GOOD EARTHKEEPING, Nov. 11
By: Sandy Batty
There are many things a homeowner can do to reduce a household’s "pollution contribution" through the heating and shoveling season.
Insulation is essential for walls, floors and especially the attic. With insufficient insulation, you are heating the great outdoors and burning unnecessary fuel. If the walls are cold, or there’s a draft coming down the attic stairs, around windows or outlets, those are sure signs of wasted heat. For insulation guidelines and options, read the U.S. Department of Energy’s "Insulation Factsheet" at: www.ornl.gov/sci/roofs+walls/insulation/ins_08.html.
Single-pane windows are real energy losers. Energy Star-rated windows feature low-E coatings, gas fills, spacers and high-resistance frames. Replacement windows are expensive, but can save energy, improve comfort levels and add to a building’s resale value.
If you have an aging furnace, there couldn’t be a better time to invest in a new, high-efficiency one. Energy Star-rated furnaces (www.energystar.gov) are about 15 percent more efficient than standard models. Fifteen percent of an annual heating bill can be hundreds of dollars. As fuel prices increase, so does the payback on fuel-saving measures.
To reduce fuel consumption year-round, consider converting to a geoexchange system. Geothermal heat pumps use the constant temperature of the ground to help heat a building in winter and cool it in summer. Compared to conventional systems, geothermal yields 30 to 70 percent savings in the heating mode, and 20 to 50 percent in the cooling mode. Nearly one million geoexchange systems are in use currently in the United States.
If you aren’t in the market for a new system, make sure your existing furnace is running at its best by having regular maintenance and replacing air filters as directed. Seal and insulate ductwork that passes through unheated or uncooled areas. A programmable thermostat will save fuel by automatically turning down the heat at night or when the house is unoccupied.
Wood-burning stoves, though charming, are significant air polluters. Fortunately, catalytic combustors, similar to catalytic converters, are now available for wood stoves. Catalytic combustors decrease emissions and increase fuel efficiency by 25 to 30 percent. Consult www.eere.energy.gov/consumerinfo/factsheets/bb5.html or a wood stove dealer for more information on making a wood stove more environmentally friendly.
Another environmental consideration in winter is the use of ice-melting substances. The substances we spread on roads and sidewalks to make them less slippery quickly find their way into streams and groundwater. Whether it’s salt, calcium chloride, cinders or sand, there’s an environmental downside to each. You can reduce the need for deicing chemicals by fixing outdoor drainage problems before winter begins. For example, patch the gutter that drips onto the front steps, or redirect downspouts away from walkways. If you can’t achieve necessary safety levels by shoveling early and often, use de-icing products only as directed. More isn’t better. Whatever you do spread, remember to sweep it up once the surface is clear.
In every season, we should be on the lookout for things we can do in our daily lives to conserve resources and cut pollution. Every bit helps.
Editor’s Note: Sandy Batty is executive director of the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions, a nonprofit group that works with citizens and local officials to promote long-term natural resource protection and sustainable development.

