From light bulbs and insulation to electrical appliances ...

By Erin Nicholes of The Montana Standard - 08/24/2006

Steve Titus, of Bozeman, models his Solar Bug energy efficient vehicle Thursday at NCAT’s SustainabilityFEST in Butte. The electric car travels at a cost of one cent per mile. Lisa Kunkel / The Montana Standard

Pete and Nancy Norbeck of Butte are ever on the lookout for ways to make their 1915 West Side home more energy efficient.

The couple found a gold mine of information at Thursday’s SustainabilityFEST at the National Center for Appropriate Technology.

“It’s fabulous,” Nancy Norbeck said following a lecture on energy efficient homes. “I hope they do it again next year.” NCAT’s 30th anniversary event drew hundreds of people throughout the day who attended workshops and browsed vendors — who sold everything from emu-oil lotions to solar-electric vehicles.

A workshop offering tips on building energy efficient homes — and adding elements to existing homes — was well-attended.

“If you’ve got an old house, it’s really difficult to bring those energy costs into focus,” said Dale Horton, NCAT sustainable energy program manager.

But, consumers have more options than ever before when it comes to energy efficient technology. A basic money-saving tip: Look for the Energy Star label on everything from windows to DVD players, Horton said.

“If you purchase an (Energy Star) product, you know it’s going to be energy efficient,” he said.

Energy Star is a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency program guaranteeing products will reduce energy use 15 to 20 percent over regular products.

Also, make sure your attic is well-insulated.

“If you have less than 4 to 6 inches of insulation in an attic space, you should probably get more installed,” he said.

And buy money-saving light bulbs, such as compact fluorescents — the spiral kind — and programmable thermostats. Energy Star thermostats can shave 20 to 30 percent off a heating bill.

“They are the single most important thing to control heating costs,” he said.

People building new homes have the most options for energy efficiency, as new construction trends and products aim to slash energy consumption.

The most important elements are those that keep warm air in, and cold air out.

“You build the house air tight, and then provide mechanical ventilation,” Horton said.

Energy Star windows, foam insulation and solar panels are becoming more common elements in home construction, including in manufactured homes, he said.

“You can buy a good manufactured home that meets all the energy efficiency standards,” he said.

And incentives are available for people who incorporate sustainability into home design. NorthWestern Energy offers incentives, and the state of Montana provides a tax credit for homeowners.

Erin Nicholes may be reached at erin.nicholes@lycos.com