Something that is not as widely spoken of, however, is maintaining your dryer. We all know that as a kid learning how to do laundry, our moms told us to “always clean the lint trap”. Some of us loved seeing the lint pulled from clothes, and others didn’t want to have anything to do with it. One thing’s for sure though: mom probably didn’t explain WHY you were supposed to clean that out. Not only does it help keep future clothes lint-free, but it also helps your dryer do the best job it can. A clogged lint trap reduces the efficiency of the dryer, and can also start a fire (yes, it has happened). So next time you go to do a load of laundry, give your dryer some love and keep it clean.

The tankless heaters cost more for purchase and installation than tank heaters, but their lifespan is double and efficiency higher.  This means that, while there is a higher initial cost, the homeowner is saving money every month with their new tankless heater over the lifespan of the tankless heater (avg 20 yrs).

There are currently tax rebates for the purchase and installation of tankless water heaters with an energy factor (EF) of .82 or higher in a primary home.  What was once a $300 rebate on the stimulus plan, is now 30% of purchase and installation cost up to $1,500.  The new tankless heater must be installed by December 2010.

Maine also has tax rebates for the purchase and installation of a tankless water heater.  Improvements to the home’s energy efficiency by 25% will result in a rebate of 30% up to $1,500.  Improvements of 50% energy efficiency will cover 50% of the product and installation cost up to $3,000.  The funds will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis to those who meet the requirements.

New Hampshire has similar rebate programs.  Their requirements are similar, so homeowners should check to see if they can apply.

Another, more sustainable option for water heating needs, is a tankless water heater.  More common in Europe and Australia, they are beginning to see a rise in popularity in the US due to their lifespan (average of 20yrs vs 10yrs with a tank) and efficiency.  Also known as “immediate” or “on demand” water heaters, the tankless heaters only begin using energy to heat water when a hot water tap in the home is switched on, instead of continuously heating water in a tank for later use.  For homes that use 41 gallons or less of water per day, this when-needed system can account for a 24-34% savings in energy usage.  In larger homes that use 86+ gallons of water per day, it accounts for an 8-14% increase in efficiency.  If a point-source tankless heater is installed, it can increase the efficiency by 27-50%.  Point-source means that a system sized by need is installed at each major hot water area: washer, each bathroom, kitchen, etc.

Things to consider when purchasing/using a tankless water heater:

• While it is considered “on demand”, there will still be a period of time where the water may not be at the desired temperature.  This is because the water in the line between the faucet and the heater has cooled since the last use.  When the hot water tap on a faucet is opened, it triggers the heater to begin its job, thereby heating the water that comes through the line, but not water that is already past the heater.  Most homeowners who use tanked water heaters are used to this wait time, and actually wait longer than will be required for a tankless water heater because they have to wait for all of the water in the tank to ramp up to the correct heat, instead of just waiting for the water in the line to pass.  This is also where a point-source unit shows its efficiency because you aren’t wasting energy and water waiting for the line to clear of water that isn’t currently heated.
• You can’t run out of hot water.  There is no tank.  this doesn’t mean you can take a looonnnngggg shower.
• Gas/propane tankless heaters are said to work better for bigger homes than electric tankless heaters.  It is also typical for gas energy prices to be lower to the equivalent electrical energy price (this can vary based on location, however).  (if the elec goes out does a gas heater stop working too?)  Having said that, it is important to study the specific product you are looking at installing because you may have a gas tankless heater that only works when you ask, but a pilot light may always be running – wasting energy.  Some products come with an intermittent ignition device, similar to how the spark on a gas stove lights the burner, removing the energy wasted on a continuous pilot light.  Electric versions are cheaper to purchase and install, as well as safer in the home (no fuel leaks or explosions to worry about).  They also lose less standby heat compared to gas tankless, which loses a bit because of vent openings.  Electric tankless heaters, however, will leave you without hot water during power outages.  The same can be said, though, for gas tankless heaters if the pilot is electricity-based.
• Consider the flow rate and temperature rise of the specific product.  Climate becomes a factor in this consideration because the temperature rise is from the ambient water temp entering the heater, ie: northern state homeowners need a product with a bigger temperature rise to get them through the winter.  The DOE has a Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy section (EERE) that provides calculators and information for sizing.
• If you choose either electric or gas, you need to make sure that they fit the current specs of your home or upgrades might be required.  For electric this means voltage, amperage, and circuit breakers.  For gas this means natural vs propane, line size, and venting needs.
• You should perform, or pay someone to perform, periodic maintenance on the heater to remove calcium buildup to maintain the quality of the product and ensure a long lifespan.  They should also be heating soft water to help prevent excessive buildup (typically if hardness is above 11grains/gallon).

Overall, tankless water heaters are more efficient than the tank you more than likely have sitting in your home.  Some companies are even stepping up the “green” factor of the new tankless heaters by ensuring that, in addition to lifespan and efficiency, parts are easily replaced so that the entire system is not worthless if something were to break.  They are also making the products themselves easier to recycle, compared to most tanked water heaters that unfortunately end up after end of life or malfunctions in landfills – though some place are starting to allow recycling.

Read the full article in the Portland Press Herald here.

JP Ware Design is a customer focused design and construction firm. We are members of the US Green Building Council (USGBC), and we practice sustainable design and construction methods. Founded in 2006 by Jesse P. Ware, Leed AP. Want to learn more? Email us now and become a fan on Facebook!

Energy Star

We just completed a weatherstrip retrofit on a custom door opening in a home, the new doors had been installed in an existing opening with old weatherstrip which was not performing well.  We custom made new hardwood stops from Blue Star FSC Certified Red Meranti, and installed Resource Conservation Technology Weatherstripping to seal up the door opening.  Check out the video detailing the installation.

GreenBuild 2009 news, comments from the show. Everyone agrees the statistics are correct; Green Building is NOT a fad. Sustainable construction is going to lead the way out of the recession. Home buyers are looking for the green choice when they make their purchases.

A recent Portland Press article outlines a high school vocational program building a LEED certified home. Frank Kehough the director of the program noted that after a lull of carpentry students over the past five years there is a renewed interest in the program so much so that they are able to build a home as part of the program.

“It’s the first house that PATHS has produced in five years – a lull that Kehough attributes to a decline in carpentry students. He hopes his revamped program will tap interest in green construction and help reverse that trend.”

Read the full article here!

JP Ware Design is a customer focused design and construction firm. We are members of the US Green Building Council (USGBC), and we practice sustainable design and construction methods. Founded in 2006 by Jesse P. Ware, Leed AP. Want to learn more? Email us now and become a fan on Facebook!

Air Leaks through a Home

It is not to late to do an energy audit, December is a great time to do a Home Energy Audit,  you can evaluate the loss areas in your home and keep you and your family warmer for less and save energy.     You can do a lot yourself with a thorough examination of your house.  Start with your doors and windows, checking for air leaks around the weatherstripping and caulking.  Re-seal with new caulk and weatherstrip from the local hardware store,  heat shrink plastic kits will not only help with sealing the drafts but also give you an added layer air which acts like insulation.

Other area to check are fireplace dampers, foundation cracks and service holes for plumbing and electricity through the foundation, seal these with spray foam in a can.  Electrical outlets can be simply retrofitted with foam air seals.

Here is a link to a page with a do it youself  “blower door”, essentially pressurizing your house with fans to accentuate drafts so they are easier to locate :

“The vendors also included Jesse Ware, who owns JP Ware Design, which designs Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-certified homes.

LEED-certified buildings are becoming commonplace in commercial construction, but Ware said it’s filtering into the residential market as well.

Even though LEED-certified houses cost 10 percent to 20 percent more than a conventional house, Ware said there’s a lot of interest among the public.

“There’s a big push right now,” Ware said. “People are really into green buildings.”

Ware said LEED certification is built on a wide range of factors, from making sure lumber is cut and milled within a few hundred miles of the building site, to minimizing waste and using sustainable materials. He said the system involved piling up enough points from a variety of techniques to earn certification.

Even though the cost is higher, Ware said LEED-certified houses are generally more energy-efficient than a conventional home, providing an ongoing return to the homeowner who opts for a certified house. The homes also generally fetch more on the market when they’re resold, Ware said.”

Read the full article here!

JP Ware Design is a customer focused design and construction firm. We are members of the US Green Building Council (USGBC), and we practice sustainable design and construction methods. Founded in 2006 by Jesse P. Ware, Leed AP.  Want to learn more? Email us now and become a fan on Facebook!