Let Energy Savings Pay For Home Improvements Like Replacement Windows
When it comes to energy savings, homeowners have quite a lot of options. Some people will upgrade their old air conditioners for new ones that help cut down on cooling costs. Others may consider replacing their windows with better-insulating models. That’s what Joe and Samantha did when they purchased an older home near Chicago. The home had 9-foot ceilings and an abundance of large windows which allowed in a lot of natural light, making the home’s energy consumption high year-round. Replacing the windows with more efficient models meant they could save money each month on heating and air conditioning bills, as well as lower monthly utility bills overall.
But how should they go about replacing their windows? Well, the article suggests that homeowners look into their energy savings options to see if they qualify for any rebates. Rebates are given either in a lump sum or in installments as you get your new windows installed, depending on the state. In some cases, homeowners need to buy the windows from a specific dealer through an approved installer. This is what happened with Joe and Samantha: they had to buy a set of replacement windows from one source before having them installed by another business.
The article explains other factors that may affect how much energy savings you can expect over time: your climate, utility rates and even how many people live in your home. Joe and Samantha ultimately decided to replace their windows with a number of double-hung vinyl models from a well-respected installation company. And after making improvements that removed the home’s air conditioning from the equation, the couple added an energy monitor to keep track of their monthly savings.
So Joe and Samantha can say they’ve seen a lot of energy savings since installing custom replacement windows at their home in Chicago. Not only did they save money on both the cost of heating and cooling, but when Joe replaced other items like his front door, back door, flooring and carpeting they saved even more money! The article explains that installation costs are going up due to energy efficiency regulations coming into play. However, homeowners shouldn’t let that scare them away from investing in their properties. After all, the costs are usually made up within a few years and people won’t have to worry about their monthly utility bills becoming proportionally larger each year.
Read the full article: http://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/home/ct-renovation-costs-20180717-story.html
Title: How to make a smart energy investment
URL: https://www.cleantechnica.com/2018/06/11/how-to-make-a-smart-energy-investment/
Cleantechnica published an article in which a writer tries to explain how you can make an investment that will save you money by making your home more energy efficient, without having to do any of the work yourself. The writer explains that doing a few small things can make all of the difference when it comes to saving money on your monthly energy bills.
It’s quite possible that there are some items in your home that you aren’t using, but could be put to better service. For example, a good number of people have empty rooms in their homes which they haven’t used for years. While it doesn’t cost much to get someone in to do some repairs, if you use these “vacant rooms” yourself, you could make a nice little profit over time. You can also install new appliances in these spaces and create a home office or hobby room. They also suggest finding out what the "bad actors" are on your utility bill and shutting them down.
The article suggests doing something as simple as plugging in a few lamps instead of turning on the overhead light. Your energy bill could be significantly lower this way, almost instantly. In addition, make sure you’re using only the appliances that you really need, like your dishwasher and washer. If you don’t use them very often, then you just might want to replace them with something that is more energy efficient; it just might pay for itself over time!
Read the full article here: http://www.cleantechnica.com/2018/06/11/how-to-make-a-smart-energy-investment/
Title: How to Make Your Home More Efficient With Energy Star Products
URL: https://www.hcplive.com/how-to-make-your-home-more-efficient#ixzz59OWL9Tbk
HCP Live published an article in which a writer tries to explain how you can make your home more energy efficient by installing energy star products. The writer explains that the demand for these products is at an all time high because homeowners are becoming more aware of the benefits that they can bring.
The writer explains that these products are highly recommended because of the wide variety of appliances which fall under the energy star name. He also points out that there is no shortage of products to choose from, so you will have no trouble finding something which suits your home’s needs. This is especially good news for homeowners who may need to replace old appliances with more efficient models.
The article goes on to explain that there are some benefits for homeowners when it comes to adopting new energy star products: they help improve air quality, fight climate change and reduce greenhouse gases in the environment, which improves public health. In addition, they help reduce the use of fossil fuels and reduce energy consumption by nearly 5 percent.
You can find any energy star product from many different sources. It is important to note that you should always purchase products which have been approved by the EPA, since most energy star appliances are required to meet these guidelines. The article suggests that homeowners find out the maximum wattage for each appliance, since this will determine how much electricity they are using. He also suggests that you look at your lights and make sure you’re using full-spectrum bulbs instead of just those with a color temperature. This could make a huge difference in your monthly utility bills!
Read the full article here: https://www.hcplive.com/how-to-make-your-home-more-efficient#ixzz59OWL9Tbk
Title: Is Upgrading for Efficiency Worth It?
URL: https://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2017-08-24/upgrading-for-efficiency-worth-it
U.S News published an article in which a writer tries to explain how homeowners can make their home more energy efficient by making small changes to the home’s structure and appliances, or even the environment where the home is located.
Conclusion:
Gaining a higher awareness of energy efficiency is not only good for the environment, but it can also be beneficial to your wallet. When you’re aware of how to make those small changes which could actually have an impact on your bills, it’s possible that you won’t even need to go out and buy a new appliance. While you may think that upgrading their energy efficiency is beyond your reach, there are so many products available which can make a significant difference in your energy consumption.