Energy Savers

Give Me My Tax Credit! (Or, How I Almost Bought the Wrong Patio Door)

Over the past few weeks, my husband and I have been shopping for a new patio door. We currently have a sliding glass door that we have always hated—full exposure to winds from the west and to open fields behind our house mean that we always have dirt and dust getting in through that door, not to mention cold air in the winter and heat in the summer. The final straw was a warped and squeaky track, no doubt aggravated by our dog's constant indecision over whether he wants to be inside or outside (oh, the dilemma!).

Since sliding glass doors are known to be inefficient (and ours was already driving us crazy), we decided that a door that swings, rather than slides, is our best bet. Here are the other features we want in a door:

10 Resources to Help You Save Energy Now

A lot of the feedback that I see about the Energy Savers.gov site says, "This is great, but way too detailed. I just want to know what's easy and what I can do now!" And that makes sense; EnergySavers.gov has a lot of information about a lot of topics—you can learn about buying efficient appliances, choosing new heating and cooling systems, selecting windows, and even how to use renewable energy.

But not everyone wants to make a big purchase right now; many of you want to know how you can save with what you have or with just a small investment in time and money. These 10 resources detail easy ways that you can start saving now:

Storm Windows (Even with a Low-E Coating!)

Earlier I wrote about purchasing energy-efficient windows. Jen followed up with an excellent blog on improving your existing windows, which mentioned low-e films.

One fairly well-kept secret—low-emissivity (low-e) storm windows—lies somewhere between these two options. They aren't the simple, low-cost, do-it-yourself option that Jen spoke of. But they are a less expensive option than the replacement windows I wrote about.

Energy Tax Credits: Stay Warm and Save MORE Money!

With all of the news this month about the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, you may have heard about the energy tax incentives that were included for both consumers and for business, utilities, and governments.

If you are already preparing for winter and working to make your home more efficient, this is good news. The federal tax credits can help you save energy, stay warm, and save money this winter and beyond. Combined with other sources of financial help that we've already discussed on this blog, you may be able to save significantly on your improvements.

Question of the Week: What Have You Done to Improve Your Windows?

We've been talking a lot on the blog recently about improving and replacing windows to improve energy efficiency.

What have you done to improve your windows?

Each Thursday, you have the chance to share your thoughts on a question about energy efficiency or renewable energy for consumers. Please comment with your answers, and also feel free to respond to other comments.

Improving the Energy Efficiency of Existing Windows

But, soft! What light through yonder window breaks?
It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.
- William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet

No one would dispute the undeniable beauty of soft, dappled light shining through a window in the early morning. Unless, of course, you happen to be one of the many Americans whose windows are letting in more than just light. Poorly fitted or sealed windows can be a major frustration during the winter months, letting in cold drafts that blur the lines between indoors and out. Unfortunately, this isn't just an issue of comfort. Windows with air leaks pose a real energy efficiency problem as well. Not only does the cold air that seeps into your home through these leaks force your heating system to work that much harder to maintain a stable and comfortable temperature; poorly fitted and sealed windows also make it that much easier for the warm air inside your home to get out.  In fact, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimates that as much as one third of the average home's heat loss occurs through windows and doors.

Long-term fixes for air leaks typically involve the purchase of replacement windows. However, replacement windows aren't an option for everyone. For some, the cost is prohibitive; and for renters, replacement windows might not even be a possibility. Luckily there are a variety of options for consumers who are looking to improve the energy efficiency of their existing windows. Used individually or in combination, the following tips can help to mitigate heat loss, reduce drafts, and generally make your home a more comfortable place to be this winter: 

Purchasing Energy-Efficient Windows

Windows connect us with the "great outdoors." They let in the light and the rays of the sun and can make even the smallest room seem bright and spacious. Operable windows let fresh air in and stale air out. Windows that are properly selected, well designed and constructed, and properly installed can make a world of difference to a home, helping it to be warm and cozy in the winter, and cool and comfortable in the summer.

Yet windows have traditionally been the weak spot in the home's building envelope—that part of the house connected to the outdoors. They can be one of the leading sources of drafts, heat loss (or unwanted heat gain in summer), and condensation. Windows can account for 10%–30% of your home's heat loss in winter.

Plastic Sheets and Duct Tape Anecdote

My wife's family practices energy efficiency. I hadn't appreciated that fully until I came to work at the Department of Energy, but every winter, my father-in-law tapes plastic sheeting over the living room windows. "It keeps the heat in," he told me.

Well, it does. They save money through this simple fix. And it inspired me to do the same thing first in our old apartment and now in our second bedroom (which is either too hot in summer or too cold in winter). It's cheap, it's easy to do, and it doesn't take all that long—I figure I spent maybe 20 minutes putting sheeting over the windows. For a guy (like me) who likes quick and easy fixes, it's a winner.

Get Your Windows and Doors Ready for Winter

If you're anything like my husband, there is a science to when you open and close your windows and window coverings. During the summer, he is determined to capture Colorado's cool night air to avoid using our air conditioner—in spite of (or maybe because of) the comical sight of his always-freezing wife bundled up in robes and blankets in the middle of July.

These days, however, our goals are changing (much to my delight). The weather is turning colder and now we want to keep the heat in. We aren't lucky enough to have a good passive solar home design, but we do get good sun from the south and west, so in the winter we keep our curtains open during the day to capture that wonderful natural heat. As soon as the sun goes down, we shut everything up tight to keep the house as warm as possible. Good window coverings help prevent that heat from escaping.