an infographic, "Energy Efficiency: Where to Start?"

ENERGY EFFICIENCY: WHERE TO START?
PHASE 1:
Change your habits, too
Low cost, high reward
Changing energy use practices, such as turning off
more lights or using power strips to limit appliace use
can bring down electric costs without spending money.
ASSESMENT
& AIR SEALING
An energy assessment identifies the
sources of heat loss; basic air sealing
takes care of the biggest ones. Get a contractor to work
on multiple homes in a week-- you could negotiate a
discount and save ferry tickets if on an island.
$$
Costs about $200 after rebate in Maine.
Three to four hours for one house.
Save $200 - $400 per year. Less
than one year payback time.
INTERIOR STORM
WINDOWS
Interior storm windors are a simple
and cost effective DIY project. Buy
materials in bulk and host a
community build day.
$
Measure windows and purchase supplies,
then build about 20-30 windows in a
four-hour workshop with 6-8 volunteers.
Save a gallon of oil per square foot, per year
($20-$40). Less than a year payback time.
LED BULBS
LEDs are great wherever you live, but
even more effective where there are high
electric rates. Buying for a big group?
Negotiate a lower price.
$
About $25 for a 3x5 foot window.
Involve the whole community
$1 - $3 per bulb in Maine.
Any of these projects can be done in a single home,
but they’re more cost effective and inclusive when the
whole community is invited to participate.
Unscrew, re-screw. A minute or less!
Depending on electric rates and use, save
$5 - $30 per year. A few months payback time.
• Hold a Weatherization Week and air seal 8-10 homes
• Order LEDs for a group and negotiate a bulk discount
• Ask contractors to reduce prices for multiple heat pumps
Learn about these community-scale projects at
ISLANDINSTITUTE.ORG/WHATWORKS
PHASE 2:
Bigger investment, greater savings
MORE INSULATION
& AIR SEALING
HEATING SYSTEM
UPGRADE
If just basic work was completed at first,
basement, attic, or wall insulation and
further air sealing is a good next step.
Ductless mini-split heat pumps or
other efficient heating sources are
most effective in a well-insulated home.
$$$
$1,500 - $8,000 after rebate in Maine
$$$
$3,000 - $10,000 after rebate in Maine.
A full day or more.
Three to five hours for installation.
Savings depend on how much work is
done. Likely five to 10 years payback time.
Save $500 - $600 per year. Four
to five years packback time.
Questions? Want to launch a project? Contact
Brooks Winner, bwinner@islandinstitute.org
Graphics: Jean Yashu, Eli Revzin, Adirano Emerick,
McKinzie Madsen, Icons8 from the Noun Project