Top 5 Wisconsin Energy Myths

Compiled by Jonathan Beers
Madison Gas & Electric

• Myth 1: Leave the thermostat at one temperature. It costs as much or more to catch up if you turn the heat down when sleeping or gone.
• Myth 2: Keeping fluorescent lights or computers on is cheaper than turning them off. There’s a big surge when you turn them on.
• Myth 3: Replacing windows reduces heating bills a lot, and is cost-effective.
• Myth 4: Caulking and weather stripping saves a lot of energy.
• Myth 5: Using an electric space heater saves money.

This was part of a broader presentation at the recent Madison Area Builder’s Association Home Products Show where he stated. (reported in the Wisconsin State Journal)

“Replacing windows is way down on the list of cost-effective measures if your goal is to reduce your energy bill,” said Jonathan Beers, residential services manager with Madison Gas and Electric. “There are good reasons to replace windows, but you should beware of phrases that promise energy savings that can be up to a certain percent.”

“…keep in mind that replacing windows is expensive, costing upward of $10,000 for a 20-window replacement, and it probably won’t save you all that much in energy costs. Beers noted that installing those 20 windows that qualify under the Energy Star rating system saves between $40 and $160 in a heating season.”

Sloppy math puts the break-even on this investment over six decades away. Longer than the manufacturers warranty times 3 at minimum.

Stated another way, the windows will likely need to be replaced again before they’ve paid for themselves.

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How Not to Save Energy

Mythbusters: Home Energy-Efficiency Measures That Don’t Save Much Energy

Article by Michael Blasnik in Green Building Advisor

Window replacement. I find this statistic very interesting because I have been a proponent of historic window preservation for years. Replacing windows can save 2 to 3 therms ($2 to $3) per year per window, resulting in a payback period of over 100 years. Like all of these caveats, the existing conditions of homes should be scrutinized. Jalousie windows or superleaky units without storms could see better savings, but adding storm windows is more cost effective with higher savings potential. In the case of cooling, it’s more cost effective to try shading windows with landscaping, solar screens, or window film.

Both these gentleman are experts within the field of what actually constitutes home energy efficiencies without a profit motive to sell you stuff.

If improving energy efficiency and making home improvements that truly most impact heating expense it is recommended that home owners try a home energy audit. It will uncover where the real energy/heat losses are. You might be surprised.

• Blower-Door Home Energy Audits
• Home weatherization products that address the real energy loss issues