Homeowners Can Make Global Impact on
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NEWARK, N.J., April 12 /U.S. Newswire/ -- When it comes to global warming, one household really can make a big difference.
Home energy use causes more pollution than the average car. In fact, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says energy used in homes accounts for more than 20 percent of all U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. Although several natural elements drive changes in climate, human influences magnify warming by adding to the greenhouse gasses naturally present in the atmosphere. Fuel use increases carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere and enhances the greenhouse effect, a natural phenomenon in which gasses such as carbon dioxide trap the sun's warmth.
New Jersey is taking part in a national movement to make homes more energy efficient and lessen the effects of high energy use on global warming. Under the New Jersey ENERGY STAR(r) Labeled Homes program, administered by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU), homes of any style or size are built to be at least 30 percent more efficient than conventionally built new homes. In Atlantic County, BPU has launched a residential energy efficiency initiative called Home Performance with ENERGY STAR(r), a program under which existing homes can be improved to lower energy costs up to 30 percent.
"With the New Jersey ENERGY STAR programs, homeowners will use less fuel and help reduce environmental problems such as global warming and air pollution," says Linda Russo, a spokesperson for the New Jersey ENERGY STAR Labeled Homes and Home Performance with ENERGY STAR programs. "These homes use improved insulation and air sealing techniques, high quality windows and doors, high efficiency heating and cooling systems, and well-sealed duct systems to increase overall efficiency and lessen the impact on the environment."
While the world's leaders and scientists search for large- scale solutions to lessen the effects of global warming, New Jersey residents can make a positive impact on the environment by being more energy efficient in their own home. The following tips can help homeowners protect the environment, and save energy and money, too.
-- When purchasing a new home, look for one with the ENERGY STAR label. New Jersey ENERGY STAR Labeled Homes incorporate reliable established technologies and building practices to use approximately 30 percent less energy than conventionally built new homes. These homes have lower energy use and reduced emissions while providing homeowners a quieter, more comfortable living environment.
-- Ask your contractor about high-efficiency furnaces, central air conditioners, and other heating and cooling systems that qualify for the ENERGY STAR label. More than half of the energy used in homes goes to furnaces, boilers and air conditioners but high- efficiency systems can save as much as 40 percent on heating and cooling bills. If one in 10 households used heating and cooling equipment that has earned the ENERGY STAR, the change would keep more than 17 billion pounds of pollution out of the air.
-- When making improvements to an existing home, ask your contractor to check your home's insulation and air duct systems. The average home leaks so much that it is the equivalent of having a 3' x 3' window open all year round. Proper insulation levels slow the movement of heat through your walls, floors and ceilings, reducing the amount of fuel used to keep warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Insulation alone is not enough, however, since most duct systems have cracks, gaps and holes that waste about 25 percent of the treated air. Well-sealed ducts combined with proper insulation and ventilation can make existing homes of any size or style up to 40 percent more energy efficient.
-- Use ENERGY STAR qualified appliances. If one in 10 homes used ENERGY STAR qualified appliances, the change to our atmosphere would be like planting 1.7 million new acres of trees. A high-efficiency refrigerator reduces carbon dioxide emissions by 450 pounds a year. A washing machine that uses water and energy efficiently reduces emissions by 440 pounds a year.
-- Use ENERGY STAR qualified lighting. If one room in every U.S. household used ENERGY STAR qualified lighting, we would reduce the greenhouse gases in our atmosphere by 1 trillion pounds or the equivalent of eliminating the emissions from 8 million cars.
-- If you live in a sunny climate, install a solar thermal system to help provide your hot water. By using solar energy to heat your water, you will reduce your home's carbon dioxide emissions by 720 pounds per year. Consider installing a solar photovoltaic system to generate electricity to further reduce emissions from your home.
-- Purchase "Green Power" for your home's electricity if available from your utility. Green power is electricity that is generated from renewable sources such as solar, wind, geothermal, or biomass. Although the cost may be slightly higher, you'll know that you're buying power from an environmentally friendly energy source. Source: U.S. EPA
New Jersey ENERGY STAR Labeled Homes is administered by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities through the New Jersey Clean Energy ProgramTM. For more information and a list of participating New Jersey ENERGY STAR Labeled Homes builders call 1-866-ESTAR-NJ (1- 866-378-2765) or visit http://www.njenergystarhomes.com.
Home Performance with ENERGY STAR is funded by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities through a Special Projects grant from the U.S. Department of Energy. For more information and a list of participating Building Performance Institute-certified Home Performance contractors call 1-800-418-9560 or visit http:// www.mynjenergystar.com.
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