Swapping out old light bulbs save money.
CFL lighting is an easy and affordable way to lower energy costs.
Kiwash Electric is helping Bobby and LeeAnn Blackburn see their home in a new light. Kiwash replaced 35 traditional light bulbs in the Cordell couple's home with energy saving compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs, a move that should save them money on their monthly electric bill.
According to Energy Star, the average home uses around 30 light fixtures and CFLs can replace regular, incandescent bulbs in almost all of them. CFL's come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes including globe lamps for your bathroom vanity, chandelier bulbs, lamps for recessed downlights (commonly found in kitchens, hallways), and larger or more compact standard light bulbs.
While CFL bulbs cost more-prices range from $2 to $15 (for specialty bulbs) – they can save you about $30 or more per bulb in energy savings over their lifetime, more than offsetting their initial cost. CFL's need a little more energy when they are first turned on, but once the electricity starts moving, they use about 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs. Energy Stars recommends replacing light bulbs in the fixtures you use most with Energy Star qualified CFL's, whether indoor or outdoor.
As winners of the Kiwash Home Energy Makeover, the Blackburn's have received nearly $3,000 in home energy improvements courtesy of Kiwash Electric. Professional energy auditors recommended various upgrades based on a thorough evaluation of their home's energy use.
Improvements at the Blackburn home include adding insulation to their walls and attic, caulking around windows and doors, and laying a new threshold along the front door to block drafts.
Crossing a threshold to great savings.
Cold air has a way of creeping in under doors and around windows. When that happens your home heating system must work harder to keep your home and you more comfortable.
Stopping air leaks was an easy fix on the list of improvements for Bobby and LeeAnn Blackburn, winners of the Kiwash Electric Home Energy Makeover contest.
To block wintery drafts, local contractors from R&J Construction recently installed a new threshold along the base of the Blackburn's front door. Sealing air leaks is a win-win situation for the average homeowner because it's an easy, affordable upgrade that can lower monthly energy costs by as much as 20 percent. In addition, when air sealing materials are installed properly, they will continue to lower a home's energy costs for several years before the process must be repeated.
Since winning the Home Energy Makeover contest, the Blackburn's have installed additional insulation in their home and sealed air leaks around windows and doors. The next scheduled efficiency upgrade will focus on home lighting.
Cordell Home is ‘wrapped’ for holiday
More insulation means greater savings for Cordell couple
Christmas gifts aren’t the only things getting wrapped up for the holidays. The home of Cordell couple Bobby and LeeAnn Blackburn, winners of the Kiwash Electric’s Home Energy Makeover contest received a wrap of sorts when local contractors installed additional insulation in the Blackburn’s attic.
Adding insulation in the attic of their 1,753 square foot home is the first energy efficiency upgrade to take place at the Blackburn’s since they won the contest in August.
Prior to the upgrade, the Blackburn’s had from 3.5 to 4 inches of insulation in their attic. Insulation performance is measured by R-value-the insulation’s ability to resist heat flow. Higher R-values mean more insulating power.
With the recent improvement, the Blackburns now have 15 inches of insulation in their attic.
Energy Star recommends an R-value of 38, or 12 to 15 inches of insulation, for most attics. The Blackburn’s home now carries an R-value of 46. Adding insulation to walls, ceiling, windows, doors, and floors is often the most cost effective way to improve energy efficiency and comfort. ENERGY STAR estimates that a knowledgeable homeowner or skilled contractor can save up to 20 percent on heating and cooling costs, or up to 10 percent on their total annual energy bill by sealing and insulating.
While energy savings for the Blackburn’s may differ from these estimates, the extra blanket of insulation on their home is sure to improve its ability to maintain a comfortable temperature. The Blackburn home will receive more upgrades throughout the year, based on an evaluation by a professional energy auditor.
Cordell couple win Home Energy Makeover
Bobby and LeeAnn Blackburn will be making a few energy improvements to their home, thanks to Kiwash Electric Cooperative. The Cordell couple are the winners of the Kiwash Electric Home Energy Makeover Contest. They will receive up to $3,000 in energy-saving improvements designed specifically for their home.
Kiwash Electric sponsors the Home Energy Makeover to promote energy awareness and educate members about cost effective and affordable energy improvements. Eighty co-op members entered the contest.