Introduction - Home Energy Information - page 6

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NaturalGas EI = therms 1 × 00 000 , / SFDD ×

By using these formulas we are actually calculating or “measuring” the num-
ber of BTUs consumed for each square foot of area and each degree day for each
month for each energy source. In doing so, we remove or normalize the variations in
home size and temperature from our analysis of energy consumption. We can now
compare our consumption over time no matter what temperature change occurred
month to month. We can also compare energy consumption from home to home no
matter what the difference in area. Since we converted the energy units to BTUs we
can add these energy source EIs together to get an HEI for the entire home. This is
the number that is important. It's the number we strive to lower each month. Each
month that our HEI is lower than the previous month we are on the right path to
conserving energy.

1.5 Conserving Energy

Any homeowner can take steps to lower their HEI, conserve energy and help protect
our environment. Coal provides 40 % of the worlds electricity and 44 % of the car-
bon dioxide (CO 2 ) emitted by fossil fuels comes from coal, the cheapest and dirtiest
fuel [3]. CO 2 is the chemical byproduct of carbon oxidation (burning). Coal is nearly
pure carbon. After we learn how to analyze our energy consumption we can start
conserving, observing the results and feel good about our efforts to reduce these
dangerous emissions. Evaluating our energy consumption throughout the year leads
to clues about where we need to seal , insulate and replace items. A good place to
start looking is in the attics, basements or crawlspaces. We can also make improve-
ments in the yard and with our windows and doors. Every little bit helps and for
each small improvement we lower our energy costs as well. Annual energy cost in
the U.S. for a typical home is $ 2,200. Half of that is heating and cooling [4]. Seal-
ing leaks in the home is the best way to start saving on our heating and cooling bills.
A good portion of the heating and cooling losses in the home are due to air
leaks. Leaks occur around windows, doors, wiring, siding, chimneys, foundations
and any place that is a barrier to the outside. One of the best ways to find them is
to just walk around your home looking for cracks in the foundation or gaps around
windows and doors. Sealing these up from the outside with caulking will stop the
“bad” outside air from entering your home and the “good” inside air from escaping.
On the inside, look for worn or missing weather stripping and gaps around pipes
or wires leading under the house. You can find these leaks from the inside using a
thermal leak detector as well. During the times of the year when temperatures are
extreme just point the detector around the edges of windows and doors and look for
changes in temperature readings. This is also a good way to find areas of the home
that need more insulation.