Cape Fear
Green Building Alliance

Quick Facts

  • 40% of the cost to heat and cool buildings is wasted due to air leakage. Would you pay $100 for something that is only worth $60? Sealing ductwork and other areas where conditioned air escapes is one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce your energy consumption and power bills. 
  • Air infiltrates into and escapes out of your home through every hole and crack, including window frames, door frames, electric outlets and plumbing penetrations. They all add up to a big waste of energy and money. 
  • Leaks in your ductwork can draw unconditioned air into the system. This makes your heating and cooling equipment work harder and longer to maintain a comfortable temperature, raising your power bills unnecessarily. Seal the leaks - solve the problem. 
  • Water heating accounts for 18% of a home's energy use. With standard storage tank water heaters, 15% to 30% of that energy goes to keeping water hot while it’s not being used. Consider upgrading to a more efficient model. Tankless, solar and heat pump water heaters are other options. 
  • 80% of homes built before 1980 are not well insulated. Many older homes have very little insulation or none at all. Blown cellulose insulation tends to settle over time, leaving gaps for air to travel through. Ask a professional to check your home’s insulation. 
  • Adding insulation to your attic is one of the most cost-effective ways to increase your home’s comfort and energy efficiency.
  • Retrofits can reduce home energy consumption by 40%. Sealing the building envelope and ductwork, upgrading heating and cooling systems, improving insulation and updating appliances can significantly improve the performance of your home. 
  • Residential energy use causes 21% of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. - even more than cars! Reducing your home’s energy consumption helps the environment. 
  • Air penetrations can bring dust, mold and harmful gases into the home. Retrofits contribute to healthier indoor air quality. 
  • If the ductwork of your heating and air conditioning system leaks, heated or cooled air escapes before reaching your living space, wasting energy and money. On average, 15% of a home’s air leakage occurs in the ductwork. Sealing ductwork makes a big impact for a small investment.
  • 80% of existing homes could benefit from energy efficiency retrofits. Only 2% of existing homes have had an energy assessment performed to determine possible energy savings. An energy auditor can help you identify what your home needs and help you prioritize the recommended energy efficiency improvements. 
  • The typical U.S. family spends $2200 a year on home utility bills. Energy efficiency retrofits could reduce that by as much as $880. 
  • 45% of electricity in the U.S. is generated from burning coal, which releases harmful gases into the atmosphere. Reducing your energy consumption will help reduce carbon dioxide and other emissions that are damaging to the atmosphere. 

 
 
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CFGBA is the proud recipient of two prestigious grant awards from the NC Green Business Fund and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. This Web site was developed with grant funding. 
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©2012 Cape Fear Green Building Alliance




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