GUIDE

ENERGYEFFICIENCYENERGYEFFICIENCYENERGYEFFICIENCY

Winter

INSIDE:

idahopower.com/save

• Finding the Truth (About Energy Savings)• 7 Ways to Improve a Home’s Energy Efficiency• Energy Efficiency and Rooftop Solar• Hiring a Home Improvement Contractor

There are a lot of energy-saving messages and gadgets in the marketplace today, and it can be hard to tell between fact and fiction. To make good decisions about saving energy in your home, you need trusted sources.

You can rely on websites such as energystar.gov or energysavers.gov for sound advice based on research. Many universities also do research and publish reliable information.

But what is energy-smart in one climate or situation can be counterproductive in another. Given the amount of information to sort through, may I suggest you turn to Idaho Power?

About Energy SavingsFinding the TruthBy Theresa Drake, Manager of Customer Relations and Energy Efficiency

Idaho Power has 237 engineers and scientists devoted to understanding and meeting your energy needs. We also part-ner with other utilities in the Northwest to fund research aimed at understanding our climate and the most cost-effective ways to save energy here at home. And when a question stumps us, we have access to a network of researchers to find the answer.

The next time you have a question about an energy-saving product or idea, I invite you to reach out to us. We will provide you with reliable information to help you make the best decision possible.

Thank you, in advance, for using us as your trusted energy advisor.

You can ask Idaho Power a question by clicking on “Contact Us” in the banner bar at idahopower.com.

Did You Know?

1. Radiant Barriers (aka attic foil, reflecting insulation) — A radiant barrier is a reflective material typically placed in the attic above the insulation and below the rafters. Its goal is to reflect heat away from your home’s interior and reduce air conditioning costs. In climates like ours, where people use more energy to heat than cool, radiant barriers can actually increase overall energy costs.

2. Showerhead Adapters — These do not reduce water flow. Instead, they reduce energy wasted by a common behavior — turning the shower faucet to hot and wandering off to complete a task while the water warms up. The adapter is installed just above the showerhead. When the water gets hot, it reduces the flow to a drip. When you get in, you toggle a string and hot water flows. If you are in the habit of letting hot water run in your shower, an adapter could save energy and money.

3. Black Box — This is a generic name given to devices where the energy-savings performance is uncertain. Some are installed in the home and come with a claim that they ‘recycle’ wasted energy using capacitors. While a well-designed capacitor application can be useful for large businesses, this technology doesn’t save an appreciable amount of energy for homeowners. Don’t expect to notice a change in your monthly power bill.

Today, many new products claim energy savings. Some work — some don’t. Here are the facts about three products we’ve recently seen:

Tech Corner

Energy-saving opportunities are often right where you can see (or feel) them. Here are some signs to look for and recommended solutions that you or a contractor can implement to save money and make your home more comfortable.

Keeping WatchEnergy-Saving Opportunities You Can See or Feel

Foggy WindowsMoisture between panes of glass may signal a broken seal and can reduce a window’s insulation value.

What to do:• Replace broken

window seal• Seal and insulate

around the window

Cold FloorsWhile some types of flooring (wood, tile, etc.) may be naturally cold, cold floors in the winter could be a sign of air leaks or poor insulation.

What to do:• Seal air leaks and add insulation in the basement

and crawlspace• Check that your heating and cooling system

is providing enough air to each room

Drafty RoomsCold air coming in around doors, windows and other openings can increase your heating costs.

What to do:• Seal ducts and air leaks, especially in the attic• Close your fireplace damper when not in use

Rooftop Snowmelt and IciclesBare roofs and ice build-up in the form of icicles or ice dams (ice blockages at the edge of a roof that prevent snow from melting off) may be a sign of heat loss from your home.

What to do:• Seal ducts and air leaks• Add insulation in your attic

• Clean gutters each fall to prevent build-up

During the cold winter months, it’s especially important to watch out for friends and neighbors who need a little help. Idaho Power offers several programs to support special-needs customers.

Project Share helps those who are unable to pay energy bills for electric, natural gas, propane, oil or firewood due to illness, disability, age or un- employment. u idahopower.com/projectshare

Weatherization Programs offer free energy efficiency improvements for income-qualified customers living in electrically heated homes. u idahopower.com/weatherization

State Energy Assistance provides funds to help pay heating costs for households with limited incomes.u idahopower.com/energyassistance

Help a Neighbor

Want an easy way to save? Set your thermostat lower when you are asleep or away for at least 4 to 8 hours. If your thermostat isn’t programmable or easy to adjust, consider getting a new one. Programmable thermostats aid comfort by return-ing your home’s temperatures to normal before you wake or return.

The US Department of Energy suggests a winter temperature of 68°F while you’re home during the day. When you lower the temperature 10 to 15 degrees while you’re asleep or away, you can expect to save 5 to 15 percent on heating costs — a savings of as much as 1 percent for each degree.

In the summer, use the same strategy with air con-ditioning. Keep your house at 74°F to 78°F when you’re home, but warmer while you are away.

If you need help programming your thermostat, most manufacturers offer an online guide — or try calling them. You can also contact a local contractor who specializes in heating and cooling.

With Your Thermostat

Be Smart

Don’t pass up the chance to save 5 to 15 percent on your heating costs!

This works for most heating systems, however, the best practice for a heat pump during the heating season is to maintain a consistent, moderate setting.

1. An energy audit can tell you how much energy your home uses and how much it wastes. Auditors now have tools to identify specific problem areas. When you participate in Idaho Power’s Home Energy Audit program, the auditor will make some improvements during the audit and leave you with an action plan to save more.

2. Air sealing is critical to prevent heat loss that can end up costing hundreds of extra dollars a year. It also helps keep toxic fumes out of your living space.

3. A well-insulated home helps keep room temperatures constant, bal-anced and comfortable. This can reduce energy costs and help your heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system last longer.

4. Well-sealed ducts deliver clean, fresh air to each room. Leaky ducts are costly and can bring moisture, unfiltered air and toxins (like mold) into your home. Caution: Having ducts cleaned but not sealed is not a complete solution.

5. ENERGY STAR® appliances and LED lighting increase a home’s efficiency and can result in significant savings.

6. Replacing older gas stoves and ovens can reduce the chance of dangerous gas and carbon monoxide leaks.

7. Seal window frames and light fixtures to reduce drafts and improve air quality.

Most of us know that our bodies are com-plex systems made up of many pieces and parts. When one part isn’t working well, our overall performance suffers. Houses work the same way. Many factors add to its comfort, health and safety.

7 Waysto Improve a Home’s Energy Efficiency

Rather than focusing on a single problem, try to look at the big picture. Adopting the house-as-a-system approach to mainte-nance and improvement can help you get the most from your home while saving on energy and costs.

Here are 7 ways to improve your home’s performance:

Did You Know?

For a reduced cost, qualified customers in Idaho can receive a professional Home Energy Audit. Learn more at idahopower.com/save.

Building standards are moving to-ward greater energy efficiency by making homes tighter. This means sealing air leaks in the floor, ceiling and exterior walls. A tight home has fewer drafts, keeps pests out and saves energy. Air sealing is one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce energy bills. To find out how leaky (or tight) your home is, hire a home per-formance specialist to perform a BlowerDoor® test. This test measures the number of times the air inside your house would be completely replaced in an hour if the wind outside was blowing at about 20 mph. New homes must have less than five air changes per hour (ACH). If you find your home is leaky, it may be worthwhile to hire a contractor to seal as many leaks as possible.

SEALED UP TIGHT Proper ventilation is important in a tight home — especially if you suffer from asthma or are prone to respiratory illness. Idaho’s new building code balances efficiency standards and health needs by requiring whole-house mechanical ventilation in new homes. These systems bring fresh air in without compromising efficiency or comfort. If you tighten an older home, here are some options to ensure proper ventila-tion:• Homes with gas or electric furnaces

can install a fresh air intake.• Homes with efficient heat pumps may

want to install an energy recovery ventilator (ERV), which is similar to a bathroom exhaust fan, but circulates air in and out efficiently.

For most people, the benefits of a tight home outweigh the costs — even if it means adding mechanical ventilation to the home.

And Healthy

The average home has enough air leakage to add up to a two-foot square hole? That’s like leaving a medium-sized window wide open 24 hours a day! Typical homeowners can save up to 10 percent on their total annual energy bill by sealing and insulating their home.

Tips to make a tight home healthy:

• Bring fresh air in with proper ventilation.

• Choose non-toxic flooring, paints and furnishings.

• Run exhaust fans in moist areas like bathrooms and over stoves.

FLOORSDOORS FOUNDATION

WALLS

CEILINGCHIMNEY

PLUMBINGWINDOWS

Did You Know?

UnderstandingThe Basics of Lighting

• Ambient lighting is general lighting in a room for walking around, conversation and identify-ing objects.

• Task lighting provides higher light levels in a specific area for performing visual tasks, such as reading, sewing and cutting.

• Accent lighting is used to highlight artwork or special architectural features.

• Daylight from windows and skylights can also provide ambient lighting, and direct sunlight can be used for visual tasks like mending or working on puzzles.

• Interior surfaces contribute to good lighting. Lighter colors on ceilings and walls will reflect more light within a space. Dark colors absorb the light. To control glare on painted surfaces, use flat or matte finishes.

The best lighting options use a combination of these tools to meet your household needs.

Today, lighting options make it easy to boost your quality of life while saving energy. During long winter nights, it’s worth taking a few extra moments to consider ways to improve the lighting in your home.

Did You Know?

New LED lighting options can reduce

eye strain and enhance vision while

saving energy.

1. Brighter Increase light levels by adding fixtures close to your task or selecting light bulbs with more lumens (listed on the package). Even more light is required to see small details. Add well-placed lamps to enhance comfort. Make certain cords are not trip or fall hazards.

2. Glare-free Avoid looking directly at light bulbs. Use blinds, shades or curtains to minimize sun-glare. Choose matte finishes; shiny surfaces can reflect light into your eyes.

3. Uniform Minimize dark areas and shadows within a room and from room to room by balancing daylight, ambient light and floor or table lamps.

4. Color-enhancing The lens of the eye yellows with age. Find light bulbs with good color properties to help you discriminate colors. Cooler-colored bulbs may increase contrast levels and provide good task lighting.

There used to be three basic choices of light bulbs — 60, 75 or 100 watts. Now there are many choices.

With each passing year, our eyes require more light to see properly.

Too Dim? Too Bright?Get It Just Right!4 TIPS FOR AGING EYES

Incandescent CFL LED

150 watts

32–35 watts

25–28 watts

100 watts

23–26 watts

16–20 watts

75 watts

18–22 watts

+13 watts

60 watts

13–15 watts

8–12.5 watts

40 watts

9–11 watts

6–9 watts

Lumens (brightness)

2600

1600

1100

800

450

This chart shows the number of lumens produced by common incandescent bulbs. If you’re looking to buy a bulb that will give you the amount of light you used to get from a 60-watt bulb, you’ll now look for 800 lumens.

For years, people have chosen light bulbs by the watt, learning over time about how bright a typical 40-watt or 60-watt bulb is. But wattage only tells how much energy a bulb uses — not how bright it is.

With new energy-efficient light bulbs, energy use is no longer a reliable way to gauge brightness. That takes lumens. The higher the lumens, the brighter the bulb.

Even if a package has watts (or a watt equivalent) listed on it, the brightness could vary. A bulb marked as a 60-watt equivalent could be anywhere between 750 and 850 lumens. Read the label and look at the lumens. Want a brighter bulb? Pick one with higher lumens.

Need more information? Visit idahopower.com/netmetering.

Energy Efficiency

Lately, newspaper ads, social media feeds and even door-to-door salespeople are promoting rooftop solar as an easy way to reduce your electricity bill. Sound simple? Well it is — sort of. Solar is a big investment, and there are a few things to consider.

Start with energy efficiency. Installing a high-tech solar system to run incan-descent lights or heat a home with leaky windows doesn’t make sense. You’ll get a better return on investment for almost all energy efficiency improvements, so begin by making your home as efficient as possible.

& Rooftop Solar

Know the rules. Idaho Power’s net metering tariff allows customers to generate electricity with small-scale renewable systems to offset their own use. The tariff sets out the rules, includ-ing the application process, equipment and installation requirements.

Size it right. Do you want the system to offset all or just a portion of your use? See how your home uses energy over time with myAccount at idahopower.com.

You’ll still have a bill. When your home needs more energy than your system is producing, it pulls electricity from Idaho Power. When your system produces more en-ergy than you need, it feeds the excess back for a kilowatt-hour (kWh) credit. Because you still use Idaho Power ser-vices and equipment, you will still pay service charges and other standard fees even if you offset all of your energy use.

Hire a good contractor. If you think generating your own renewable energy is right for you, hire a contractor that knows Idaho Power’s net metering rules and is familiar with the application process and the timelines from start to finish. A good contractor will be honest about the system’s output, help you right-size the system and set realistic expectations for what it will produce.

Did You Know?

Idaho Power’s Green Power program lets you offset your use

with renewable energy generated in the Northwest.

Visit idahopower.com/greenpower to learn more.

Check out Idaho Power’s efficiency programs at idahopower.com/save.

ChecklistThe

Many energy efficiency and home improvement projects lend themselves to a do-it-yourself (DIY) approach. But when you need to hire a skilled contractor, here’s some sound advice.*

When Hiring a Home Improvement Contractor:

©2016 Idaho Power *Excerpted from The AARP HomeFit Guide, AARP Programs/Livable Communities, www.aarp.org/homefit. Copyright 2015 AARP. All rights reserved.

idahopower.com/save

Don’t-Do-It Yourself

1. Make a list of what you need done. Write down exactly what you want the contractor to do.

2. Seek recommendations from family and friends. Beware of the stranger who shows up at your home unannounced and says something like, “I’m on a job in the area already so I can give you a good price.” This is rarely a smart choice and could be a scam. (Visit aarp.org/fraudwatch for more about protecting yourself from scammers.)

3. Check the recommendations. The Better Business Bureau (bbb.org) can tell you if complaints have been filed against a contractor or company. Also, although having a state license doesn’t guarantee reliability, it’s a minimum qualification a contractor should have.

4. Ask for estimates. Meet with at least three contractors. Estimates should detail the materials to be used, the labor charges, the start and end dates and the total cost. Ask for proof that the contractor is licensed, bonded and covered by workers’ compensation and liability insurance. Check references from past clients.

5. Get everything in writing. Don’t approve any plans you don’t understand. Never sign a contract with any blanks, and do keep a copy of everything you sign. Take your time to make a decision and, remember, genuinely good deals will still be there tomorrow.

6. Don’t pay the final bill until all the work is complete. Be sure all required building authorities have inspected the work, and get a written statement that the contractor has paid all of the subcontractors and suppliers.