Green Tip: Home Upgrades

Posted by Lyndsey P. Bakos-Schneider

Which Green Upgrades Are Worth the Extra Expense?

A side-by-side comparison of five simple home upgrades, from up-front investment to lifetime savings.

Assumptions:

1. CFL bulb calculations assume: a CFL bulb cost of $2 vs. $1 for an incandescent bulb; the bulb is on an average of 8 hours per day; an electrical cost of 10 cents/kWh (kilowatt hour); the CFL bulb will last 8 times as long as an incandescent. Note: To Calculate your potential electrical savings, multiply 770 x your local electrical rate per kilowatt hour.
2. Power strip calculations assume: the power strip is turned off 16 hours/day; the devices plugged into the power strip consume a combined total of 17 watts/hour while off; the electricity costs 10 cents per kilowatt hour and the device has a lifetime of 10 years. Actual savings will vary depending on the phantom loads of the various devices plugged into the power strip.
3. Washing machine calculations assume: buyer is purchasing a top-tier WashWise front-loading washer ($650 for a 3.5 cubic foot Frigidaire GLTF2940FS vs. a standard 3.5 cubic foot top-loading washer costing $400); the appliance will last 11 years. Savings data was calculated by Seattle Public Utilities, and includes money saved on water, electricity and dryer time, and assumes 7 loads of laundry per week washed in warm water. Note: The WashWise designation is broken down into three tiers based on water and energy efficiency; choosing a “top-tier” model like the Frigidaire GLTF2940FS will generally result in the highest annual savings.
4. Low-flow showerhead calculations assume: buyer is purchasing a Deluxe Chrome Aerating Showerhead; a household of 4, with each person showering 7-8 minutes daily using a 3.5 gallon/minute showerhead. Note: Data from a study by Seattle Public Utilities.
5. Programmable thermostat calculations assume: the thermostat is used year-round with central heating and central air-conditioning systems.