CFR 990 will encourage PHAs to take advantage of financial incentives and strategies for reducing utility consumption. Energy Performance Contracts (EPC), managed through energy service companies (ESCOs) or the PHA are important tools in a PHA’s toolbox for controlling utility and maintenance costs. HUD has seen the number of PHAs with an EPC project increase significantly since 2000.

In addition, the Federal Energy Policy Act of 2005 extends the allowable payback period for EPCs from 12 to 20 years, and PIH Notice 2006-06 provides such guidance. This longer payback period makes EPCs more financially attractive for small and medium size PHAs and can generate funding to incorporate more energy-saving retrofits into any EPC.