Existing Homes

According to national averages compiled by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, 44% of the energy we use in our homes goes to heating and cooling , 33% goes to lighting, cooking, and other appliances, 14% goes to heating water, and 9% goes to use of the refrigerator. By following some of the tips below, you can take the necessary steps towards reducing your energy bill in all of these categories. Energy efficiency means using improved technology to decrease energy demand while conservation means adopting habits that decrease energy usage. Both of these areas offer homeowners ways to reduce their energy bills and actions range from very simple efforts like lowering your thermostat and turning off lights, to installing new high-efficiency heating and cooling equipment.

Below are some simple conservation and efficiency improvements that most homeowners can easily adopt:

• Set your thermostat to a higher temperature in the summer. Or, install a programmable thermostat that you can program to match the heating and cooling of your home to your own personal schedule. These units typically offer savings of 10 to 15 percent without compromising comfort.
• Purchase economy filters and change them monthly. Dirty filters can reduce heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system efficiency. In the event you need to replace your central air conditioning unit, consider getting a new one with a 15 SEER rating or higher (the new minimum is 13 SEER) or going with a geothermal system for maximum efficiency (approximately 30 SEER).
• Replace high-use lights with compact fluorescent lamps. Light fixtures used more than two hours per day on average are good candidates for replacement with compact fluorescent lamps. The energy bill savings will more than pay for the extra cost of the lamps over their lifetime, and you will have to replace fewer lamps because fluorescent lamps last ten times longer than ordinary light bulbs. Installing motion sensors or timers on outdoor lights, instead of leaving the lights on during nighttime hours, can also help to reduce the electricity bill.
• Outdoor air leakage comprises up to 40 per cent of the overall heating and cooling load, so invest in an energy audit to isolate where your home is losing energy.
• Increase the levels of insulation in your home or consider a conditioned attic and/or conditioned crawlspace. There is sound building science behind both of these practices and each significantly decreases heating and cooling costs and increases comfort.
• For homes with forced-air heating/cooling systems, seal duct joints with mastic or high-quality, UL-listed foil-backed duct tape and insulate ducts in unconditioned spaces like attics and crawlspaces.
• Set the temperature on your water heater to 115 to 120º F. Higher settings are unnecessary and more costly.
• Consider alternatives to help keep your home cool. Fans and dehumidifiers use less energy than air conditioners and can help to make the home comfortable during the warm months.
• When buying or replacing appliances, always choose energy efficient models.
• Weatherize your windows, and replace single-pane windows. Double-pane windows that are gas-filled with high performance glass (e.g., low emissivity or "low-e" glass) perform much better than their single-pane counterparts.
• Use less hot water. The less hot water you use, the less your water heater has to work. To accomplish this, consider replacing your shower head with a low-flow shower fixture, use your dishwasher's "energy saver" and/or "water saver" setting, and consider switching your clothes washer's temperature setting from hot to warm or cold.
• Practice conservation habits to save energy. Turn off lights that aren't being used, take shorter showers, and run the dishwasher only for full loads. All of these small steps can have a big impact on utility bills.
• Properly placed trees and shrubs help to reduce your utility bills. Deciduous trees planted on the west and south sides of your home help to keep your house shaded during the day's peak heating times.

Also, check out Energy Savers, a guide to whole house energy efficiency that provides homeowners with tips for saving energy and money at home and on the road. This is a comprehensive guide to best practices in all areas of the home: from installing windows and doors, to weather-stripping, to appliances and tubs.

Contact us today and take the first step to a more energy efficient and comfortable home.