Madison Gas & Electric
your community energy company
MONTHLY COLUMN
your community energy company
MONTHLY COLUMN
| CALL: 252-7117 |
Energy-saving Checklist: A Guide for homeowners
As an individual, your efficient use of energy brings benefits such as lower bills, improved
comfort levels in your home and a reduced personal impact on the environment.
Acting together,our individual choices add up -- for the benefit of our community, our environment
and our energy future.
For more information or advice,visit mge.com or call us at 252-7117.
******************
Standards for your home
Insulation Insulate to this minimum level**
Attic * R-38
Basement walls (w /living space) * R-10 interior or R-5 exterior
Crawl space
--Foundation * R-10 rigid foam on walls
--Floor * Moisture barrier
Knee walls * R-11
Sidewall cavities * R-11
Sill box * R-19
Entry doors * Insulated or use storm door
** Levels shown are for existing homes. Building a new home? MGE customers should ask for
our New Home Planner or view it online at mge.com.
Quick Tip: Before insulating, consider testing for all leaks. Blower door testing locates hidden
leaks and potential backdrafting problems.
Drafts and Air Leaks Take these steps
Seal air leaks * Blower door test performed by specially trained
technician to identify air leaks
* Seal around penetrations into attic: access,
chimney, pipes, electrical conduits, etc.
Reduce drafts inside * Seal around top of basement wall (sill plate)
where concrete meets wood
* Seal around interior trim and other detected air
leaks
Quick Tip: Formore detailed insulation recommendations, please see MGE's New Home
Planner at www.mge.com/brochures.
NOTE:
ENERGY STAR labeled products use less energy than other products. They reduce your energy
costs and help to protect the environment. We're an ENERGY STAR partner. Learn more about
qualifying products at energystar.gov or call MGE at 252-7117.
Quick Tips: Use a high capacity ENERGY STAR dehumidifier (such as the Santa Fe) model to
remove as much water as two standard units for half the operating cost.
Install a programmable setback thermostat and save up to $120 in annual energy costs.
OTHER WAYS TO SAVE ENERGY AND MONEY
APPLIANCES LOOK FOR
Dryer * Natural gas instead of electric
* Moisture sensor
Range * Self-cleaning
COOLING LOOK FOR
Fans * Whole house fan (a low-cost alternative to
air-conditioning)
HEATING LOOK FOR
Furnace ducts * Sealed seams; In unheated areas,
R-11 insulated ducts
Controls for hot water boilers * Indoor/outdoor temperature reset (for
systems with more than one zone)
Insulation for steam pipes * High-temperature insulation
LIGHTING LOOK FOR
Inside * ENERGY STAR compact fluorescent bulbs
* ENERGY STAR compact fluorescent
fixtures
* Low-voltage halogens for task lighting
* Replace halogen torchieres with ENERGY
STAR torchieres
* Airtight, insulation contact rated, recessed
fixtures
Outside * ENERGY STAR compact fluorescent
bulbs and fixtures rated for cold temperature
* High-pressure sodium fixtures
* Photo-eye controls (dusk to dawn)
* Low-voltage systems
* Motion sensors for incandescent bulbs
WATER HEATING LOOK FOR
Natural gas (chimney vent and side vent) * Natural gas instead of electric
30-50 gallons * .62 minimum energy factor
* Heat traps on inlet and outlet pipes
Natural gas (on demand) * .80 minimum energy factor
Electric (standard) all sizes * .93 minimum energy factor
* Heat traps on inlet and outlet pipes
Electric (heat pumps) all sizes * 2.0 minimum energy factor
* Heat traps on inlet and outlet pipes
Solar * Freeze protection
Pipe insulation * R-2 on at least first 5 ft. of pipe from water
heater
Low-flow faucet aerator * 1.5 gallons or less per minute
Water-saving showerhead * 2.5 gallons or less per minute
Quick Tip: Wash clothes in cold water and save about $50 a year.
As an individual, your efficient use of energy brings benefits such as lower bills, improved
comfort levels in your home and a reduced personal impact on the environment.
Acting together,our individual choices add up -- for the benefit of our community, our environment
and our energy future.
For more information or advice,visit mge.com or call us at 252-7117.
******************
Standards for your home
Insulation Insulate to this minimum level**
Attic * R-38
Basement walls (w /living space) * R-10 interior or R-5 exterior
Crawl space
--Foundation * R-10 rigid foam on walls
--Floor * Moisture barrier
Knee walls * R-11
Sidewall cavities * R-11
Sill box * R-19
Entry doors * Insulated or use storm door
** Levels shown are for existing homes. Building a new home? MGE customers should ask for
our New Home Planner or view it online at mge.com.
Quick Tip: Before insulating, consider testing for all leaks. Blower door testing locates hidden
leaks and potential backdrafting problems.
Drafts and Air Leaks Take these steps
Seal air leaks * Blower door test performed by specially trained
technician to identify air leaks
* Seal around penetrations into attic: access,
chimney, pipes, electrical conduits, etc.
Reduce drafts inside * Seal around top of basement wall (sill plate)
where concrete meets wood
* Seal around interior trim and other detected air
leaks
Quick Tip: Formore detailed insulation recommendations, please see MGE's New Home
Planner at www.mge.com/brochures.
NOTE:
ENERGY STAR labeled products use less energy than other products. They reduce your energy
costs and help to protect the environment. We're an ENERGY STAR partner. Learn more about
qualifying products at energystar.gov or call MGE at 252-7117.
Quick Tips: Use a high capacity ENERGY STAR dehumidifier (such as the Santa Fe) model to
remove as much water as two standard units for half the operating cost.
Install a programmable setback thermostat and save up to $120 in annual energy costs.
OTHER WAYS TO SAVE ENERGY AND MONEY
APPLIANCES LOOK FOR
Dryer * Natural gas instead of electric
* Moisture sensor
Range * Self-cleaning
COOLING LOOK FOR
Fans * Whole house fan (a low-cost alternative to
air-conditioning)
HEATING LOOK FOR
Furnace ducts * Sealed seams; In unheated areas,
R-11 insulated ducts
Controls for hot water boilers * Indoor/outdoor temperature reset (for
systems with more than one zone)
Insulation for steam pipes * High-temperature insulation
LIGHTING LOOK FOR
Inside * ENERGY STAR compact fluorescent bulbs
* ENERGY STAR compact fluorescent
fixtures
* Low-voltage halogens for task lighting
* Replace halogen torchieres with ENERGY
STAR torchieres
* Airtight, insulation contact rated, recessed
fixtures
Outside * ENERGY STAR compact fluorescent
bulbs and fixtures rated for cold temperature
* High-pressure sodium fixtures
* Photo-eye controls (dusk to dawn)
* Low-voltage systems
* Motion sensors for incandescent bulbs
WATER HEATING LOOK FOR
Natural gas (chimney vent and side vent) * Natural gas instead of electric
30-50 gallons * .62 minimum energy factor
* Heat traps on inlet and outlet pipes
Natural gas (on demand) * .80 minimum energy factor
Electric (standard) all sizes * .93 minimum energy factor
* Heat traps on inlet and outlet pipes
Electric (heat pumps) all sizes * 2.0 minimum energy factor
* Heat traps on inlet and outlet pipes
Solar * Freeze protection
Pipe insulation * R-2 on at least first 5 ft. of pipe from water
heater
Low-flow faucet aerator * 1.5 gallons or less per minute
Water-saving showerhead * 2.5 gallons or less per minute
Quick Tip: Wash clothes in cold water and save about $50 a year.