1941 Cape Cod

The owners of this 1941 Cape Cod-style home knew there were many opportunities for energy efficiency improvement -- when they bought it, the house had no insulation, clearly-leaking heating ducts, huge openings around chimney and plumbing penetrations, all-incandescent lighting, and no attention to energy efficiency in appliance choices.  

The Emerson Environmental energy and water audit helped the family prioritize efficiency upgrades.  Utilizing results from the audit and Standby and Operational Loads Analysis, the family installed devices and implemented procedures that lowered their average electricity bill to $44.  Sealing of penetrations to the thermal barrier, replacement of leaking, uninsulated heating ducts, and installation of attic, wall, and water line insulation is expected to dramatically lower their heating costs this winter. 

Ready for Remodel

The environmentally-conscious owners of this home are in the early planning stages of a remodel.  Emerson Environmental performed an energy audit, replaced almost all of the home's incandescent bulbs with appropriate fluorescent bulbs, and provided suggestions for upgrades to be made immediately as well as ideas for incorporation of energy-efficiency upgrades in conjunction with the planned remodel.  The Ready-for-Remodel Homeowners appreciated being provided with suggestions of upgrades that can be made now, before the anticipated remodel.   They commented that the energy audit was "a lot more extensive than [we] realized -- and thorough.   Working with Suzanne was a pleasure as she provided valuable insights into what steps we can take."

As a home that already utilizes photovoltaic panels to generate electricity, steps taken to reduce this home's electricity load -- including replacement of incandescent bulbs with fluorescents and utilization of switches to reduce computer peripheral passive loads -- will reduce the amount of extra electricity that needs to be purchased from the utility company, increasing the percentage of the home's power supplied by its own generating system.

Palo Alto Weekly photos by Susan Bradley

Palo Alto mayor gets 'carbon footprint' test
Expert analysis of Mayor Larry Klein's home shows it has numerous 'energy leaks' -- he vows to reduce his footprint 10 percent

Mayor Larry Klein of Palo Alto had his house checked for energy efficiency to determine his "carbon footprint" Wednesday.

It leaks energy, consultant Suzanne Emerson of San Carlos-based Emerson Environmental concluded in a four-hour examination of about everything energy-related that goes into a house.

Klein and other city leaders have vowed to reduce their "carbon footprints" by 10 percent, and the check of his house will establish a baseline.

One of the bigger tests involved sealing a door between house and the garage and creating a "blower door" with a large fan sucking air out of the house.

Emerson then felt for leaks around switches, plugs, windows, doors and joints, either by hand or using a smoke-producing stick device.

Emerson, who has a law degree, left an environmental law practice in a large firm after 13 years to found Emerson Environmental -- after she struggled to make her 65-year-old home more energy efficient.

Other elements of her "greening" a home inspection include checking types of lighting and even which fluorescent bulbs are best; recommending insulation types; looking for "passive" drains on energy from certain types of dimmer switches and other sources; and other items.

Klein appeared pleased with the process. One way of looking at the inspection would be that the more energy leaks are found the easier it will be to get to a 10 percent reduction.

-- Palo Alto Weekly staff

(reprinted from Palo Alto Online, http://www.paloaltoonline.com/news/show_story.php?id=7630)