Save Money
According to the US department of Energy, in the typical home 45% of household energy costs are spent on heating, cooling & lighting alone (US DOE 2007 Buildings Energy Data Book). Said another way, nearly half of what you spend on energy comes from only three areas. There are many changes, some as inexpensive as changing out your incandescent bulbs (those traditional light bulbs) with Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFL – those corkscrew bulbs) to more expensive upgrades such as insulation, new furnaces or air conditioning units. There are many ways to save money by increasing the efficiency of the appliances used in the home as well as the efficiency of the structure itself.
By understanding the relationship between the many components in a house, we help our customers prioritize projects by demonstrating both the cost of a change along with the impact that change will have on the overall energy footprint of the house. Outside of a comprehensive energy audit, any time a homeowner is planning on undertaking any renovations, there is often an opportunity to take additional steps, often as simple as caulking around drywall and frame joints to improve the energy consumption of a house. See our blog for specific tips.
The most effective strategy for improving household energy efficiency is to first target your home’s envelope—walls, attic, windows, and doors. Then improve the energy efficiency of systems, such as heating, cooling, lighting, and appliances. Finally, consider clean energy generation (solar, geothermal, and so on).
Most home performance retrofit projects will pay for themselves over time in reduced energy consumption and lower utility bills. But thanks to numerous incentive programs – including many funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) – you can accelerate that return on investment.
Contact Us today to learn how you can save energy, and dollars!
