Seeing is believing

An energy assessment prompted Russell Vowell to make his home more energy efficient. His home on Big Bend Lane is part of the Green Home Tour, Saturday, Sept. 19

An assessment measures a home’s energy use with a custom list of energy-saving recommendations to help a homeowner develop a plan to make a residence more efficient, according to Vowell.

The result of Vowell’s analysis was to retrofit the attic of his home with foam insulation, which has lowered heating costs by one half and air conditioning costs by one third.

“It improved our electrical consumption,” Vowell said. “Our attic space has become a 10 degree living area, which means it’s no hotter or colder in the attic than it is in the central living area of the house by 10 degrees.”

Vowell and nine homeowners like him will be on hand to talk energy efficiency at Fredericksburg Shines’ third annual Fredericksburg and Gillespie County fall tour of homes from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday.

“Seeing is believing,” said John Watson, executive director of Fredericksburg Shines. “Unless people see it in their neighborhood or at a friend’s house, green energy is off in the distance or like the Wizard of Oz.

“Our goal is not just to educate the public but to get them to try out these sustainable practices in their own homes.”

Energy saving practices to be showcased on the tour include solar applications with both ground and roof mount for electricity generation and water heating, water applications, low water native plantings, special green constructions, and electric and hybrid cars. 

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