Sunrooms and sunspaces can improve your home’s energy efficiency

Sunspaces are pleasant living areas that can also be an additional source of heat for your home and provide a place to grow plants indoors. Energy-efficient sunrooms can be a wise financial investment and may also increase the value of your home. If you are considering adding a sunspace during an upcoming renovation project, remember to keep some of the following tips and suggestions in mind:

Reason for the space

What what will be the primary purpose of your sunspace? At heat source? A greenhouse? Just a warm place to sit in the winter? These factors will determine how the sunroom needs to be designed. For example, if you want a greenhouse, you will need almost full exposure to the sun and a space conducive to water evaporation. If you are just interested in an additional living area, you would need to ensure that there is minimal humidity and that it can be well shaded in the summer. 

Direction

To maximize the collection of solar heat, your sunspace should ideally be facing due south, but an area oriented no more than 30 degrees east or west will also provide a sufficient amount of heat. Where you are able to build the room will ultimately depend on the current landscape of your property. 

Heat distribution 

You should have vents in your sunspace that can circulate warm air throughout the house. Air can be directed manually, or you can install motors that will come on automatically based on the temperature in the house. 

Adding a sunroom is a major renovation project that should be done by a professional. While you're in the process of finding a contractor, be sure to schedule a home inspection as well. 

Earlier this week, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) proposed new energy efficiency standards for electric motors. Items covered by the new rules include products in the 1- to 500- horsepower range, including those that operate fans, pumps in elevators, conveyor belts, driving compressors and furnace fans.

The new regulations were needed because these small motors consume 50 percent of all the electricity produced in the United States, according to the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC).

"These proposed standards were set at levels supported by both motor manufacturers and efficiency advocates, including NRDC," the organization said on its blog. "When you have advocates and manufacturers agreeing on efficiency standards for 50 percent of the U.S.'s industrial electricity use, that's a big deal!" 

The council also praised the agency and said that the revised standards were long overdue. 

Over a 30-year span, American consumers could save up to $23 billion and cut carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 400 million metric tons due to the rule change, according to the DOE. It also noted that by 2030, the energy efficiency standards set forth by the Obama administration will reduce emissions of carbon dioxide by 1.7 billion tons. 

The electric motor rule is just the latest in a series of proposals released by the DOE. The department has revised standards for commercial refrigeration units, walk-in coolers and freezers, lamp fixtures and furnace fans. 

According to the NRDC, by requiring manufacturers to create more energy-efficient and cost-effective motors and appliances, the DOE is giving Americans more opportunities to save energy, minimize pollution and keep their electricity bills low.  

If you live in an area where you can cut your own wood, your fuel will be local, inexpensive and environmentally friendly. Gone are the days of the old, smoky fireplace. Today you can choose from a vast selection of wood- and pellet-burning appliances that are energy efficient, cleaner burning and powerful enough to adequately heat a mid-sized home. If you are considering adding one to your home to improve its energy efficiency, we suggest you consider the following: 

• Location – Where the stove is placed in the house will determine how well heat is distributed. An appliance should be placed in a room where you and your family spend most of your time. In addition, you should also have a system of circulating the heat to the rest of the house. 
• Pollution – Wood smoke contains chemical compounds that may be unsafe if inhaled in large quantities. Because of this, many urban areas restrict wood burning when local air quality levels become unacceptable. Before installing a new wood-burning stove, contact your local government for more information about regulations. 
• Size – When choosing a heating appliance, it's important to choose one that is properly sized for the space. If it is too big, you will have to burn fires at a low smolder to avoid overheating the room. Doing this wastes fuel and is also a source of air pollution. If the heater is too small, the room will never get warm enough. A good rule of thumb for heating is that a stove rated at 60,000 British Thermal Units (Btu) is sufficient for a 2,000-square-foot home, while a 42,000 Btu stove can heat a space of 1,300 square feet. 

For your own safety, you should consider hiring a professional to install a new wood stove in your home. He or she will be able to determine what type of stove works best in your home and where it should be placed.  

According to a study conducted by the Pecan Street Research Institute, solar panel systems can cut residential electricity demand by 58 percent during peak summer hours. The report used original data from a previous trial of residential solar use from a group of homes selected in Austin, Texas. Researchers measured the amount of generated energy that was used inside of the home as opposed to what was sent back to the grid. 

The study also focuses on the direction that the rooftop solar panels faced. Half had south facing arrays, while a quarter faced west and the remaining 25 percent had a combination of south- and west-facing panels. According to the analysis, west-facing systems have cut peak summer demand by 65 percent while those that faced south reduced demand by 54 percent. While panes that face west may be advantageous during the summer, the study's authors also noted that when it comes to total annual energy production solar panels that face south are a better option. 

"Residential solar systems have understandably raised concerns about their impact on electric reliability," said the report's lead author, Pecan Street CEO Brewster McCracken, in a press release. "These findings suggest that rooftop solar systems can produce large summer peak reductions that benefit utilities and customers alike without requiring customers to change their behavior or sacrifice comfort."

McCracken also suggested that utilities that offer rebates to customers who have solar panel systems offer higher monetary incentives for those with west-facing arrangements, at least in the summer months. 

Installing solar panels is one of the many ways to improve home energy efficiency. Before engaging in any major construction projects, though, be sure to schedule an appointment with a home inspection company. 

Last November, California voters passed Proposition 39, also known as the California Clean Energy Jobs Act, that closed a tax loophole for out-of-state companies. As a result, more money had been added to the state's general fund, some of which has been allocated to the public and charter schools for the purpose of making structural improvements that will increase energy efficiency. More than $106 million went to schools this week in the first round of funding. 

According to the Napa Valley Register, $362,000 was distributed to five schools and two school districts within Napa County. 

"Energy efficiency projects in our schools will help create jobs, protect our environment, save money and create teachable moments for students all at the same time," State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson said in a press release. "With Proposition 39, voters made it clear that they see support for education and the environment — and the intersection of the two — as a direct investment in the future of California."

Over the next five years, the Napa Valley Unified School District will receive approximately $819,000 in Proposition 39 funds, states the source. The district plans on using the money to pay for solar installations. Construction will begin in the spring of 2014, and is expected to be completed by the end of the summer. Some schools will also use the money to upgrade to energy-efficient heating and cooling and lighting systems. 

Improving energy efficiency is not just limited to public buildings. To reduce the energy consumption in your house, contact a home inspection company to schedule an energy audit.

During the holiday season, it's common for many homeowners to see their energy bills skyrocket. One of the biggest culprits of this occurrence is decorating. Keeping the interior and exterior of your house illuminated day and night is expensive, and not so good for the environment. 

Before you put up your holiday displays this year, be sure to check out these energy-efficient decorating tips: 

• Buy LED light strands – The incandescent holiday lights that you have been using for years are inefficient and probably have sections that do not work. This year, consider purchasing strings with LED bulbs. They use 70 percent less energy than the traditional variety, in addition to being brighter and more eco friendly. These lights can also contribute to your home's overall energy efficiency by not overheating and triggering the air conditioning to come on – a useful trait for those of us who live in warmer clients. 
• Find decorating alternatives – You don't just have to use strings of lights to get your house into the holiday spirit. Mix it up by using candles, bells and reflective ornaments. 
• Keep usage to a minimum – Set timers to all of your light displays so that they will turn on after sundown and off an hour after you go to bed. Keeping your lights on only at times when most people will see them will save you money. 

While following the above suggestions can cut your energy costs during a few weeks in the winter, you may want to undertake some major renovations to improve your home's energy efficiency year round. Before doing so, remember to schedule an energy audit first.  

Insulating your house is probably one of the least glamorous home improvement projects that you can undertake, but it's one of the most beneficial. If you're planning on remodeling your house to improve its energy efficiency, making upgrades to your insulation should be on the top your to-do list. 

While you should have a home inspection before making any final decisions, the following tips and suggestions help get you started: 

• Be careful not to place insulation too close to a recessed light fixture, as this can pose a fire hazard
• Follow all of the manufacturer's installation instructions and wear the appropriate protective gear and if you are unsure about what to do, contact a contractor or a home insulation specialist
• If you want less-bulky insulation, use products with higher R-values such as spray foam
• To ensure proper air flow in the attic, install air barriers such as wind baffles. This is not necessary, however, if you plan on insulating the underside of the roof
• When selecting energy efficient insulation for your home, you should consider factors such as the house's design, your local climate and how much you are willing to spend. 

If your home still feels drafty after adding insulation to your attic and floors, you may need to insulate your exterior walls, crawl spaces and basement. This is an expensive proposition and will usually require the services of a professional contractor, but it may say you money in the long run. Additionally, if you're planning on replacing the siding on your house, consider taking the extra step of installing insulation at the same time. 

Being green doesn't have to mean installing solar panels on your roof or running a farm out of your backyard. There are many simple changes that you can make to your home to increase its energy efficiency and reduce your carbon footprint. We detail a few ideas below: 

Change lighting 

One of the simplest ways to reduce your energy costs is to replace all of your incandescent lights with LED or CFL bulbs. They use a fraction of the energy of the traditional variety and last significantly longer. In addition, eco-friendly lights don't get as hot as other bulbs, keeping your home cooler and reducing the need of air conditioning. 

Clean HVAC filters

Regularly cleaning or replacing the filters in your heating and cooling system will keep the air flowing properly and prevent the machinery from working too hard. 

New appliances

An old washing machine, dryer and other out-of-date appliances are commonly the cause of high electricity bills. If any of these items are more than 10 years old, you should consider replacing them with more energy-efficient models that bear the "Energy Star" logo. 

Window treatments

Most of a home's energy is lost through windows, so they should be your first consideration when making changes to your house. Installing a new set of energy-efficient windows is one solution to prevent heat loss, but an expensive one. As an alternative, you could use heavy curtains and blinds to keep cold air out of the house at night. 

If you have any future plans to improve the energy efficiency of your home, be sure to schedule a home inspection first.