Source: Touchstone Energy® Cooperatives

The greatest sources of heating and cooling losses in your home are often invisible―air leaks. As a result, controlling air leaks provides the best way to extend the life of your home, conserve energy, save money, and increase comfort.

Bottom line? If you don’t tighten up your home first, money spent on insulation may be wasted.

Fortunately, you can seal a lot of leaks around your home’s exterior with less than $100 worth of caulk. It’s generally possible to seal openings up to one-quarter inch between window frames and siding or around door frames. For larger gaps, add a backing material before caulking, or use a spray foam sealant instead.

Most types of outdoor caulk are sold in tubes that fit a caulking gun. In addition, some caulks come in aerosol cans; they’re a good choice for filling gaps up to one-half inch around pipes and wires.

When shopping for caulk, there are myriad choices. Prices range from a couple of dollars to several dollars per tube, so be sure to read the labels and choose a product that will adhere best to the materials you’re sealing.

If your budget allows, spend a little more for a higher-quality caulk. Inexpensive caulks may last only a few years, while premium-priced caulks are rated for 20 years or more.

Caulk like a Pro

• As a rule of thumb, you’ll probably use half a cartridge per window or door and up to six cartridges for foundation work.
• Most caulks pose no known health hazards after they’re fully cured. However, some high-performance caulking compounds contain irritating or potentially toxic ingredients, so you should carefully read the manufacturer’s instructions and take the appropriate precautions.
• The best time to apply caulk is during dry weather when outdoor temperatures are above 45 degrees. Low humidity is important during application to prevent cracks from swelling with moisture.
• If the gap you’re sealing is too wide, use a special filler made for the purpose. You’ll find fillers in the caulking department of your local hardware store or home center. However, note that fillers are not designed for exposure to the elements; so you’ll need to caulk or seal over it.
• Before applying new caulk, remove the old caulk or paint residue with a putty knife, stiff brush, or special solvent.
• Make sure your work area is dry, so you won’t seal in moisture.
• Hold the caulking gun at a consistent angle; 45 degrees is best.
• Caulk in a straight, continuous stream, avoiding stops and starts, and make sure the caulk sticks to both sides of the crack or seam.
• Send caulk to the bottom of an opening to avoid bubbles.
• Release the trigger on the caulking gun before pulling it away from the crack to prevent applying too much caulk. A caulking gun with an automatic release makes this much easier.
• Don’t skimp. If the caulk shrinks, reapply it to form a smooth bead that completely seals the crack.
• If caulk oozes out of a crack, use a putty knife to push it back in.
• Once you’ve applied caulk, it takes time for it to dry, or cure. Curing time is described in two ways. The tack-free time tells you how quickly the fresh caulk’s outer surface will dry or skin over. The total cure time indicates the time required for the caulk to become completely stable—or reach the point where no further drying or shrinking will occur.
• Don’t allow pets and small children to come into contact with fresh caulk.

Use expanding foam for large gaps

• Be sure to use the correct type of spray foam for the job. Polyurethane expandable spray foam works well around pipes and gaps around the foundation. However, this type of caulk expands with so much force that it can cause damage to window frames and door frames. In those spots, use a water-based spray foam specifically designed for the job.
• Expanding foam is ideal for filling cracks that caulks can’t handle. It comes in aerosol cans and takes a short time to cure. The foam is very sticky and attaches itself quickly, so be prepared to pick up any messes fast.
• To seal gaps too wide for foam, use foil-faced bubble wrap. For really large holes, cut sections of rigid foam insulation to fit and then glue into place with expanding foam before covering the area with wood or another appropriate building material.

Find more ways to seal your home and save at EnergySavers.gov or www.TogetherWeSave.com.

Sources: U.S.  Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, ENERGY STAR, and product manufacturers

Congress has hit the “off” switch, at least temporarily, on the enforcement of light bulb efficiency standards that opponents characterized as an effective ban on traditional incandescent models.

Enforcement of the standards, which would hike efficiency requirements by 30 percent, effective Jan. 1, was blocked by a provision inserted into an omnibus spending bill that will keep the federal government funded through the remainder of fiscal 2012.

The provision bars the Department of Energy from spending funds to implement or enforce the light bulb standards, enacted in 2007, through Sept. 30. Congress passed it in mid-December as part of a more than $1 trillion appropriations bill.

While they won’t be enforced, the standards will become applicable to 100-watt bulbs in 2012 and other sizes in the following years. They will apply to all bulbs—compact fluorescents, halogen incandescents and LEDs as well as traditional incandescent models.

During floor debate on standards-repeal legislation last summer, conservative lawmakers denounced the efficiency regime as an example of government overreach. Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, said his repeal bill, H.R. 2417, would “allow people to keep using the cheap and reliable incandescent light bulb.”

“People don’t want Congress dictating what light fixtures they can use,” Barton had said in comments on earlier legislation.

Meanwhile, standards supporters such as Energy Secretary Steven Chu countered that they were focused on making bulbs more efficient, not barring their use. The “common sense” requirements would save consumers $6 billion annually on their electric bills, the secretary emphasized.

NRECA has never taken a position on the continuing availability of incandescent light bulbs, according to Brian Cavey, vice president for legislative affairs.

However, he noted, the association has taken a position on energy efficiency, supporting more efficient energy alternatives in order to avoid having to build expensive new power plants.

The winter holiday season is traditionally a festive and eventful time of year, filled with celebrations, family gatherings, and visits from houseguests.  In fact, results from a national survey conducted by ESFI indicate that nearly sixty percent of Americans typically host guests in their homes during the holidays.

It’s easy to get caught up in the hectic pace of holiday entertaining – cookies to bake, decorations to hang, presents to wrap – but ESFI and the electric cooperatives of Tennessee urge you not to overlook safety during the holiday rush.  The winter holiday period is, unfortunately, also a peak time of year for home fires and preventable injuries.

The good news is that it’s not difficult to make sure your home is ready to host all of your favorite holiday activities.

First, take time out from your party preparations to test your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and to make sure your home is protected by an adequate number of alarms.  Both smoke and carbon monoxide alarms should be installed on every level of your home and outside each sleeping area.  Additional smoke alarms should be installed inside each bedroom.  Be sure to share your family fire escape plan with any overnight guests or babysitters

Arrange your holiday displays so as to avoid overloading electrical outlets with too many decorations or devices.  Inspect all decorations, cords and outlets for damage before use.  Keep electrical cords out of doorways and high traffic areas where they pose a tripping hazard.  Do not pinch cords or affix them to walls, ceilings, or floors with staples or nails, which can damage the insulation.

Keep young visitors safe by preparing your home before they arrive.  If your home is not already “childproof,” install Tamper Resistant Receptacles (TRRs) or use safety covers on all unused electrical outlets, including those on extension cords and power strips.  Store breakables, candles, matches, and other potentially dangerous items in inaccessible or locked areas safe from curious little ones.  Don’t forget to put away small items, like buttons, coins, and jewelry, which could pose a choking hazard. Use safety gates at the top and bottom of stairways to keep babies and toddlers safe.

Safety doesn’t stop when the party gets started.  Adopt a proactive approach to safety during your holiday festivities as well.  Keep decorations, gifts, and other combustibles at least three feet from heat sources or open flame.  Never leave the kitchen when something is cooking.  Make sure children are supervised at all times in the kitchen and in rooms where heat sources or open flame are in use.  Turn off and unplug all decorations before leaving home or turning in for the night.

Remember that a safe and happy holiday is by far the best gift you can give your friends and family this year.

Happy Holidays from the electric cooperatives of Tennessee.

The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development’s Energy Division reminds Tennesseans that there is still more than $1 million remaining for energy efficient appliance rebates for consumers who have upgraded to a qualifying Energy Star^® appliance since April 22, 2010.

As of Oct. 30, 2011, ECD’s Energy Division reports that 17,491 rebates, totaling $4,131,760, have been paid to Tennesseans through the program. Tennessee consumers can still purchase and install eligible Energy Star Appliances to replace less efficient models and receive a rebate debit card on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are depleted. Applications must be postmarked by Jan. 14, 2012. Tennesseans can track funds still remaining at http://teearp.efi.org.

Eligible appliances include air source heat pumps, central air conditioners, gas furnaces and room air conditioners with the Energy Star designation. A rebate of $250 is available for the air source heat pumps and central air conditioners, a rebate of $150 is available for gas furnaces, and a rebate of $40 is available for room air conditioners. Purchases made on or after April 22, 2010 are eligible for the rebate.

To qualify for the program, consumers must complete the following steps in applying for a rebate:

1. Visit www.e-rebates.org/teearp to begin the online rebate application process. Consumers who do not have access to the Internet should call 1-877-741-4304, and an application will be mailed.
2. On the website identify the qualifying appliance at the top of the page and click “Proceed” to begin an application.
3. Complete the application in its entirety, and then print, sign and date. Note: The most common issue with applications has been incomplete paperwork filed by the applicant or contractor. Please be sure that the application is fully completed, signed and dated.
4. All completed and signed applications must be mailed along with (a) a sales receipt or invoice that shows the date of purchase, cost, and equipment make and model and (b) a copy of a recent electric utility bill for the installation address to one of the addresses below.

For rebates on air source heat pumps, central air conditioners or gas furnaces, mail the signed, completed application and supporting documents to:

CSG Incentive Processing
TN Appliance Rebate Program
P.O. Box 290189
Nashville, TN 37229-0189

For rebates on room air conditioners, mail the signed, completed application and supporting documents to:

EFI Incentive Processing
TN Appliance Rebate Program
Room AC Application
P.O. Box 1248
Westborough, MA 01581-1248

Rebate applications logged through the online reservation system or postmarked by January 14, 2012 will be eligible, provided funds are still available. Applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis, determined by the application’s postmarked date. Rebates will be distributed as a prepaid Citibank^® MasterCard^® and will take approximately 6-8 weeks to receive. Only one rebate per household will be accepted.

All rebates are processed by Conservation Services Group (CSG), a third-party rebate administrator selected by the state of Tennessee after a competitive bid process.  Questions about the Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program should be directed to CSG at 1-877-741-4304.

While that may raise an alarm in your mind, there’s no need to worry. The amount of mercury inside the glass tubes of an average CFL is miniscule—about the equivalent of the tip of a ballpoint pen―and it’s especially small when compared to other items you may have around your home. The amount of mercury in a CFL runs about 4-5 milligrams (mg), while a glass fever  thermometer contains 500 mg, and an old-style thermostat could contain up to 3,000 mg.

CFLs are safe to handle and use in your home, and they release no mercury when in operation. Even if you break a CFL, the amount of mercury that may become airborne poses a very low risk of exposure, says ENERGY STAR. (To prevent breakage, carefully unpack a CFL, and always screw and unscrew the bulb by its base.) When CFLs burn out or break, the best course of action is to recycle them.

Compact Fluorescent lamps (CFLs) contain tiny amounts of mercury, and they’re not alone. Many common household items also contain mercury.

CFLs fall into the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) category of Household Hazardous Waste (HHW), but there’s no federal (or Tennessee) requirement that the bulbs be recycled. There are several HHW recycling centers in our state that accept CFLs. Some hardware stores and other retailers may have CFL recycling buckets on hand. And you may be able to dispose of CFLs during your community’s annual hazardous waste collection event.

To find out if there’s a facility or store near you that accepts CFLs, go to the Earth 911 website at www.earth911.org, or call 800-CLEANUP. Be sure to call the facility or store that’s listed before you make the trip, to ensure that it allows homeowners or apartment dwellers to drop off CFLs.

If one of these recycling options is not available to you, you may put burned out or broken CFLs with your regular trash—but in no case should you burn or incinerate them. Here’s what EPA says about properly disposing of CFLs.

• Burned-out CFLs: Put the CFL in a sealed plastic bag, and place it with your regular trash.
• Broken CFLs: If you break a CFL in your home, open nearby windows to disperse any vapor that may escape, and carefully sweep up the glass shards. (Don’t use your hands!) Wipe the area with a damp paper towel to remove glass fragments; don’t use a vacuum cleaner. Put the fragments, the base of the bulb, and the paper towel in a sealed plastic bag, and place it with your regular trash.

CFLs are a great idea. They’ll help you cut your utility bills, and they’ll help reduce the need for electricity production. However, to create the maximum benefit for the environment, recycling burned-out and broken CFLs makes sense.

Source: Energy Star, NRDC

For the first time in more than 100 years, the basic incandescent lightbulb is getting a facelift. To accommodate new energy efficiency standards set by Congress (which require lightbulbs to be more efficient starting in 2012), a new generation of incandescent lightbulbs has entered the marketplace. These products boast energy savings of 25 percent and a lifespan up to three times longer than their soon-to-be extinct predecessors.

“Up to 12 percent of a typical monthly electric bill pays for lighting, so removing energy-wasting bulbs from the market will have a big impact on America’s energy use,” explains Erik Sorenson, a project manager with the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), which represents companies that make products used in the generation, transmission, distribution, control, and end use of electricity.

Retooled incandescent bulbs contain a small capsule of halogen gas that surrounds the filament, which increases efficiency and improves longevity, while retaining the shape, color choices, and dimming capabilities that consumers have favored in incandescent bulbs.

Under the federal Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, lightbulbs must be 28 percent more efficient than traditional incandescent bulbs (which use 90 of their energy producing heat) starting in 2012, and by 2020, they must be 70 percent more efficient. NEMA estimates the new standards could save Americans up to $15.8 billion per year.

Other options

The new generation incandescent bulbs will join compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs) and light-emitting diodes (LEDs) as energy-efficient lighting options. CFLs and LEDs both are about 75 percent more efficient than traditional incandescents. CFLs last about 10 times longer; LEDs about 25 times longer. But CFLs are the more economical choice at the moment. The cost of LEDs is expected to come down as the technology advances.

“With lighting legislation mandating more efficient technologies and consumers looking for every opportunity to save, navigating lighting solutions has never been so important,” emphasizes David Schuellerman, GE Lighting’s public relations manager.

Sources: U.S. Department of Energy (EnergySavers.gov), National Electrical Manufacturers Association, GE

With adequate attic insulation, your home’s heating/cooling system will operate more efficiently. It will keep you cooler in the summer and warmer in winter—and it will keep more money in your wallet. As TogetherWeSave.com has shown, adding insulation to your attic can save you $240 a year.

Older homes tend to have less attic insulation than newer ones. An energy audit can indicate whether additional insulation is needed.

Before adding insulation to your attic, determine how much insulation is already installed, what kind it is, and how thick it is. Next, you’ll need to know the R-value—which indicates the insulation’s resistance to heat—of existing attic insulation. The higher the R-value, the greater the insulating effectiveness. Once you know the R-value, you can determine how much insulation to add by using the U.S. Department of Energy’s Zip Code Insulation Program.

Now you’re ready to decide what kind of insulation to install: loose-fill or blanket (batt and roll) insulation. Loose-fill insulation consists of small particles of fiber, foam, or other materials. Blanket insulation, the most common and widely available type of insulation, comes in the form of batts and rolls made from mineral wool, plastic fibers, and natural fibers. Loose-fill insulation is usually less expensive to install than batt insulation. And when installed properly, loose-fill insulation can provide better coverage.

For other tips on how to save energy—and money—visit www.TogetherWeSave.com.