Energy Hog - Energy Hog

You can save 10-50% on your home energy bills by making some energy smart improvements to your home. Energy-efficiency improvements not only make your home more comfortable, they can also yield long-term financial rewards. Reduced energy bills can make up for the higher price of energy-efficient appliances and improvements and your home may have a higher resale value. Due to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), energy efficiency home improvements may qualify for tax credits of up to $1,500 or 30 percent of the cost of each qualified improvement. For more details, please visit www.ase.org/taxcredits.

The key to achieving these savings is a whole-house energy-efficiency plan which requires viewing your home as one system with individual parts. Each part affects the other parts. For example, if you install ENERGY STAR® windows and good insulation, when it’s time to replace your heating or cooling system, you may be able to get a smaller one, because the windows and walls will retain the heated and cooled air inside better than a home without efficient windows and good insulation. And since heating and cooling make up the majority of your bill, you’ll save the most money on your energy bill by reducing your heating and cooling needs. Thinking of your house as a whole system ensures that the dollars you invest in energy efficiency are wisely spent.

The first step to taking a whole-house energy-efficiency approach is to find out which parts of your house need the most help. A home energy survey can help suggest the most effective ways for you to reduce your energy costs. You can conduct a simple home energy audit yourself here.

ENERGY STAR® is the government’s rating program
that shows you which items are more efficient than typical
models. More than 60 different product categories are evaluated
for their efficiency and quality, such as furnaces, computers,
and refrigerators. ENERGY STAR® products will save you
money over the product’s useful life.