Hey Jude... Q & A with our Energy Expert

Q: Are heat pumps a good investment? And how does this compare to geothermal? How do I determine what to invest in?

A: Absolutely! When you compare a heat pump's efficiency (approximately 150-400%) to an electric furnace (100%) or a gas furnace (95-96%), it is easy to see they are good investments.

The big question is which heat pump is right for your needs. There are basically three types of heat pumps-

Geothermal is a ground source heat pump and is the most efficient way to heat and cool your home. These systems operate at approximately 400% efficiency.

Mini split heat pumps come as ductless or ducted models. These ductless models are a tad more efficient because there are no ducts, so there is no duct loss.

The more common air source split systems are what we see in most homes today. These units range in efficiencies anywhere from 150-200%.

As with any heating or cooling system, sizing is extremely important, so be sure to have your contractor perform a load calculation to get the right amount of BTUs needed.

Have a question for our Energy Expert? Send it to info@owenelectric.com.

Q: I've heard of a blower door test- what is it, and how will it help me save money on my energy bill?

A: A blower door test is one ay to help determine how efficient your home is. The blower door is a fan that depressurizes the house, thus allowing a technician to measure the amount of air leakage within it.

At times, the blower door is used in conjunction with an infrared camera to get a better visual of the air leakage. With the blower door test, we can find the exact amount of air leakage within the house AND pinpoint the big holes. This shows the homeowner where to start sealing the house- think windows, doors, sill plates, plumbing penetrations, etc.

For years, all states had code requirements for insulation levels, but only within the last few years have there been code requirements for air infiltration. We know that both insulation and air infiltration go hand in hand when making your home more efficient, more comfortable and healthier.

Have a question for our Energy Expert? Send it to info@owenelectric.com.

Q: If I'm planning to build, is there any reason to call Owen Electric before I start moving dirt?

A: Absolutely. When building a new home today, we need to think about the entire life of the home- approximately 50 years! And, we need to think about the comfort and operating costs of that home.

With Owen Electric's Touchstone Energy Home program, we incorporate guidelines that will save the homeowner up to 30 percent in utility costs compared to standard building codes.

We also take into consideration comfort and moisture issues, and can help with renewable energy sources if the member is interested.

Added insulation, air sealing, high efficiency HVAC equipment, and ENERGY STAR appliances are just a few of the items we discuss. And the best part? We offer a cash rebate when these incentives are met.

Find out more about the Touchstone Energy Home program and other rebates at https://www.owenelectric.com/efficiency-rebate-programs

Have a question for our Energy Expert? Send it to info@owenelectric.com.

Q: What are the benefits of having a home energy audit performed? Are the suggested improvements going to be expensive?

A: There are many benefits of having a home energy audit. The first reason is peace of mind. Just how efficient and healthy is your home? Without testing and building science knowledge (how your house works as a system), you are really just guessing.

If you have any comfort issues (a hot or cold room), a home energy audit may provide details that are not seen with an untrained eye.

And what we think about most- money. What are you spending on heating and cooling costs? Is your HVAC system running at its designed load? What is the daily cost of living in your home? an energy audit can help answer all of these questions for you.

As for improvement costs, there are a lot of variables involved. But an energy audit usually can give you an idea of these costs and may be able to guide you to funding opportunities, such as rebates, tax incentives, qualifying programs, etc.

Ready to schedule your FREE home energy audit? Call us at (800) 372-7612, option 4, or go to https://www.owenelectric.com/request-home-energy-audit to request your appointment.

Have a question for our Energy Expert? Send it our way at info@owenelectric.com.

Q: How can I be as efficient as possible with a window air conditioner? How do I know what size to get?

A: As with all home appliances, ENERGY STAR is the way to go. When an appliance has an ENERGY STAR rating, it is 30 percent more efficient than the standard model. Over the life of the appliance, this can add up to substantial savings in energy costs.

When looking at window a/c unit options, you have multiple things to consider- size; noise level; energy savings options (sleep mode); ease of use (remote control); and fan only option, to name a few.

When it comes to sizing, most units are between 5,000 BTU and 14,000BTU. These will efficiently cool rooms between 150 and 700 square feet. These measurements can be found on the box or by an easy internet search.

As with most appliances, the more bells and whistles (ease of use items listed above), the more expensive it will be to purchase.

Another option to consider is the portable room air conditioner. There are multiple similarities with the window units, but installation is usually easier, and you can move the unit from room to room. The one negative aspect may be the floor space it takes up.

Have a question for our Energy Expert? Send it our way at info@owenelectric.com!

Q: How do I know when I need to replace the windows in my house, and what do I look for when I start shopping?

A: There are multiple reasons that you replace the windows in your home- aesthetics, sound proofing, and energy efficiency. If you're looking at aesthetics, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and there are multiple designs to fit the most finicky buyer! Along with looking more modern, you should be able to recoup approximately 35-40 percent of the cost in resale value.

Sound proofing may be one of the most underrated advantages of newer windows. You'll be amazed at how well newer windows lower outside noise due to more efficient framing and more panes of glass.

Now, for those looking at energy efficiency... Today's energy code requires windows to be double pane, low E coated, with a U value of .35 or less (U value for windows is the equivalent of R value for insulation). The lower the U value, the more efficient the window.

I always suggest getting multiple bids when replacing windows, and I also strongly recommend that you consider weatherizing your current double pane windows. A tube of caulk goes a long way in keeping the drafts out of the house. Remember, air doesn't go through the glass- only the four corners where the window sits in the wall framing and along the rails where the window slides up and down.

Have a question for our Energy Expert? Send it our way: info@owenelectric.com.

Q: I'm looking to rent a home or apartment in a complex; what questions should I ask the landlord or manager to make sure I don't end up with high electric bills? Also, is there anything I can do to make a rented space more efficient, since I can't make any real physical upgrades or long-term investments?

A: When renting an apartment, I think you need to look at the things you can control verses the things you can't control. First, let's talk about those things you can't control- the physical structure and appliances. Knowing this, it may be a good idea to ask how old the apartment units are. Or have they been updated in recent years? The newer the unit, the newer the building codes, which should lead to more efficient insulation, windows, HVAC equipment, appliances, etc. Newly remodeled units could also provide these energy-saving features.

Now for the things you can control; first, start at the thermostat. We recommend a setting of 68 degrees for winter and 75 degrees for summer cooling. The HVAC fan should be left on 'auto.' Depending on the type of heating, for every one degree you lower the thermostat in winter, you can save up to 3 percent on our heating bill! Next, think about lighting. With LED bulbs so inexpensive, it makes sense to replace all lighting with LED units. Also, don't forget about phantom load. You know, all those cable boxes, gaming devices, laptops, phone chargers, etc. They all add up! The easy way to check this? Walk through your place at night- all those red and green lights are costing you money!

Question for our expert? Send it our way: info@owenelectric.com.

Q: I just received my stimulus check of $1,400 and would like to use it to make some energy efficiency improvements around my home. What can I do to get the most bang for my buck?

A: Spring is a time for home improvements and safety-- let's start with safety. If your current smoke/carbon monoxide detector is more than 10 years old, it's time for a replacement. The cost is approximately $100 for a new combination model; just be sure you have at least one on each floor of your home.

Next, let's look at the insulation in your attic. Current Kentucky building code calls for an R38, while ENERGY STAR recommends an R46. If you are on the low side of these, you can add an R19 for about $600 (blown fiberglass, 1500 square foot attic). Don't forget to check with Owen Electric to see if you qualify for the Button-Up program.

While we are insulating the home, how about doing a little air sealing around doors, windows, electrical wiring holes, water lines, etc. Basically anywhere there is a hole, you want to seal it. An entire case of caulk will cost around $50.

As the weather gets warmer, it's time to ensure your A/C system is correctly charged, cleaned and running at maximum efficiency. A system check will cost approximately $100.

Finally, since we know that domestic water heating is the second largest use of energy in the home, spend $5-$10 and insulate the hot water line.

With all this done, you still have a few dollars left to enjoy your favorite summer activity!

Question for our expert? Send it our way: info@owenelectric.com.

Q: I need to replace my water heater- what should I look for when I go shopping? Are tankless water heaters a good option?

A: Domestic water heating is the second highest use of energy in your home, behind space heating and cooling. With this in mind, it is important to look for a higher energy factor (EF) when choosing your standard tanked water heater.

Most tanked water heater models today are in the .94-.96 range. These come in 50-55 gallon models with a 6-12 year warranty. If possible, you will want to place your tanked water heater inside a conditioned space; this will improve efficiency and longevity.

While tanked water heaters are still the norm in today's housing market, tankless water heaters are growing in popularity. If you are interested in a tankless model, I would suggest going with a gas-fired unit- these will produce a higher gallons per minute (GPM) flow than an electric model.

Keep in mind there may be more maintenance issues with a tankless model, as it is essentially a furnace that runs water through it. As for cost savings, the tankless model will save you approximately $2 per month in "standby loss," or the amount of energy it takes to keep the water hot inside the tanked unit.

You may want to consider the total cost of installation as well- purchase cost; electrical upgrades to your home; maintenance costs; and upgrades to your cooperative's electrical system (transformer, conductor, etc.) before you purchase a tankless water heater.

Question for our expert? Send it our way: info@owenelectric.com.

Q: How often should I change my HVAC filter, and does it really make that big of a difference?

A: Forced air heating and cooling systems need adequate return air to work as designed and to offer the highest energy efficiency. How often you change the filter really depends on the filter you're using. Fiberglass models allow more air to pass through- along with contaminates- thus needing to be changed LESS often. Pleated filters catch more contaminates, but also suppress the amount of air flow, and thus need to be changed MORE often.

When looking at HVAC filters, the higher the MERV rating, the smaller particles it will filter. Things to consider would be:

-Are there pets in the home?

-Does anyone smoke?

-Does anyone have allergies?

-How airtight is the home?

-Is the ductwork in a conditioned or unconditioned space?

Obviously a lot of things to consider! Most manufacturers recommend changing the filter every 30 days, with the exception of high-end HEPA filters, but that is talking 30 days of RUN time. In late March, April, early May, late September, early October, your system doesn't run as much. During these times, if you're changing your filter every 60 days, you will be fine.

Check out filters here, http://www.filterchange.com/, and get free shipping and returns as a co-op member!

Question for our expert? Send it our way: info@owenelectric.com.