$800K Cut From Electric Bill
Jun 04 - Arizona Daily Star
Call it the "CSI" approach to reducing energy bills.
The camera shows a telltale white glow on walls, ceilings or windows where
summer heat sneaks in. Rald and the city use the camera to help builders test
and improve the energy efficiency of new homes.
"We are talking not only energy efficiency," Rald said, "but
health, comfort, durability and efficiency to operate."
Not to mention saving cash. The city has cut electric bills at some city
buildings by as much as 60 percent in the past 10 years, said Vinnie Hunt, city
energy manager. Citizens who want to cut costs as summer approaches can learn
from some of these tactics.
Hunt estimated the city cut $800,000 off its $17.3 million electric bill last
year through energy-saving ideas and gizmos. Tucson won a competition held by
the Governor's Office this year to find the most energy-wise new public
buildings in the state. And it is giving builders an infrared picture of how to
build better homes for cost-conscious consumers.
The city has a policy of designing new buildings to meet the model energy
code, the same energy-saving standards used at Civano. The code requires a 50
percent improvement in energy conservation over normal office buildings.
The recently opened Hardesty Midtown Multiservice Center, 1100 S. Alvernon
Way, keeps bills low with technology that consumers won't easily find at local
home-improvement stores.
At daybreak at the building's police substation, sun shines through
skylights, and sensors detect the change and shut off lights. Motion detectors
in the building adjust lights as people move in and out of rooms.
Computerized air-conditioning systems try to estimate how many people are in
a room, and raise or lower air flow accordingly.
The building's energy-wise design is anticipated to save between $50,000 and
$100,000 per year, Hunt said. The city also is promoting energy consciousness in
a program that works with Tucson home- builders.
With aid from the city and Rald's infrared camera, U S Home improved on
energy efficiency tests at new homes by as much as 40 percent in the recent
years. For the average home buyer, Rald said, that adds up to about $500 in
annual savings.
How Tucson does it
Ways that the city of Tucson controls costs when it comes to electric bills:
Motion sensors - Control lights when people enter or leave rooms.
Skylights - Reduce need for electric light during days.
LED signs - Traffic signals and building exit signs last longer and cost less
when they use light-emitting diodes.
White rooftops - Building roofs receive a white coating that absorbs less
heat.
Smart thermostats - With computerized building controls, air conditioning
takes the day off when city employees are gone on holidays such as Memorial Day.
Solar power - New buildings regularly use solar panels that help generate
power, reducing demand for electricity from the grid.
Computer monitoring - City energy staff members can check temperatures and
cooling systems at city buildings across town, thanks to remote systems.
Tips from the experts
Here are steps that can lead to lower energy bills for Tucson homeowners and
home buyers.
Insulation: Strategies to reduce energy bills often focus on the areas where
people live, and overlook the attic, where temperatures can rise to 160 degrees,
said the city of Tucson's Carl Rald.
"We have spent 30 years concentrating on tightening up houses in the
wrong places," Rald said.
The quality of the insulation doesn't matter if it's not properly aligned
flush to walls and ceilings to stop air flow, Rald said. Small gaps can greatly
reduce the insulation's efficiency.
Lights: The city replaces incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs,
which last about 10 times longer, said Vinnie Hunt, city energy manager.
"I put compact fluorescents in the lighting I use most at home,"
Hunt said. "It's worth it, because you don't have to change them as often,
and you do save some on your energy bill."
Outside environment: One way to stay cool inside is to set up buffers against
heat outside, Hunt said. Well-placed trees and landscaping provide shade and
reduce heat. The city paints rooftops white; new home buyers may want to check
beneath the roof for radiant barriers - foil coverings that help reflect heat as
it reaches the attic.
Windows: Rald says that low-E (short for low-emissivity) windows can yield
big savings.
Research with Rald's infrared cameras helped convince U S Home that using the
right windows can make a big difference in a house's energy bill.
U S Home uses dual-paned, soft-tinted, low-E windows, said James Knipe, vice
president of construction for U S Home in Tucson.
"The infrared camera is as dark on the glass as our insulated
walls," Knipe said. "It's no longer an energy-loss area."
Thermostats: Air conditioning and heating systems that blow more air than is
needed can be an expensive waste of energy, Hunt said. The city uses
programmable thermostats to turn its air conditioners off when nobody's at work.
With or without a computerized thermostat, the idea is the same: Don't pay to
cool an empty house.
Watch your energy bill: The city keeps an eye on costs at buildings; a spike
in a bill may require taking another look at whether lights or air conditioners
are on more than intended.
Pay attention to energy ratings: Household products, such as appliances, that
earn a federal Energy Star rating will use less electricity. Homes can also meet
standards for energy efficiency, including Energy Star, and Tucson Electric
Power Guarantee ratings.
Contact reporter Scott Simonson at 573-4104 or at simonson@azstarnet.com
.