Hot Water Improvements Top Warm Climate Weatherization Measures

Low-flow showerheads got the highest savings-to-investment rating in the study, but that category was given a low confidence rating. More studies are needed.

Energy conservation measures for warm climates may differ from those for cold climates because they must not only reduce conduction of heat between the outside and the inside of the house, but also reduce the effects of the sun. In cold weather, the heat from the sun helps cut energy costs, but in hot climates, it adds to the cooling bill.

The researchers from Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Mike Gettings and Michaela Martin, examined eight categories of warm-climate energy-saving measures: cooling and heating equipment, hot water, insulation, ventilation and infiltration, lighting, solar load, window and door replacement, and appliances. The comprehensive chart (see below) cites the average first-year savings, installation cost, savings-to-investment ratio (SIR), and maintenance requirements for each measure. The study also examines how sensitive each measure is to customer interactions, customer education, climate, building characteristics, and number of occupants. Confidence level ratings in the report reflect the degree of certainty, quality, and variability of information used to determine the SIRs, as seen in the literature.

Measures that reduced hot water use got the highest SIR rankings, mainly because of their universal application in all climates and their relatively low cost. Hot water accounts for 20%Ð40% of the energy consumed by low-income homes in warm weather climates. Most of the 18 water heating measures that were examined are well established as techniques for reducing water-heating energy consumption. Installation of water tank insulation and flow restrictors in homes with electric water heaters saved the most money compared to the installation cost. Tank insulation can be installed for about $25, and it saved from $10 to $38 per year. Low-flow showerheads cost only $30 and saved $27 per year. Other high-SIR measures in the hot-water category included heat traps on electric hot water tanks, gas-fired water heater tank insulation, and temperature setbacks on electric water heaters. On electric tanks, heat traps saved $17 per year and cost about $30 to install. Insulating gas-fired tanks saved from $3 to $10 per year and cost about $25. Depending on the existing water heater temperature setting, reducing the setting cost virtually nothing yet saved from $10 to $17 for electric water heaters. The finding that water-heater efficiency improvements save the most money compared to installation costs supports what is commonly practiced in the field.

On the other end of the SIR rating scale, one of the lowest-ranking measures was forced attic ventilation using a solar powered fan. Savings were small ($2Ð$3 per year), while the measure cost $800 to implement. Other low-ranking measures included foundation insulation for slab-on-grade (a measure that is far more cost-effective in cold-climates), gas tankless water heaters, reflective roofing in already insulated attics, and refrigerator tune-up (unless performed by the homeowner). Several envelope measures ranked low, but they were examined for their effects on cooling only. They would be more effective in climates with significant heating requirements. These measures included adding wall insulation and increasing the attic insulation level from R-19 to R-30.

Russell Clark, who works in low-income weatherization with the Department of Commerce Energy Office in Arizona, says he will use the report's findings to compare costs of weatherization measures done in states where cooling measures are more important. Costs are an obviously sensitive parameter and can significantly change the SIR value, says Clark.

Review of Water, Lighting, and Cooling Energy Efficiency Measures for Low-Income Homes Located in Warm Climates is available to the public from the National Technical Information Service, U.S. Department of Commerce, 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield VA 22161.

-Deborah Rider Allen

Deborah Rider Allen is a freelance writer in Richmond, Virginia.

Publication of this article was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of State and Community Programs, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

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