The Gotham City Inspector©
Newsletter: Fall 2007, Vol.4, No.3

Public Service Announcement
NYC Department of Buildings New Energy Code!!

To help create a more energy efficient city, the New York City Department of Buildings recently enacted new requirements to comply with the state energy code. Beginning in September, new building applications and alterations for many buildings were to start showing their compliance with the Energy Construction Code of New York State. For more details on the new requirements, go to

---

Shop and Save…the Planet!

Climate Cooler is a new online store that lets you counterbalance the environmental impact of everyday purchases like jewelry, flowers, furniture and DVD's. Go to www.climatecooler.com where you can purchase items from dozens of popular national retailers. The website then calculates how many pounds of greenhouse gases were used to make, ship and sell your product, and the store pays a fee to Climate Cooler to “eliminate” the pollution caused by your purchase. Just in time for holiday shopping!

Weatherstrips for Winter

America Go Forth & Save Energy & Money!

Windows can be cold air culprits when the temperature goes down, so now is a good time to make sure your windows keep that toasty air inside. An easy and cheap way is to seal them with weather-stripping. Measure your windows and buy the appropriate amount of weather-stripping. Remember to install it along the sashes and the sashframe tops and bottoms. Carefully follow the manufacturer's instructions to get the most effective insulation bang for your buck, and recheck your weather-stripping every year as it does wear out over time. Paired it with caulking, and you’ll save a bundle on energy this winter!

What is Your E.Q.?

From Energy Saving Guide For Home Owners

by Alvin Ubell & George Merlis

No, not your I.Q…your E.Q.! That stands for Energy Quotient. Are you energy-wise or energy-foolish? Are you saving money - and the planet - or are you flushing both of them down the drain? Here's a way to grade yourself. Take this test, add up your score and see how energy efficient you are. Most of us won't score anywhere near the maximum 896 points, but along the way, you may get some ideas for what you can do around the house to up your E.Q.

Free! Download:
The Energy Quotient (41KB)

Heating In Winter

Points	Daytime Thermostat (Fahrenheit)
0	74°
3	73°
6	72°
9	71°
12	70°
15	69°
18	68°
21	67°
24	66°
27	65°
30	64°

Points	Nighttime Thermostat (Fahrenheit)
30	60°
27	61°
24	62°
21	63°
18	64°
15	65°

Water Heater Temp. Settings

Points	Water Heater Temp. (Fahrenheit)
12	110°
9	120°
6	130°
3	140°
0	150°
-3	160°
-6	170°
-9	180°
5	You drain sediment from water heater monthly
44	You have a solar water heater

Air-Conditioner & Ventilation

Points	Summer Thermostat (Fahrenheit)
0	74°
3	75°
6	76°
9	77°
15	78°
15	79°
18	80°

Personal Winter Habits

Points	Personal Winter Habits
6	Use an electric blanket to lower the thermostat
9	Wear two sweater indoors to lower the heat
30	Installed automatic flue damper on heat system
15	Got your heating system serviced in last 6 months
3	Change your heat system filters monthly
4	Have heating ducts without leaks or taped leaks
9	Have working draft adjuster in oil or gas burner
9	Have clear, blue flame on gas burner
10	Have electronic ignition system on gas burner
30	Have new oil burner with retention head
9	Use a humidifier during winter
27	Have radiators or air ducts free of obstructions
25	Close off rooms not in use
25	Keep your fireplace dampers shut
10	Open and close draps to trap sun
15	Have water heater with insulated jacket

Personal Summer Habits

Points	Personal Summer Habits
20	Have no air-conditioning
5	Use natural ventilation and wear light clothes
5	Close drapes on hot sunny days
5	On hottest days, half open windows - top and bottom
10	Have Energy Star rated air-conditioners
5	Have shaded air-conditioners on north side of house
15	Have an attic ventilation fan

Home Appliance Habits

Points	Home Appliance Habits
15	Have fluorscent bulbs in kitchen
8	Put closet lights on auto-switch or timers
15	Habitually turn off lights when leaving room
5	Have energy savings dimmer switches
10	Have motion dectector light switches
-5 per set	Have an instant on TV set
15	Turn off TV, stero and computer when not in use
-30	Fall asleep with TV on
5	Have refridgerator in a cool spot
9	Have a refrigerator using under 800 K/hr per year
5	Defrost freezer regularly
5	Regularly clean coils on the refrigerator
9	Ensure refrigerator door fits tightly
6	Air-dry dishes rather than use dishwasher drying
6	Have a flow restrictor in kitchen faucet
29	Have gas range with electronic ignition, not pilot
9	Wash laundry with cold water
9	Use clothesline instead of dryer
9	Turn off iron when not using it
-18	Forget to turn off the iron
15	Shower rather than take bath
6	Have shower with a flow restrictor
15	Fix leaky faucets promptly

Extra Home Energy Improvements

Points	Home Energy Improvements
15	Installed a thermostat programmed for day and night
20	Installed a thermostat capable for double-setback
45	Installed an energy monitor
55	Installed a wood-burning stove
150	Installed a windmill, solar, or other renewable energy source

Score Board

Point Range	Your Energy Quotient
0 - 99	Very Poor
100 - 199	Poor
200 - 299	Fair
300 - 399	Tin Star
400 - 499	Copper Star
500 - 599	Bronze Star
600 - 699	Silver Star
700 - 799	Platinum Star
800 - 896	Gold Star

The E.Q. is an excerpt from “Al Ubell's Energy Saving Guide For Home Owners” and “Save Energy Save Money” books written by Alvin Ubell & George Merlis, when they where both members of the staff of ABC's Good Morning America.

George, was the Executive Producer and Alvin, was the Household Hints & Safety Reporter aka Guru of How-To.

This is the only section of the Gotham City Inspector that has a Specific and Special Copyright© and will need rewrite permission from both Ubell & Merlis to re-publish.

Environmental Effects

The buzzword of the year is “green.” We hear it everywhere and about everything, from green buildings to green business to green travel, and it's for good reason. Environmental degradation threatens all of us economically and humanistically. We all breathe the same air and live on the same planet. What happens to the environment affects everyone, and it will increasingly affect the health and well being of our children and our children's children.

Central among environmental concerns is climate change, which has been accelerated by the burning of fossil fuels. Sure, we all like to have a cool house in the summer, a warm house in the winter, ice cubes in the refrigerator and dry clothes in the laundry room. But we have to consider the environmental effects of our heavily energy-dependant lifestyles.

To that end, this issue of the Gotham City Inspector is devoted to saving energy. In these pages you'll find our popular E.Q. test so you can measure your energy quotient, and review ways in which you might be more energy efficient in your home.

As the temperature drops and we descend into the frosty days and nights of winter, this is especially important. We're turning up the thermostat, which is a major energy drain. A few simple adjustments like wearing sweaters and using an electric blanket at night may allow us to keep the thermostat a few degrees lower.

So do what you can to save energy this winter, and thank you for your continued support!