Logan recommends these 10 no-cost, energy-saving measures.
Should I add more insulation to my water heater?
“There is really no easy way to determine the economic benefits of adding insulation,” said Dennis Matteson, extension specialist in small business energy at Kansas State University.
Because older water heaters usually have less insulation, they provide more savings when insulation is added to them. New heaters usually have more insulation and higher efficiency ratings.
To check for energy losses, carefully feel the side of your water heater. If the surface is cool, the insulation is adequate. A warm or hot surface indicates greater losses, which means you can probably help reduce these losses by adding insulation.
“When adding insulation to a gas or propane heater, insulate only the sides and leave the top and bottom expose,” Matteson said. “If your water heater is electric, you can safely cover all of it.
“When installing any insulation, avoid covering the safety relief, drain valves or electrical access boxes.”
October 8, 1995
Can I guarantee access to the sun for my solar collectors?
Yes.
“In 1977, the Kansas legislature passed a law creating solar easements,” said Bruce Snead, extension specialist in residential energy at Kansas State University. “The law is intended to guarantee permanent access to the sun for your solar system.”
A solar easement establishes a space above properties adjacent to yours to prohibit the construction of buildings or other obstructions. This space is defined by vertical and horizontal angles projecting from the solar device on your property, with the angles relating to the year-round positions of the sun. The defined easement must be in writing and recorded with the register of deeds in the county in which your property is located.
“Obviously, the approval and agreement of the owner whose property is subject to the easement must be obtained,” Snead said.
The act that created the easement law is in Chapter 58, Article 38 of the Kansas Statute Book.
Is it safe to use an old, brick chimney as a flue for a wood furnace?
“Yes, but only if no other combustion equipment, such as a gas furnace or water heater, is connected to it,” said Doug Walter, a Kansas State University extension specialist in residential energy.
“The chimney must be in good repair with no loose bricks, cracks or other indications of decay. You should clean out soot, creosote, leaves, bird nests and other materials,” he said.
In cross section, the chimney should be at least as large—preferably 25 percent larger—as the stove pipe connected to it.
The chimney can achieve proper draft only if its top is at least three feet above the highest point where it passes through the roof and at least two feet higher than any portion of the house within 10 feet of the chimney, according to Walter.
October 15, 1995
What should be done to prepare my furnace for winter?
"The general inspection of the furnace before any heating season is important as well as periodic checks during the heating season," said Dennis Matteson, extension specialist in small business energy at Kansas State University.
Turn off the electricity to the furnace before the inspection. Inspect all motors, pulleys and belts for wear.
"Oil bearings that require annual oiling, and replace filters," Matteson said. "Make sure the chimney is free of debris."
If the furnace has a continuous pilot, you should find lighting instructions next to the burner, he said. After lighting the pilot, replace all covers, turn on the power, set the thermostat above room temperature, and listen for the furnace to turn on. There will be a short delay (less than two minutes), depending on how long it takes the furnace to warm the burner. When the furnace is warm, the fan will begin operating, he said. Be sure to close off vents in unoccupied areas.
“If you have a whole house fan, disconnect the power to it in order to avoid operating both the fan and the furnace at the same time,” Matteson said.
What energy savings can I expect if I put polyethylene plastic film over existing storm windows?
"A layer of polyethylene can increase the R-value of a single-glazed window with an aluminum storm window from 1.7 to 2.6." said Bruce Snead. extension specialist in residential energy at Kansas State University.
"If you do it yourself for about one dollar, you can expect this measure to pay for itself about twice during one heating season," he added.
The simplest installation method is to tape the plastic to the window frame on the room side. Seal all the edges well.
October 22, 1995
What is meant by the energy inflation rate?
“Energy inflation is the rate at which energy costs are rising in relation to general inflation,” said Dennis Matteson, extension specialist in small business energy at Kansas State University.
This rate depends on several factors, including the type of fuel, construction of new generation facilities and the price of the raw fuel.
“The important factor, however, is how this increase compares with the general inflation rate,” Matteson said.
Many economists believe fuel costs will be five to seven percent greater than the general inflation rate. This difference is important in determining the real energy cost savings. For example, if you are paying $100 a month for fuel now, and use 15 percent for fuel inflation, in 2000 your fuel costs will be approximately $200.
“If fuel costs were rising at the same rate as general inflation—at seven percent a year—you would be paying $140 for the fuel in 2000,” Matteson said. “This difference of $60 is the portion due to fuel inflation cost.”
To evaluate an investment in energy conservation accurately, you will need to consider not only the rates for energy inflation and general inflation, but also your tax bracket and the interest rate on borrowed money or the interest paid for invested money.
During the past five years energy costs have been below the general inflation rate.
How much does it cost to operate an electric range?
“Many electric utilities have estimates for average appliance usage,” said Doug Walter, extension specialist in residential energy at Kansas State University.
The Edison Electric Institute assigns these yearly values for appliances: electric range, 700 kilowatt hours; microwave oven, 190; refrigerator with freezer, 2,000; freezer, 1,500; washing machine, 100; water heater, 4,500.
“To calculate your yearly cost, multiply the annual kilowatt hours of consumption by your cost per kilowatt hour,” Walter said. “For example, if you are paying 8¢ per kilowatt hour, the cost of operating your electric range would be 700 x 8¢, or $56 a year.”
October 29, 1995
What kind of insulation should I use in a simple solar air-heating collector?
“Insulation for a solar collector should be selected with careful regard for the material’s ability to withstand heat,” said Bruce Snead, extension specialist in residential energy at Kansas State University.
The insulation also should have as high an R-value as possible in a minimal thickness to help reduce the depth of the collector frame and improve the collector’s ability to retain heat.
Stagnation temperature in sloped collectors can reach more than 400 degrees during the summer, and this heat can cause degradation, outgassing, deformation and possible combustion in some insulations. Outgassing is caused when chemicals in the collector are exposed to heat and a gas is emitted.
The products most commonly used are fiber glass batts and polyisocyanurate foam boards with foil facings.
“The fiber glass is a special type that has no glues or binders that can vaporize at high temperatures and then condense on cooler surfaces like the collector glazing,” Snead said.
The polyisocyanurate foam boards have foil facing to reflect heat and improve the effectiveness of the insulation, and to protect the foam from higher temperatures. Extruded and expanded polystyrene foam boards are not suitable to use in solar collectors because they will deform and outgas when exposed to heat or sunlight. Urethane foam boards suffer from outgassing problems at typical collector temperatures.
“It is always wise to contact the engineering branch of the manufacturing company if you are planning to use an insulation product in a solar collector application,” Snead said.
How much does it cost to heat a water bed?
“This depends on many factors,” said Tom Logan, energy specialist in Engineering Extension at Kansas State University.
According to Logan, a king-size bed with two blankets will lose about 300,000 to 500,000 Btu per month if kept at 90 degrees Fahrenheit in a 70-degree room. At current Kansas electricity prices (about 8 cents per kilowatt hour), that translates into $7 to $12 a month.
“Actually, the net cost would be somewhat less because heat lost from the bed would offset heat normally supplied by a home’s furnace anyway,” Logan said.