HENRY CHUNG – HOME ENERGY CONSULTANT & INSPECTION
C alifornia H ome E nergy E fficiency R ating S ystem (C.H.E.E.R.S.)
Certified Home Energy Inspector CHEERS Certification #: CCNHC669747
Tel: 650-697-7296, Cell: 650-219-8928. Email: hkhk@pacbell.net
C.H.E.E.R.S. California Home Energy Efficiency Rating System
Thank you for visiting my Home Energy saving website. This page is a guide to help you improve the energy efficiency, cost, and human comfort of your home. You will get back your energy upgrade investment by paying less utility bills. Furthermore, upgrading your property to an energy efficiency house not only provide human comfort but also increase the value of your house.
California Home Energy Efficiency Rating System, Inc. (CHEERS) is a California Statewide non-profit organization dedicated to promoting energy efficiency. A CHEERS Rating is a nationally recognized and accredited computerized analysis of the specific home being inspected that can be used to secure additional financing for improvements, to identify an existing home's energy efficiency and to identify "cost-effective" energy improvements that will reduce the costs of electric and gas utility bills. CHEERS was created to provide a simple, accurate and reliable method of measuring the existing energy efficiency of a home, estimate the annual costs of the existing home and provide a list of energy saving recommendations for improvements to the home.
The California Energy Commission has approved CHEERS as the first home-energy rating provider under the Home Energy Rating System regulations. Working as a non-profit, independent third party for testing, verification, and certification, CHEERS provides certified Home Energy Rating System (HERS) raters to California Homes.
The detailed CHEERS Rating Report provides the consumer with the information they need to make an educated choice in how they will spend their energy dollars. The Rating Report includes an evaluation of the types of lighting and windows in a home, heating and cooling equipment, the distribution system, thermostat controls, etc. The computerized analysis will factor in the climate zone of the home and the utility rates for the location of the home.
Using the CHEERS Report, consumers everywhere can begin to control their energy costs by choosing to improve the energy efficiency of the home they currently own, or will own in the future. There is no better time to increase a home's energy efficiency than now. With energy costs rising, consumers need all the help they can get in controlling where their hard-earned income will go.
The Home Energy Efficiency Rating especially for Your Home costs about $180 to $380 for property area up to 5,000 square feet. The Energy Audit fee is depended on the size of your home. Property area greater than 5,000 square feet will cost more. After the Energy Audit, you will have a clear picture of your home energy. You have your own choice to upgrade your home depend on the recommendation to match with your budget. You will save money by paying less utility bills thereafter and enjoy living in an efficiency energy home.
If you have any questions, please contact the following for FREE consultation:
PG&E at (800) 933-9555 or www.pge.com,
CHEERS at (800) 424-3377 or www.cheers.org,
or HENRY CHUNG at 650-219-8928
To find a Home Energy Rater in you area, please click "HERE"
A). Everyday Tips on Saving Energy & Money at Home:
1. Turn off heating and cooling equipment when not needed or leaving away for extended periods.
2. Check filter on heating & cooling equipment every 30 days of use. Clean or replace if necessary.
3. Set thermostat for heating at 68 degrees during the day and 58 degrees at night.
4. Set thermostat for air conditioning at 78 degrees or higher.
5. Use ceiling fans and portable fans in conditioning with air conditioning.
6. Reduce use of heat generating appliances during the day, such as lighting.
7. Turn down your water heater temperature to 120 F degrees.
8. Use full loads when washing clothes and use cool/warm water whenever possible.
9. Use oven/range self-cleaning feature sparingly and during cool times of day/evening.
10. As refrigerator is running 24 hours a day, it can eat up more electricity than any other appliance in your home. New, efficient models use as little as half the electricity of older units.
11. Maintain refrigerator temperature at 37 to 40 degrees.
12. Maintain freezer temperature at zero to 10 degrees.
13. Check refrigerator door seals to ensure they are not cracked and seal properly. Clean condenser coils every six months.
14. Keep refrigerator as full as possible and turn off extra refrigerator/freezer when not in use.
15. Turn off dishwasher during dry cycle or use energy saving setting.
16. Operate pool equipment during cool times of day/evening and keep pool filters and strainer clean.
17. Minimize operating time of pump and pool sweep (4-6 hours during summer, 2-3 hours during winter).
To find a Home Energy Rater in you area, please click "HERE"
If you have any questions, please contact the following for free consultation:
PG&E at (800) 933-9555 or www.pge.com,
CHEERS at (800) 424-3377 or www.cheers.org,
or HENRY CHUNG at 650-697-7296; Cell: 650-219-8928
B). C.H.E.E.R.S. Home Energy Saving Items.
INSULATION
Insulation is one of the hidden features that affect the energy use in your home. Adding insulation to increase R-Value will keep heat inside during the cold winter months and heat outside during the hot summer months. It is one of the most cost-effective improvements anyone can make.
INSULATION RECOMMENDATIONS
Insulate Attic up to R-value 38
Insulate external up to R-value 22
Insulate external or floor between garage and living area up to R-value 19
Insulation Tips
The easiest and most cost-effective way to insulate your home is to add the proper amount of insulation in your ceiling / attic.
Insulation installed into the existing walls will depend upon the specific conditions that apply to your home. The construction of the wall itself will be an important factor in determining the feasibility, the cost of installing and actual benefit. A good time to add wall insulation occurs when you plan to paint your home, which would cover up any marks made when insulation is installed.
Floor insulation is often not a cost-effective choice. If shown here it is simply to illustrate the relative value of this improvement compared to the insulation options for ceilings and walls.
WATER HEATING
Water heating typically accounts for about 15% to 25% of your utility bill. Although most water heaters have useful life of 10 to 15 years factors such as high mineral content in your water pipe insulation, along with low-flow faucets and showerheads can help reduce the water-heating portion of your energy bill.
WATER HEATING RECOMMENDATIONS
Upgrade water heater ext wrap (WH01) from none to R-12
Replace water heater distributed system (WHO1) with Pipe Insulation
Install low-flow devices (WH01)
Water heating Improvement Tips
Adding insulation to your existing water heater can be an easy, low cost improvement. However, later model tanks are already insulated and the manufacturer may explicitly state that no external insulation should be added. Be sure to check your tank carefully for such a notice before proceeding to add insulation.
Reducing the amount of water that you use by installing low-flow faucets and showerheads is the most direct way to conserve. You save not only the energy to heat the water, but also the energy to get the water to your home and the water itself. Devices using 2.5 gallons per minute are readily available at home improvement and hardware stores.
Pipe insulation, particularly within the first five feet of the tank, for both hot and cold water lines slows the loss of heat from the water.
A solar system can provide 15%-25% during the winter and 80%-100% in the summer of the energy for a typical home’s hot water needs. This option is th4e most costly and requires a location with sufficient sun exposure. However, it is truly renewable energy.
AIR LEAKAGE REDUCTION
Warm air leaking into your home during the summer and out of your home during the winter can waste a substantial portion of your energy dollars. One of the quickest dollar-saving tasks you can do is caulk, seal and weather-strips all seams, cracks and openings to the outside. You can save as much as 10%, or more, on your energy bill by reducing the air leaks in your home.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Upgrade infiltration and repair air leaks to ELA: 95
Factors that may be affecting heating/cooling air loss in your home include:
Heating/Cooling Air Ducts Window Air Conditioner
Windows/Frames Doors/Frames
Wall Outlets Pipe Penetrations
Exhaust Fans Fireplace
One method of maximizing your energy savings, health and comfort is by working with a weatherization professional who users special testing equipment to pinpoint locations where air leakage occurs.
HEATING and COOLING EQUIPMENT
You can save money and increase comfort through upgrading and properly maintaining your heating and cooling equipment. This along with the appropriate insulation, weatherization and thermostat settings can reduce your energy bills and make for a cleaner, more comfortable environment both inside your house and out!
HEATING and COOLING EQUIPMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
Upgrade heating system efficiency to form AFUE .80 to AFUE.90
Perform duct leak test-upgrade duct efficiency to 85.0 %
Add set back thermostat
Factors that may be affecting heating/cooling air loss in your home include:
Heating/Cooling Air Ducts Window Air Conditioner
Windows/Frames Doors/Frames
Wall Outlets Pipe Penetrations
Exhaust Fans Fireplace
One method of maximizing your energy savings, health and comfort is by working with a weatherization professional who users special testing equipment to pinpoint locations where air leakage occurs.
HEATING and COOLING EQUIPMENT
You can save money and increase comfort through upgrading and properly maintaining your heating and cooling equipment. This along with the appropriate insulation, weatherization and thermostat settings can reduce your energy bills and make for a cleaner, more comfortable environment both inside your house and out!
WINDOW RECOMMENDATIONS
Upgrade window glazing: with Double Clear Low E (Vinyl)
Install outside window sunscreens
WINDOW Tips
When selecting replacement windows it is best to determine if you have a grater need for heating versus cooling performance. For example, if the summer afternoon sun is a problem, you should consider a windows solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) as an important performance feature. If winter drafts are a problem, look for windows with a low U-value. Today window with spectrally selective glass can out-perform standard ones for both heating and cooling.
You can improve the winter performance of your existing windows by installing insulating window shades on windows that feel drafty after weatherizing. You can also make a difference by closing your curtains and shades and keeping them open during the day.
For the summer you can install removable shade screens on the east, south and west facing windows for a dramatic difference. Remember to take them off in winter and take advantage of the sun’s heat.
HOME APPLIANCE
Replacing existing incandescent lighting with compact fluorescent lighting can save up to 25% of your home lighting portion of your energy bill.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Replace incandescent lighting with energy efficient fluorescent lighting.
Appliance Related Improvement Tips
Replacing existing incandescent lighting with compact fluorescent lighting can save up to 25% of your home lighting portion of your energy bill.
If your home has a pool or spa consider installing covers that will significantly reduce your energy costs as will also the addition of solar heating equipment.
To find a Home Energy Rater in you area, please click "HERE"
C). Some Addition Comments on Home Energy Saving:
1. In California, gas is cheaper than electricity and gas is powerful than electricity. We recommend using gas as much as possible such as gas furnace, gas dryer and cooking stove etc.
2. As heat rises upward, the ceiling insulation is the most important area to prevent heat loss. Upgrading your ceiling insulation from R-18 to R-38 should be your first priority.
3. Insulation is the key to keeping your home comfortable any time of the year. The best time to insulate walls is when you are remodeling or before painting.
4. The worst location to place portable heater or electricity heater is the area close to openings such as windows and doors. As heat or warm air is easily escaped through openings and opening gaps.
5. Beside double panel windows can prevent heat loss, the installation of curtains or blinds can also reduce heat loss through windows. Comparatively, curtain is better than blind to prevent heat loss. Actually, any additional layer installed over windows can provide additional insulation.
6. Today’s water heater has high efficiency and it comes with a built-in R-6 insulation. It is still better to wrap an additional R-6 insulation blanket on top of the water heater to obtain the total insulation of R-12.
7. All exposed hot water pipes need to be insulated with a pipe insulation to prevent heat loss, especially the first 5 feet from the water heater. This is the area that most heat loss occurred.
8. Weather stripping and caulking around openings such as windows and doors will help to get rid of unwanted drafts.
9. Low-flow showerheads not only save water but also save gas to produce hot water. Saving gas will reduce your utility bills.
10. An additional ‘on & off’ switch before the showerhead can save hot water while applying soap. This is also saving gas.
11. The longer the hot water pipes the greater the heat loss. The location of the water heater is better located at the center of the house.
12. Solar power is a good idea to save energy in long term.
13. New compact fluorescent light bulbs come in various shapes and sizes. It uses only 25% of the normal electricity light bulbs. A dimmer is not recommended for energy saving. It is because the dimmer uses electricity to work and also the fluorescent light can not be used with a dimmer.
14. Look for the ENERGY STAR label on household appliance, home electronics, heating and cooling equipment, windows and residential light fixtures. These products use less energy than other products.
15. Here are some home energy efficiency information resources:
Residential saving energy rebates information:
http ://www.fypower.com/res/tools/rgl.html
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)
http://www.consumerenergycenter.org/index.html
Environmental Energy Technologies Division:
http://eetd.lbl.gov/links.html
To find a Home Energy Rater in you area, please click " HERE "
If you have any questions, please contact:
PG&E at (800) 933-9555 or www.pge.com,
CHEERS at (800) 424-3377 or www.cheers.org,
or HENRY CHUNG at 650-697-7296; Cell: 650-219-7360
D). Glossary of terms used in this page.
Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE):
The measure of the percentage of heat from the combustion of gas or oil is transferred of the space being heated.
Acceptable efficiencies range is from .78 to .90.
Air Leakage/Air Infiltration:
The amount of air leaking in and out of a building will go through cracks in walls, windows and doors. Outside pressure caused by wind and inside pressure produced by operating features such as HAVC equipment and exhaust fans can accelerate the rate of air exchange.
Blow Door
A fan powered device used to pressurize or depressurize a house in order to determine the rate of air leakage (infiltration).
Duct Pressurization
A diagnostic used to test heating/cooling air ducts for leakage.
Energy Factor (EF)
EF is an energy efficiency rating of most water heating equipment. Acceptable efficiencies range from .53 to over one for some electric water heating technologies.
Energy Guide Labels
Labels placed on appliances to enable consumers to compare appliance energy efficiency and energy consumption under specified test conditions as required by the Federal Trade Commission.
ENERGY STARS
Collaboration between U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and many companies, which are designated to prevent and reduce pollution by helping consumers, buy products that use less energy. The ENERGY STARS label and other activities raise awareness about the environmental and economic benefits of energy efficient products and help consumes easily identify them when shopping.
Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (FSPF)
SFPF is the measure of seasonal or annual efficiency of a heat pump operating in the heat mode. Acceptable efficiencies range from 6.5 to 8.0+ with higher numbers being more efficient.
League of California Homeowners (LCH):
LCH formed in January of 1993 in Southern California with the purpose of providing homeowners with a central resource of information pertaining to home remodeling, real estate transactions and financing. The League is a statewide non-profit organization with 10,000 homeowner members.
R-Value
Insulation is rated in terms of thermal resistance called R-Value, which indicates the resistance to heat flow. The higher the R-Value gives the greater the insulating effectiveness.
Seasonal Energy Efficiency ratio (SEER)
SEER is a measure of seasonal or annual efficiency of a central air conditioner or air conditioning heat pump. Acceptable efficiencies range from 10 to 16+ with higher numbers being more efficient.
Solar heat gain coefficient (SHHGC)
The fraction of solar radiation admitted through a window or skylight. It is expressed as a number between zero and one. The lower the window’s solar heat gains coefficient, the less solar heat it transmits and the greater its shading ability.
Spectrally Selective
This is a type of glass, which reduces heat loss in winter as well as heat gain in summer. Compared to most tinted and reflective glazing this glass provides a higher level of visible light transmission for a given amount of solar heat reduction.
Solar Screen
An exterior shading device installed to intercept solar radiation.
Title 24
Title 24 is a section in the California Code of regulations on the energy efficiency requirements for buildings. New homes must be built in compliance with these rules, which may also apply to certain remodeling, and renovation projects as well.
U-Value
Manufactures usually represent the energy efficiency of windows in terms of their U-Value (conductance of heat) or their R-Values (resistance to heat flow). If a window’s R-value is high, it will lose less heat than one with a lower R-Value. Conversely, if a window’s U-Value is low it will lose less heat than one with a higher U-Value.
To find a Home Energy Rater in you area, please click " HERE "
By HENRY CHUNG