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About The Blue Mountain eagle. (John Day, Or.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (May 30, 2018)
Blue Mountain Eagle Wednesday, May 30, 2018 A9 HOME & GARDEN Making your home energy efficient Insulation, window and heating system tips By Richard Hanners Blue Mountain Eagle mproving the energy effi- ciency of a home can save residents thousands of dol- lars in the long run, but while some steps are simple and don’t even require tools, other steps may require the assis- tance of professional contrac- tors and technicians. According to Touchstone Energy Cooperatives, heat- ing and cooling accounts for about 56 percent of home energy costs on a national average, with appliances and lighting accounting for 23 per- cent, water heating 16 percent and refrigeration 5 percent. Homeowners should re- view the previous year’s utili- ty bills to see how their mon- ey was spent on energy use. Based on the national aver- age, a homeowner who spent $2,500 a year for home energy would have paid about $1,400 for heating and cooling, $575 for appliances and lighting, $400 for heating water and $125 for refrigeration. There are simple steps that can be taken to save on energy bills. Air that moves through cracks, crevices and holes, for example, can increase energy consumption. Homeowners should seal openings around pipes or cables that pass through exterior walls and en- sure weather-stripping around doors and windows is tight. When a fireplace is not operating, the flue should be closed tightly, with a warning sign hung from the flue han- dle. Outside dryer vent doors should close when a dryer is not in use, which means peri- odically removing lint accu- mulation. Attic fans should be sealed tightly during winter, and crawlspace vents should be closed in winter and re- opened in summer. I Insulation Home insulation, whether it’s fiberglass batts, foam pan- els or loose-fill cellulose, is rated by an “R” value. Home- owners with R-19 or less in- sulation in their attics should consider bringing it up to R-38 in moderate climates and R-49 in cold climates. In cold cli- mates, homeowners with R-11 or less floor insulation should consider bringing it up to R-25. Tyler Sheedy Construction of John Day uses a high-pow- ered fan to blow loose-fill cel- lulose into attics and walls of new and existing homes. The work can often be done in a day or two, depending on the size and layout of a home. “Loose-fill cellulose is made of recycled paper that has been treated with borate for fire and insects,” Sheedy eH The outdoor unit of a mini- split heat pump mounted on a concrete pad on the south side of a house. said. The cellulose material doesn’t decompose and does a better job of filling in small spaces than fiberglass batts. The ease of installation also makes it more cost efficient than fiberglass, he said. “I bring in bags by the semi-load,” he said, noting that he recently insulated the attic space at the John Day Se- nior Center. Windows A significant amount of heat is lost through windows. Homeowners with single-pane windows should consider tightening and weather-strip- ping older windows and add- ing storm windows. The best option, however, is to replace single-glazed windows with new double-glazed windows. Mobile Glass of John Day can swap out older windows in a matter of days, depending on the size of the home and how many windows are locat- ed on upper floors. New win- dows will fit into the existing frame and trim, so there’s no need to change interior sheet- rock or exterior siding. The insulating value of a window is called the U-fac- tor, Billy Hickerson said. To qualify for energy rebates, the U-factor must be below 0.29, with argon gas between the panes and a Low-E 366 coating on the interior pane to reflect infrared radiation. While windows with Low-E glass generally cost 10 to 15 percent more than windows with standard glass, they can increase energy efficiency by 30 to 50 percent. “The Low-E coating not only keeps homes warmer in winter and cooler in summer but also protects carpeting and furniture from fading,” Hickerson said. Mobile Glass also installs pre-hung energy-efficient doors with a fiberglass core and double-pane glass. Heating systems Heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment account for a large portion of a homeowner’s energy bills. Homeowners should be aware of potential problems but rely on a profes- sional technician for proper maintenance. HVAC systems should be checked to verify they are moving the correct amount of air. A technician can check for duct leaks and seal them with fiberglass mesh and mastic sealant. Heat pump systems should be checked annually to ver- ify they are charged in ac- cordance with manufacturer guidelines. Inside and outside heat pump coils should be kept clean and free of debris. Gas and oil furnaces should be tuned for maximum com- bustion efficiency, and return filters should be changed monthly. A major improvement to heating and cooling bills can come from installing a mini- split heat pump, which can be readily installed without ductwork. While the state mandates that heat pumps have a seasonal energy effi- ciency rating (SEER) of 14, newer mini-splits range from 18 to 22 SEER, said Matt Turner of MD Enterprises in Canyon City. “The unit in my house was putting out 80-degree air when the temperature outside was 15 below,” Turner said. Installation of a mini-split r e a w d r a Home and garden, and everything in between... 652 W . Mai n St., John Day heat pump can be completed in a day or two depending on the size and layout of a house. Outside units can be mounted on a concrete pad or hung on a wall. A single outdoor unit can be connected to multi- ple heads located in differ- ent rooms and controlled by different thermostats, Turner said. Assistance programs Energy assistance pro- grams can help residents pay for the energy efficiency im- provements needed in their homes. Oregon Trail Electrical Co- operative has completed more than 25,000 member-initiated conservation projects since 1989 for homes where electrici- ty is the primary source of heat. Rebates and assistance are available from OTEC for mini- split ductless heat pumps, in- sulation, windows and smart thermostats used with electric forced-air furnaces. These financial incentive programs and criteria as well as the amount of rebates change regularly. For more informa- tion, contact Susie Snyder at the OTEC office in John Day Rick Turner of MD Enterprises in Canyon City with the outdoor unit of a mini-split heat pump capable of heating a home in minus 15 degree weather. at 541-575-5426 or visit otecc. com. The Low Income Home En- ergy Assistance Program, fund- ed through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is designed to help low-income households with home heating costs. Both homeowners and renters are eligible. To be eligible for energy assistance through LIHEAP, a household’s income must be at or below 60 percent of Or- egon´s median income, which is based on household size and income. A household also must provide documented energy costs. For more information on LIHEAP, contact Communi- ty Connection of Northeast Oregon through the Grant County Senior Center in John Day at 541-575-2949 or visit oregon.gov/ohcs/Pages/low-in- come-energy-assistance-ore- gon.aspx. For more information on local contractors, call Tyler Sheedy Construction at 541- 620-1811, Mobile Glass at 541-575-1055 and MD Enter- prises at 541-575-2010. Find your Findtspringtsavingstonteverythingtyoutneedt totsprucetuptyourthome,tinsidetandtout! 120tE.tMaintStreett•tJohntDayt•t541-575-0629 M-Ft9-6t•tSatt10-4t•tClosedtSundays Grant County Building Supply TOOLS & HARDWARE LAWN & GARDEN BUILDING & LUMBER HOME IMPROVEMENT 124 N. Clark St., Canyon City 541-575-3550 GIBCO Ag & Industrial 312 N. Canyon City Blvd. Canyon City 541-575-2050 Fencing Solutions Ac Nyd ams Eagle photos/Richard Hanners Billy Hickerson of Mobile Glass with a set of double-pane energy-efficient windows on his truck ready for an installation. For Your Farm Mon-Fri 8-6 Sun 10-3 Farm, Ranch & Irrigation Supplies Fertilizer Pet & Livestock Feed Dedicated to quality, service and selection for 35 years.
