President's Message: Things that will put a serious dent in energy bills
Stop sending so much money to your utility company with these simple strategies.
Eighty-nine percent of us believe we’re doing the right things to lower energy costs, and almost half of us think our homes already are energy efficient. Yet, 59% of us say our bills are going up, despite our efforts to economize.
Although it looks like you're giving in to higher utility bills, it doesn’t have to be that way.
Follow these five cheap tips to help lower your costs.
Newer homes – those built fewer than 30 years ago – are already energy efficient, because they were built to code. But don’t bank on it. Building codes change pretty regularly, so even newer homes benefit from improvements.
Utilities are out to get us. They’ll jack up prices no matter what we do. It might feel good to blame them, but to get any rate changes, utilities must make a formal case to public utility commissions.
Energy improvements should pay for themselves. It doesn’t work that way. In a recent survey, when consumers were asked what they would expect to recoup if they invested $4,000 in energy-efficient home improvements, they said about 75% to 80%.
Unless you invest in some kind of renewable energy source like geothermal and solar, you won’t see that kind of savings. Even if you do all the right things, the most you should expect is a 20% to 30% reduction annually.
Expensive improvements will have the biggest impact. That’s why homeowners often choose pricey projects like replacing windows, which should probably be fifth or sixth on the list of energy-efficient improvements.
There’s nothing wrong with investing in new windows. They feel sturdier; look pretty; can increase the value of your home; feel safer than old, crooked windows; and, yes, offer energy savings you can feel. But new windows are the wrong choice if your only reason for the project was reducing energy costs.
You could replace double-pane windows with new efficient ones for about $9,000 to $12,000 and save $27 to $111 a year on your energy bill, according to EnergyStar. Or you could spend around $1,000 for new insulation, caulking, and sealing, and save 11% on your energy bill, or $227.
Five things that really will help to cut energy costs
Caulk and seal air leaks. Buy a few cans of Great Stuff and knock yourself out over a weekend to seal around plumbing lines, electrical wires, recessed lighting, window, crawlspaces and attics. The savings could be $227 a year – or more if you add or upgrade insulation.
Hire a pro to seal ductwork and give your HVAC a tune-up. Leaky ducts are a common energy-waster. The savings could be up to $412 a year.
Program your thermostat. The savings could be up to $180 a year.
Replace all your light bulbs with LEDs. They’re coming down in price, making them even more cost effective. The savings could be at least $75 a year by replacing your five most frequently used bulbs with Energy Star-rated models.
Reduce the temperature on your water heater. Set your tank heater to 120 degrees, not the 140 degrees to which most are set out of the box. Also, wrap an older water heater and the hot water pipes in insulating material to save on heat loss. The savings could be $12 to $30 a year for each 10-degree reduction in temperature.
Contact a member of Stark Trumbull Area Realtors when it’s time to buy or sell a home. Kyle Oberlin is the 2023 president of Stark Trumbull Area Realtors. Reach him at info@star.realtor.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: President's Message: Things that will put a serious dent in energy bills
