| Research, Results, & Resources: Technical Resources Energy Efficiency In Remodeling: Appliances & Lighting APPLIANCES General This fact sheet is one in a series intended to inform homeowners about the opportunities, options, and benefits associated with making energy efficiency improvements during home remodeling projects. Opportunities Appliances and lighting can account for 20 to 40 percent of home energy use. After heating, cooling, and hot water heating equipment, refrigerators are among the largest energy consumers in the home, accounting for approximately 5 percent of the total energy consumption in U.S. households. Dishwashers can also consume a great deal of energy, mostly for heating the water. Benefits Reduced utility bills and water savings will result from the use of more efficient appliances.
Installation Issues If possible, keep the refrigerator away from the stove, oven, dishwasher, and direct sunlight. These heat sources will cause it to run more. Related Issues Selecting Appliances - Look for the yellow EnergyGuide labels on refrigerators, freezers, and dishwashers (also on water heaters, heat pumps, furnaces, boilers, washing machines, and air conditioners). For otherwise similar models, this label shows the range of available efficiencies and the estimated annual cost and/or energy use for that particular model. The prominent cost information is based on the national average price of electricity (around $0.08/kWh). All else equal, smaller refrigerators use less energy than larger ones. Side-by-side models are less efficient than top/bottom models. For dishwashers, look for models with an air-dry option and short- or light-wash functions. Check the information on water consumption -- this is hot water which accounts for approximately 80 percent of the energy used by dishwashers. Also look for models with a water temperature booster. This feature allows you to set the water heater temperature lower. For ovens, consider microwaves and convection ovens. Convection ovens result in faster cooking times and are known for their good baking qualities. Other - Don't continue to use an old, inefficient fridge. If you need more refrigerator storage space, it will be cheaper to buy a larger, more efficient model and discard the old one. MATERIAL/EQUIPMENT OPTIONS Refrigerators For refrigerators in the 20-22 cubic foot range (including freezer), currently available models have energy use in the 558 to 1011 kWh per year range. Using a cost of $0.08 per kWh, the annual cost of operation would range from about $45 to $81. Dishwashers The annual energy use for different models can range from 460 to 633 kWh per year. This translates into annual costs of about $37 to $51. REMODELING SCENARIOS With any kitchen remodel you should consider buying the most efficient appliances. SAVINGS Replacing a 15-year-old refrigerator of average efficiency for that time with a new model that is among the most efficient would result in a yearly savings of approximately $90. For 1996 side-by-side refrigerators with total volumes in the range of 20.5 - 22.4 cubic feet, the most efficient units would cost approximately $36 less per year to operate than the least efficient models. REFRIGERATORS COST OF OPERATION & SAVINGS | | YEAR | 1980 (avg.) | 1983 (avg.) | 1985 (avg.) | 1995 (avg.) | 1996 (best) | | YEARLY COST | $135 | $118 | $77 | $56 | $45 | SAVINGS: compared to 1996 BEST | $90 | $73 | $32 | $11 | n/a |
OTHER SOURCES OF INFO The ACEEE and AHAM provide information on the efficiency of various appliances. See the Resources fact sheet for more information about these organizations and appliance efficiency.
LIGHTING Opportunities Lighting accounts for 5-10 percent of total energy use in U.S. homes, costing $50-150 directly per year. While this amount is relatively small, lighting choices can also affect the amount of energy used to heat and cool the home. Ninety percent of the energy used for incandescent lights (the type normally used in homes) is converted to heat, adding to the air conditioning load. Recessed lights, if not the air-tight type (most are not), can increase heating and cooling costs due to increased air leakage. Benefits More efficient lighting can also mean better lighting, as when daylighting and task lighting is specifically considered as part of the design for a remodeling project. Air-tight fixtures can reduce air leakage and reduce moisture problems associated with this air leakage. Using florescent lights instead of regular incandescent lights will reduce internal heat gains, lessening the amount of work your air conditioner needs to do in order to cool the house. Factors to Consider Task lighting, designed to provide good light to a small area, is worth considering. This strategy provides better lighting for the tasks at hand and avoids high-intensity lighting of an entire space. Consider this option in work and reading areas and kitchens. To the degree possible, also design for maximum natural lighting, while giving proper consideration to heat loss or gain that might result from using windows or skylights. Related Issues Air leakage through light fixtures can be significant. Recessed lights are the worst offenders. MATERIAL/EQUIPMENT OPTIONS Compact Florescent Lights - Remodeling is not required
Florescent Fixtures - Consider installing to replace typical incandescent floor lamps or fixtures
- Today's florescent lights do not have the drawbacks commonly associated with the florescent lights of just a few years ago
- New electronic ballasts eliminate flicker and hum
- New electronic ballasts use up to 35% less energy than the old magnetic ballasts
- Improved tubes produce light qualities very similar to that of incandescent lights
- Look for bulbs with high color rendition index (CRI) and efficiency ("efficacy")
- Incandescent lights have a CRI of 100. Newer florescent bulbs are available with CRIs of 95
- Special electronic dimming ballasts are available
Light Tubes - New product worth considering for some applications
- Essentially a cross between a skylight and a recessed light
- Provides natural light without the large energy penalty typical of skylights
Recessed Lights - Avoid where possible unless of the air-tight variety, especially at the top floor
- Those installed at the top floor should definitely be IC (insulation contact) type
- These fixtures allow insulation to be placed directly over them
- Non-IC types do not allow insulation to cover the fixture or come within three inches the sides of the lamp housing
REMODELING SCENARIOS Install separately switched task lighting for areas such as countertops and sinks. Minimize use of recessed lights, or use airtight variety. Consider light tubes as an alternative to conventional skylights. Consider the installation of fluorescent fixtures in kitchens, baths, laundry rooms, etc. OTHER SOURCES OF INFO This fact sheet was prepared by NAHB Research Center, 400 Prince George's Boulevard, Upper Marlboro, MD 20774, (800) 638-8556, with support from the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Version 1.1 11/96 | 
