www.sgvenergywise.org How can improvements or remodeling save me money? S avings in the K itchen It is the most active room, the heart of the home. It presents the most opportunities to make an impact on your utility bills. Usage of lights & appliances, running water, gas, etc. can all be managed in a way that saves you money. This guide presents 3 levels of home improvements: Little to No Cost- $ A guide to better kitchen habits and quick changes that can be done today. Modest Budget- $ $ Changes you can make yourself with some cost and a free weekend. Major Changes that Require Permits- $ $ $ Changes that are regulated by the Energy Code, that require hiring a contractor, and getting permits from the city. Increase Attic Insulation Add a Ceiling Fan Add Vacancy Sensors Replace with Energy Star Appliances Replace with CFL light fixtures Replace with LED light fixtures Replace with a Cool Roof Add a Skylight or Solar Tube Seal the Gaps Replace Windows Increase Wall Insulation
I want to start saving energy in my kitchen right now. W hat ca n I do? Level $ Power Down Our kitchens have become the central hub of our homes. We do our office work, our homework, share meals, we hook-up and charge all our electronics in this multipurpose room; so let s power down. Computers, cable boxes and other electronic gadgets consume a surprising amount of energy. Be sure to unplug them and/or turn them off when you re not using them. If you have a computer in the kitchen, and you charge your electronic gadgets, use a power strip to turn them off. Cookware Put a lid on it when you can, like when boiling water. Cooking without lids can use up to 3 times more energy. Don t put a small pot on a large burner. When cooking on the stove, use a properly sized pot. Invest in high-quality cookware. A cheap pan with a warped bottom can use 50% more energy to boil water.
Lighting Turn off lights. This one is obvious. In addition to saving energy, turning off lights will keep your home cooler, reducing the need for, and use of, energy-intensive air conditioning. Appliances Use the oven light to check food instead of opening the door and losing so much heat. An efficient dishwasher, uses 37% LESS water than washing the dishes by hand in the sink. Wait until you have a full load to run the dishwasher. Almost the same amount of water is used for half full and full loads. Freeze smart. Believe it or not, freezers are more energy efficient when they re full which is basically an excuse to stock up on ice cream, when you think about it. Setting your refrigerator temperature between 34 and 38 degrees is best. Also, check the door seal to make sure your fridge isn t losing cold air throughout the day. Make sure your faucet isn t leaking. A leaky faucet not only wastes a precious resource, but can cost up to $35 a year in electricity or natural gas. Look at the Layout Locate heating appliances (stoves, ovens, and dishwashers) away from refrigerators. Let these appliances breath ; allow for adequate air space around each appliance. Use your kitchen exhaust hood (select one that exhausts to the outside instead of recirculating kitchen air through a charcoal filter).
How can I start saving energy in my kitchen Wi t h a M o d e s t B u d g e t? Level $$ Lighting Replace standard light bulbs with CFL (compact fluorescent lights) or LED (light emitting diode) light bulbs. They deliver lots of light using less power. Seal the cracks Air leakage occurs when outside air enters a house uncontrollably through cracks and openings. The most significant air leakage tends to occur around door and window frames. Ceiling air grilles and recessed lights, have small gaps that open into the attic - a direct route for conditioned air to escape. Sealing the cracks significantly reduces cooling and heating costs, create a healthier indoor environment, and, as an added bonus, helps to prevent bugs from finding their way into the kitchen. HVAC - Are your Air Ducts clean? Contaminants that are pulled into the A/C system are re-circulated 5-7 times per day. A clean A/C system doesn t have to work as hard to sustain the temperature you want and you ll also have better air quality. Change your air filter every 2 to 4 months. Clean your air ducts every 3 to 5 years.
Important information about APPLIANCES Whether simply replacing the old or doing a full remodel $ 3 0 b i l l i o n : M o n e y s a v e d b y A m e r i c a n s u s i n g E N E R G Y S T A R a p p l i a n c e s, l i g h t s, a n d w i n d o w s i n 2 0 1 3, s a v i n g t h e e n e r g y e q u i v a l e n t t o 2 7 7 m i l l i o n m e t r i c t o n s o f g r e e n h o u s e g a s e m i s s i o n s. Select ENERGY STAR rated appliances. Your ENERGY STAR refrigerator, dishwasher, range/oven and small appliances will save you money. Start with your Refrigerator. More than 60 million refrigerators in America are over 10 years old, costing consumers $4.7 billion a year in energy costs. Improvements in insulation and compressors have made today s refrigerator much more efficient than older models. S l a s h yo u r e l e c t r i c b i l l s w i t h a n Energ y Star Ce r t i f i e d R e f r i g e rato r w h i c h a re a b o u t 1 0 % m o re e f f i c i e nt t h a n re f r i g e rato r s t h at o n l y m e e t t h e federal m i n i m u m s t a n d a rd s. Choosing your new refrigerator: Be sure to right-size your refrigerator; bigger means more energy use. Consider one with a capacity of 14-18 cubic feet. Select a refrigerator that does NOT have a through-the-door ice dispenser. It is best to avoid side-by-side models since they are energy hogs. Look at the yellow EnergyGuide label. Pick one that shows very low annual energy use (if possible, aim for 350 kwh/year or less). There are no permits required when you replace your appliances, but permits may be required if you move or add electrical receptacles.
Out with the OLD and IN with the NEW Major Changes with a REMODEL Level $$$ Building Envelope U n d e r t a king a kitc h e n re m o d e l i s a b i g d e a l, a n d a g o o d o p p o r t u n i t y to i m p rove t h e s kin of yo u r home, the building enve l o p e. D u r i n g the re m o d e l it is possible that t h e wa l l s a n d ceiling w i l l b e o p e n e d u p, p e r h a p s t h e ro o f m ay n e e d to b e re p l a ced. Th e s e a re t h e b u i l d i n g e nve l o p e a n d i m p rove m e nts to t h e m l a s t a l i fetime. Roof and Attic I f s o m e o r a l l o f yo u r ro o f n e e d s to b e re p l a ced a s p a r t o f yo u r kitc h e n re m o d e l, u s e a cool ro o f. I t i s n o t re q u i re d by t h e Ca l i fornia Energ y Co d e, b u t i t i s t h e f i r s t l i n e o f d e fense to ke e p h e at o u t o f yo u r h o m e. Yo u r at t i c i s w h e re yo u c a n m a ke a h u g e i m p a c t to re d u ce h e at g a i n o r l o s s. I n t h e s u m m e r, t h e at t i c c a n exceed 1 2 0 d e g re e s s o A D D I N S U LTAT I O N m i n i m u m R-30 (about 12 t h i c k ). An attic with insulation under the roof sheathing increases duc t efficienc y. For more energy saving details, please see the handout Cool Roof. If you add batts on top of the ceiling, your A/C duc ts will be running through the hot air. If you add insulation just under the roof, then the attic is considered conditioned space and the A/C system runs more efficiently. In either case, seal all gaps and cracks to prevent conditioned air leaking out. Minimum Required by Energy Code: Install R-30 insulation. Seal all cracks at the roof-to-wall joints.
Walls are filled with insulation designed to keep cool air in and heat out. The measurement of how well they do this is called R-value. Replacing Insulation R-13 is required for 2x4 wood framing but by adding rigid insulation over the exterior plywood sheathing, you stop heat before it gets into the wall. Minimum Required by Energy Code: R-11 insulation for existing walls. R-13 insulation for new 2x4 walls. R-19 insulation for new 2x6 walls. For more energy saving details, please see the handout Insulate. Just like walls, windows are designed to keep cool air in and heat out. The measurement of how well they do this is called U-factor. Replacing Windows In measuring the U-factor (Window Insulation Factor) and the SHGC (Solar Heat Gain Coefficient) of windows, lower is always better. Minimum Required by Energy Code: If you replace less than 75 sq. ft. of old windows, the required values are: U-value = 0.40 min. SHGC = 0.35 min. For more energy saving details, please see the handout Window. High Efficac y (LED or CFL) Recessed Light Fixtures. Lighting Design Pick a focus area, like an island, to highlight with special lighting. Use high efficiency lighting everywhere else. Minimum Required by Energy Code: At least half (50%) of the light fixtures must be high efficacy (meaning high efficiency) lighting. For more energy saving details, please see the handout Electricity. Daylighting Use sunlight to light the kitchen (also consider the rest of the house) by installing solar tubes and/or skylights. Natural light makes food look better, is visually pleasing, and is free.
The steps you ne e d to follow REPL ACE, or ADD to your current system What should YOU do when remodeling your k itchen? Assemble the right design team to plan out a budget, design, and construction plans for your desired improvements. Select the right contractor one who is licensed and understands Energy Code requirements. Submit certificates, application and plans as a part of getting a permit from your building department. Schedule inspections with your local building inspector to review paperwork including certificates and work completed. Inspections may include preinspection, tests, and final inspection. Things to consider when your kitchen remodel project includes the exterior of your home. If you simply replace something, say a window that is the same size and appearance, check with the Building Department for permit information. If you alter the look of the exterior, like changing the size of your windows or adding a french door, check with your City Planner and/or your HOA (Homeowner s Association) for limitations or restrictions, especially if your home is considered historic. Visit your local Building and Planning Department for very helpful information including specific requirements for permit submittal and approvals. Design approval submittal may be required.
B u i l d i n g D e p a r t m e n t C h e c k l i s t P l a n s, P e r m i t, a n d I n s p e c t i o n For PLANS and PERMIT TO OBTAIN a PERMIT, submit 1. Building Permit Application and Fees. 2. Energy Code Certificates (if needed) for A/C work or new lighting. a. For minor work related to HVAC: Certificate of Compliance Form CF1R-ALT-05-E Residential Alteration. b. For altered or added lighting fixtures: Certificate of Compliance Form CF1R-ALT-01-E Residential Alterations for Lighting/Electrical Conformance. 3. Construction Plans & Photos. For CLOSEOUT TO COMPLETE THE PROJECT: 1. Schedule inspections with the City. 2. Complete ALL applicable Certificates of Installation and Field Verification forms. For example, for lighting you will need Certificate of Installation Form CF2R-LTG-01-E. 3. Assemble and provide to the inspector all product information, product labels and forms. APPLICATION FLOOR PLANS CERTIFICATE CERTIFICATE
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