You can save a lot of money by installing or improving insulation. Insulation retards the flow of heat and is one of the most cost-effective investments that you can make. The effectiveness of insulation is measured by its tested resistance to heat flow and is known by its "R" value. The greater the "R" value, the greater the effectiveness. One of the easiest and most effective places to install insulation is in the attic, since heat rises from the heated rooms below. Insulation comes in many different forms including the familiar fiberglass, Styrofoam, vermiculite, pouring wool, cellulose materials such as shredded newspaper, and numerous "foamed-in-place" types. Particularly within the fiberglass and rigid foamed board types, there are a variety of choices of heat-reflective coatings. Properly installed insulation always improves comfort and reduces heating and cooling costs.

Estimated Cost Savings:
Heating buildings is one of the largest expenditures of energy in the nation and one of the greatest opportunities for saving. The average U.S. household spent more than $2,350 in 1999 for energy: $1,200 for home energy and $1,150 for motor gasoline to run vehiclesOf the $1,200 spent in the home, nearly half is spent for heating and and in aggregate, amounted to more than $50 billion in 1999.  In general terms, when you double the R value of your insulation, the heat flow through the insulated surface will halve. Your bill, however, may not halve because of other, less well-insulated surfaces in the building. Typical savings for retrofit insulation are on the order of 20-30% of your heating bill. For a monthly heating bill of $200, this can amount to $40-$60 in savings.

To get a home energy assessment or to find out more about energy efficiency, contact me at: 310.924.4631or email me at: janet@callmalibuhome.com.

Today everyone wants to know how they can help protect our environment.  This emailer is dedicated to providing tips on how you can make an impact on our environment.  For more detailed information please go to www.malibugreensolutions.com and find out how my new business venture can help you.

How is my home effecting the environment?
Did you know that the building sector uses 76 percent of all the electricity generated annually by U.S. power plants and that residential and commercial buildings are responsible for almost half of all green house gases produced annually--nearly twice the levels created by transportation.

Did you know that our homes use:

• 3.7-7 gallons of water per flush on older toilets
• 8-14 gallons of water per cycle for dishwashers
• 45 gallons/load of water for top-loading washers
• 15-21 gallons per day wasted water on a dripping faucet

What's your Carbon Footprint?

Al Gore's documentary film "An Inconvenient Truth" raised awareness of the correlation between global warming and carbon dioxide gas, the main culprit of global warming. The film pointed out that global warming can be halted or reversed by reducing the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere, that is, by reducing our collective and individual carbon footprint.

A carbon footprint is the "measure of the impact human activities have on the environment in terms of the amount of green house gases produced, measured in units of carbon dioxide," according to the Web site www.carbonfootprint.com. The average American emits 9.44 tons of carbon dioxide annually. To determine how large your carbon footprint is and to learn ways to reduce its size, visit: http://www.carbonfootprint.com/ or http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/ind_calculator.html.

Here are a few items that will cost you no money at all and will in fact save you money.

• Turn it off when not in use (lights, television, DVD player, Hi Fi, computer etc. etc. ...)
• Turn down the central heating slightly (try just 1 to 2 degrees C)
• Turn down the water heating setting (just 2 degrees will make a significant saving)
• Check the central heating timer setting - remember there is no point heating the house after you have left for work
• Fill your dish washer and washing machine with a full load - this will save you water, electricity, and washing powder
• Fill the kettle with only as much water as you need
• Unplug your mobile phone as soon as it has finished charging
• Defrost your fridge/freezer regularly
• Do your weekly shopping in a single trip
• Hang out the washing to dry rather than tumble drying it
• Go for a run rather than drive to the gym
   

The following is a list of items that may take an initial investment.  Call me at: 310.924.4631 to get local referrals.  They should pay for themselves over the course of 1-4 years through savings on your energy bills.

• Fit energy saving light bulbs
• Install thermostatic valves on your radiators
• Insulate your hot water tank, your loft and your walls.  35% of heat generated in the house is lost through the walls.
• By installing 180mm thick loft insulation you could stop about 25% of your heating escaping through the roof
• Recycle your grey water
• Replace your old fridge / freezer (if it is over 15 years old), with a new one with energy efficiency rating of "A"
• Replace your old boiler with a new energy efficient condensing boiler

Not to worry, some of the things we can do are quite simple and easily accomplished, like turning off lights and using energy efficient lighting like LED or CFLs. The best part is that any savings in energy also equates to a savings in money. Not only can we help the environment, but at the same time we can add to our pocketbooks.