THE GREENING OF THE WHITE HOUSE
THE GREENING OF THE WHITE HOUSE
A new report released today shows that energy-saving measures and othersteps taken as part of the Greening of the White House have savedtaxpayers nearly $1.4 million since 1993 and reduced greenhouse gasemissions by 845 tons a year -- the equivalent of taking more than 600cars off the road. To help American consumers achieve similar savingsand environmental benefits, major retailers and manufacturers todayjoined the Clinton Administration in announcing new incentives for thepurchase of energy-efficient appliances, light bulbs and other products.
Real Actions, Real Savings.
On Earth Day 1993, President Clintonannounced the Greening of the White House, a new initiative to improvethe energy and environmental performance of the White House complex.Today's report details energy efficiency and conservation measures takenthroughout the complex, including the East and West Wings and the OldExecutive Office Building. The report summarizes the resultingenvironmental benefits -- including a significant reduction in thegreenhouse gases emitted when fossil fuels are burned to create energy-- and identifies cost savings of $300,000 a year, including:
- $138,000 from more efficient lighting;
- $37,000 from new heating system and window air conditionerupgrades; and,
- $15,000 from new sprinklers and timers. The report alsorecommends additional steps and outlines plans to expand the Greeningeffort to the White House offices in townhouses on Jackson Place.
Entire Federal Government Leading By Example. The Greening initiativeis part of a broader effort by the President to improve the energyperformance of the federal government. In June of this year, thePresident signed Executive Order 13123 directing all federal agencies toachieve by 2010:
- 35 percent greater energy efficiency in buildings relative to1985 levels; and,
- 30 percent cut in greenhouse gas emissions from building-relatedenergy use relative to 1990.By 2010, the resulting energy savings will reduce annual greenhouse gasemissions by 2.4 million tons -- the equivalent of taking 1.7 millioncars off the road -- and save taxpayers over $750 million a year.
Off-the-Shelf Products Available to All Americans. All of the energyefficiency and other Greening improvements to the White House employ"off-the-shelf" materials and technologies that are available to allAmericans for use in their homes and workplaces. As President Clintonsaid in 1993, "I want to make the White House a model for other Federalagencies, for State and local governments, for business, and forfamilies in their own homes. Before I ask you to do the best you can inyour house, I ought to make sure I'm doing the best I can in my house."
Energy Star(R) Products Promotions. As part of today's release of theGreening of the White House report, six major Americans companies --Best Buy, Home Depot, Maytag, Philips Lighting Company North America,Sears, and Whirlpool -- are announcing a series of consumer incentivesto help promote the use of energy efficient products by Americans intheir own homes. All of these companies are partners in Energy StarProducts, a Federal-private sector partnership to design and promoteappliances and other items that use cutting-edge energy efficienttechnologies to save consumers money and help protect the environment.
FROM THE WHITE HOUSE TO YOUR HOUSE: COMPANIES ANNOUNCE ENERGY EFFICIENT PRODUCT PROMOTIONS
As part the release of the Greening of the White House Report, a numberof leading American companies are announcing a series of consumerincentives to help promote the use of energy efficient products byAmericans in their own homes. Right now over 1,200 manufacturers andsome 4,000 retail showrooms offer highly energy efficient Energy Starproducts. By using Energy Star products and taking other simple,common-sense steps, Americans can realize significant savings, cut airpollution, and make a meaningful contribution to cutting emissions ofthe greenhouse gases believed responsible for global warming.
The typical U.S. family spends close to $1,300 a year on its homeutility bill. Unfortunately, a large portion of that energy is wasted.In fact, in the aggregate, U.S. homes waste as much energy as we getfrom the Alaskan oil pipeline each year. And the electricity generatedby fossil fuels for a single home puts more carbon dioxide into the airthan two average cars. Using energy efficient appliances and othercommon-sense conservation measures can significantly reduce home energycosts and help the environment.
Energy Star(R) Products Promotions. Six major Americans companies -- Best Buy, Home Depot, Maytag, Philips Lighting Company North America, Sears, and Whirlpool -- are announcing a series of consumer incentives to help promote the use of energy efficient products by Americans in their own homes. All of these companies are partners in Energy Star Products, a Federal-private sector partnership to design and promote appliances and other items that use cutting-edge energy efficient technologies to save consumers money and help protect the environment.
- Best Buy will offer free delivery and new financing incentives onEnergy Star appliances (clothes washers, dishwashers, refrigerators) forthe month of December 1999.
- Home Depot will begin a national roll-out of a new Energy StarWindows Program, with advertising displays and labels that helpconsumers choose among energy efficient windows.
- Maytag will reduce price on an Energy Star clothes washer by $100starting in early 2000. It will also launch a public education campaignabout the benefits of the efficient washers in selected U.S. areas whereenergy and water are particularly scarce.
- Philips Lighting Company North America will offer Energy Starcompact fluorescent light bulbs at Home Depot for less than $10.
- Sears will feature new lines of Energy Star heating & coolingunits/systems and a new Energy Star advertising campaign. Sears willalso continue to offer free financing on Energy Star appliances andheating & cooling systems, as well as free delivery on all Energy Starappliances.
- Whirlpool will feature a new SERP (the U.S. Department of EnergySuper-Efficient Refrigerator Program) refrigerator that is 35 percentmore efficient than the current U.S. standard for refrigerators. Theproduct will be available to consumers in the 2nd quarter of 2000.
Tips on Saving Energy & Money at Home
By employing a few inexpensive energy efficient measures, homeowners canreduce their energy bills by 10 percent to 50 percent, and at the sametime, reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
- Home Energy Audits, performed either by homeowners orprofessionals, show where energy is being wasted and suggest strategiesfor reducing energy costs. For more information on audits, homeownerscan contact their utility company or the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).
- Lighting efficiency improvements are one of fastest ways to cutenergy bills. Replacing 25 percent of a home's lights in high-useareas with fluorescents can save about 50 percent on a home's lightingenergy bill. Compact fluorescent light bulbs are more expensiveinitially but reduce energy use in light fixtures by up to 70 percentand pay for themselves within three years. Also remember to turn offlights when not in use and consider installing timers, photo cells, oroccupancy sensors.
- Insulation & Weatherization can increase home comfort and reduceheating and cooling needs by 30 percent for an investment of just a fewhundred dollars.
- Heating & Cooling account for 44 percent of a typical home'sutility bill. Proper equipment maintenance and upgrades can result indramatic savings. Energy-saving steps include:
- Setting thermostats as low as is comfortable in winter; ashigh as is comfortable in summer.
- Cleaning or replacing filters on furnaces once a month or asneeded.
- Cleaning warm-air registers, baseboard heaters, and radiatorsas needed and making sure they are not blocked by furniture, carpeting,or drapes.
- Bleeding trapped air from hot-water radiators once or twice aseason.
- Water Heating accounts for about 14 percent of a home's utilitybill. Homeowners can cut water heating bills by: using less hot water,turning down the thermostat on water heaters; insulating the waterheater; or buying a new, more efficient model.
- Appliances account for about 20 percent of a home's energyconsumption. When shopping for appliances homeowners should look forEnergy Star appliances and keep in mind that their lower operating costsusually more than make up for their higher upfront costs.
- Landscaping can add aesthetic value and environmental quality to ahome. Just three well-placed trees can provide enough shade andprotection from wind to save an average household between $100 and $250in annual heating and cooling costs.
- Windows account for 10 percent to 25 percent of a home's heatingbill. New windows are long-term investments that have a large impact ona home's energy system. Simpler, less costly measures includeinstalling storm windows, repairing and weatherizing existing stormwindows, and installing white window shades and/or awnings on south- andwest-facing windows.
For more information on saving energy and money at home, visit DOE's website at www.eren.doe.gov/consumerinfo/energy_savers
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