Experts give tips on how to reduce energy costs

By Dave Cox, Staff Writer

There are many ways to conserve energy and save money, according to local experts.

Some of the changes involve simple adjustments.

Changing from incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescent bulbs can make a big difference in energy use.

“An 11 watt compact fluorescent bulb can do the same job as a 60 watt incandescent bulb,” McLeod Co-operative Power Energy Management Specialist Shannon Jerabek said.

The new bulbs also offer better light colors than previous fluorescent bulbs, he added.

The compact fluorescent bulbs can also last up to 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs, according to Wright-Hennepin Marketing and Communication Specialist Rich Whitcomb.

Jerabek and Whitcomb both recommend regular maintenance on heating and cooling systems, including changing filters at manufacturer recommended intervals.

“A lot of people forget about changing the filters during the summer months,” Jerabek commented.

He added that having duct work cleaned can improve air flow, so your furnace works less.

Turning off computers and other electronic equipment when it is not being used can also reduce energy use.

Whitcomb recommends washing and drying only full loads of clothes, and cleaning the lint filter after every use to save energy.

Installing a low-flow shower head can reduce hot water use, Jerabek said.

Homeowners with electric water heaters can also purchase an insulating blanket for about $15 (not for use with gas water heaters), to improve efficiency, he added.

Other inexpensive options that can reduce heat loss are plastic window insulating kits, and foam pads that homeowners can install behind outlets and switch plates.

Jerabek said that some air-cleaning filters can reduce air flow and cause furnaces to lose efficiency, so homeowners may be better off buying room air filters.

Having the proper amount of insulation helps to conserve energy and keep homes warmer in winter and cooler in summer.

Blow-in insulation is easy to apply if additional insulation is needed, Jerabek commented.

Lifestyle changes can also make a difference.

Cooking indoors during hot summer days heats up the house and increases cooling costs.

Grilling outdoors is one way to avoid this situation, Jerabek said.

Landscaping can also help to conserve energy.

Whitcomb said that the Minnesota Department of Public Service recommends planting trees at specific locations to shade west and east windows, and to create a windbreak.

It is estimated that proper tree placement can reduce air conditioning costs by 25 percent and total annual heating and cooling costs by 10 to 20 percent, according to Whitcomb.

Energy Star appliances

Both Jerabek and Whitcomb recommend that consumers consider purchasing Energy Star appliances.

Products that have earned the Energy Star label meet strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the EPA and the US Department of Energy.

People who purchase Energy Star appliances may be eligible to receive tax credits from the federal government and rebates from their local electricity provider, according to Whitcomb.

Geothermal options

What if there was a system that could reduce your heating and cooling costs by 50 percent or more, reduce pollution, and reduce dependence on fossil fuels?

Ed Lehto, president of Palo Companies in Cokato, says there is such a system.

Geothermal systems, also known as ground source heat pumps, can provide heating and cooling in a single unit.

The systems work by pumping an antifreeze solution through a loop of plastic tubing.

The solution disperses or picks up heat, depending on whether it is heating or cooling season.

The systems rely on the fact that the earth maintains a nearly constant temperature of about 55 degrees.

The heated or cooled solution is then used to heat or cool a home or commercial building.

Some systems have options that include radiant floor heating, and heating domestic hot water.

Lehto said that people who install a geothermal system will pay from one half to one third of the cost to heat and cool their homes than they would with a conventional system.

“We are starting to see a gradual change in the popularity of geothermal systems,” Lehto said.

The increasing cost of energy is one factor that is making the systems more attractive to consumers.

The biggest drawback to the systems is the up-front cost, which is typically $12,000 to $15,000 more than a traditional system, according to Lehto.

The amount of money homeowners will save depends on factors such as how much they are currently paying for heating and cooling costs, and how well insulated their homes are.

Some utility companies offer dual-fuel rates that will save homeowners money for the power they do use.

“Dual-fuel customers save more than half of the cost of fuel,” Lehto said.

Typically, geothermal systems are most attractive to customers who plan to remain in their homes for 10 to 15 years, because of the longer payback period for these systems. People who plan to stay in their homes for five years or less are more likely to opt for conventional systems, Lehto said.

Different geothermal systems are available for different applications.

Some use a loop system that is installed in trenches.

Lehto prefers to use a series of wells because it is less disruptive to the homeowner’s yard.

The wells are generally 180 to 200 feet deep, and a typical residential installation uses four to six wells spaced 10 to 12 feet apart.

The systems can be adapted to most lot sizes, and the wells can even be installed under driveways, Lehto said.

Geothermal systems are also well suited to public or commercial buildings.

“The bank in Howard Lake has a geothermal system. There are about 50 wells buried under their parking lot,” Lehto commented.

The technology has improved over the years, and Lehto said one of the biggest challenges is educating people about the benefits of geothermal systems.

“About 75 percent of the equipment we install is geothermal systems,” Lehto said.

The systems are reliable but Lehto encourages customers to have some type of backup system.

“A geothermal system is ecologically friendly, reduces pollution, and reduces our energy needs,” Lehto said.

Even those who do not opt for a geothermal system can take steps to improve efficiency.

“No matter what kind of system you have, you should make sure that the system is working properly. If you have a system that is designed to operate at 80 percent efficiency, it might be running at 50 or 60 percent efficiency. Having your system checked and maintained could result in a 20 to 30 percent savings on your heating bill,” Lehto said.

Another benefit of maintaining your heating system is that it might help avoid problems at inconvenient times.

“We have been out on service calls nine out of the last 10 Christmases to help people whose heat was out,” Lehto commented.