Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, March 21, 1993 TAG: 9303190501
SECTION: TODAYS HOME PAGE: TH-30 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By SARAH COX
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
ENERGY, ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES ESCAPING THE BACK BURNER
There seems to be a cooperative push, from President Clinton on down to competing energy suppliers, for more efficient uses of energy and thus a cleaner environment.When the Roanoke Gas Company pushes aside a chance to jab at competition and instead, advises us to install better windows, more insulation, turn the thermostat down and consider high-efficiency burners at a greater up-front cost that will realize greater savings, then you know that energy is bound to be one of the key turn-of-the-century concerns.
Gary Woods of Woods Heating & Air Conditioning said that he doesn't think people in this area are concerned enough, yet, "rates only go up. We need to be concerned with the future. Most people buy standard equipment, because the initial cost of energy-efficient equipment," which can be about 20 percent more, said Woods.
But according to the 1993 Average Operating Cost Comparison study done by the American Gas Association, it costs approximately $373 to heat a 1,500 square-foot, well-insulated home with a conventional gas furnace, and only $322 to heat the same home with a high-efficiency unit. With a conventional oil furnace, that cost is $452, but goes down to $423 with a high-efficiency unit.
Water heaters show an even more dramatic comparison: A conventional gas water heater costs $171 annually, and a high efficiency gas water heater costs $124. A conventional electric water heater costs $444, while a high efficiency electric water heater will cost $380 annually.
Now there's incentive for you. And here's another: Clinton's proposed tax of 25.7 cents per every 1 million Btus for natural gas, coal and nuclear power. According to the American Gas Association, "Such a tax would end up adding about $24 to the average annual bill of a natural gas-heated home; total energy costs would go up about $123 a year, and even more in colder regions of the country." Oil would be taxed 59.9 cents per million Btus.
Making your home more energy efficient is the one way, for now, to combat the looming increase in rates and taxes. In addition to installing more energy-efficient furnaces, you can take advantage of check lists that Appalachian Power and Roanoke Gas Company both supply.
Some key points are:
Clean or change filters;
Make sure outlets aren't blocked;
Vacuum heating grills and outlets;
Set thermostat between 74 and 78 degrees for summer coolness;
Make sure no leaky faucets waste water, and take showers instead of baths;
Take advantage of solar power by opening draperies on sunny days and closing them at night;
Add insulation to side walls, and install storm windows and doors, weatherstripping, and caulking around window and door frames;
Close your chimney damper when your fireplace is not in use;
Install a new, clock thermostat that can be set to automatically lower temperatures at bedtime and raise them again in the morning;
Do cold water washes in lieu of warm water for clothes.
There are more simple ways to tighten up your drafty house and get a grip on the fuel bill.
According to Woods, the greatest energy loss is through windows and doors; double-pane windows with high R-value ratings will help with this. And "not enough can be said about insulation," said Woods, who recommended R-30 in the attic, and R-13 in the walls and under the floor.
Another tip from Woods: "get your body temperature used to living three degrees below your standard heat."
Robb Glenn of Roanoke Gas Company said alternative fuel sources for vehicles is another way to combat fuel usage and save expenses. According to Glenn, vehicles are the biggest pollutants in the country, and in addition to propane and methane, a natural gas pipeline and distribution network is already in place.
Another alternative: sunrooms. Although these can be tricky, and if not placed right you will end up losing as much energy as you gain, there are positive aspects to a solarium.
Richard Fitton of Sunshine Building and Remodeling said that this type of product is not for everybody. "Most of my customers will put on one to enlarge their living space. I do believe that in the future, fossil fuel will become a problem, and we will have to look more toward solar, water and nuclear power. This is just an alternative. You can get excellent solar benefits if you construct your addition properly and use proper checks and balances, so you don't overheated in the summer," said Fitton.
Choosing the right glass, and considering shades to screen out solar power in the summer and cold in the winter are two ways to work with a solarium. Another suggestion of Fitton's is to close off the solarium from the rest of the house, and to make sure to pour a good floor - concrete with ceramic tile, for instance - that will absorb heat during the day and give it off at night.
Gary Feazell of F&S Building and Remodeling said that just since the first of the year, he has seen an increased interest in solariums.
"What we tell our customers is that the best glass room is going to be warmer than a thick, insulated room. In the summer, it's going to take more to cool, and less to heat in the winter. But shades help tremendously - it can increase the R-value four or five notches," said Feazell.
Feazell, who has not seen much of an interest in solar panels, made some for himself years ago to heat his hot water. But solariums are definitely more popular. "We've had the best January in solarium sales ever. The reason for sales escalation is the fact that people are becoming more aware of the product - and they like to eat breakfast in `the out-of-doors.' "