Each year, Americans spend more than $160 billion on home energy costs, including heat, air conditioning and electricity. If you’ve noticed a hike in your energy bills, don’t assume it’s because of an increase in gas and oil prices. For many homeowners, high energy bills result from insufficient energy conservation. By improving your home’s energy efficiency, you may be able to shave 20% to 30% off your bills.
Tips for Saving “Green”
A bright idea. Replace regular incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs, which last longer and use less energy. Artificial lighting consumes almost 15% of a household’s electricity use. Use of new lighting technologies can reduce lighting energy use in homes by 50% to 75%. You can reduce lighting energy use by selecting lighting sources that use energy more efficiently and by installing lighting controls.
Locate your home’s problem areas. Two main causes for home energy loss are leaks in attic floors and cracks in forced-air ducts. A few leaks in the attic consume between 30% and 50% of your home’s heat, and unsealed air ducts can reduce your home’s energy efficiency by 40%. If possible, seal your attic floor before insulating the rest of the space. Search for cracks in air ducts and seal them with duct mastic or fiberglass tape. Learn more at www.ThisOldHouse.com.
Spray foam insulation is one of the most energy-efficient materials that completely air-seals buildings. Spray foam insulation offers many other benefits including: saving on energy costs; stopping air and moisture infiltration; reducing dust and pollen; and increased durability compared to other types of insulation.
Look for the ENERGY STAR® Label. According to the government’s Energy Star Program, “Energy-efficient choices can save families about a third on their energy bills with similar savings of greenhouse gas emissions, without sacrificing features, style or comfort.” The ENERGY STAR label can be found on products in more than 40 categories including appliances, consumer electronics, heating and cooling equipment, lighting, office equipment, and home products such as roofing, doors and windows.
ARC Energy Audit Discount for MAX Members. ARC Energy Auditing Services is offering MAX members a special $25 discount in the price of its energy audit. If you are interested in having an energy audit completed on your home, contact ARC at 334.386.0366 or by email at energyaudit@arccservices.com, and be sure to mention that you are a MAX member.
Save More with 2009 Tax Credits. The good news is that Congress signed into law new consumer tax credits for energy efficient home improvements. These provisions were included in the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008.
You can get a one-time income tax credit of up to $500 in total for installing efficient new windows, insulation, doors, roofs, and heating and cooling equipment in your home. The home improvement tax credits apply for improvements “placed in service” from January 1, 2009, through December 31, 2009. Visit the U.S. Department of Energy for more information.
