By improving your home's energy efficiency, you can profit in three ways: save money, improve your life, help the earth - all while making your home safer and more comfortable.
Many people believe that their car is the largest single source of air pollution for which they are personally responsible. But in fact, the average home causes the emission of more than twice as much carbon dioxide—the principal greenhouse gas—as the average car. This is because most of the energy consumed in our homes is produced by burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas. This pollution is actually a hidden cost for the energy we use, over and above the dizzying $241 billion Americans spend each year on their home energy bills— that's about $2,100 per house!
Much of this energy use is unnecessary because there are a variety of proven, widely available products on the market today (heating, cooling, insulation, appliances, windows, lighting, etc.) to drastically reduce your home's energy bills, and accompanying pollution. What's more, many of these products actually improve the comfort and livability of your home.
Saving Money
Not only does the environment benefit from using energy-efficient equipment, your wallet benefits too. By using energy-efficient products, such as those with the ENERGY STAR label, you can avoid energy waste and save money on your utility bills.
Source: Typical home - U.S. Department of Energy, 2009 Buildings Energy Data Book and the savings shown are in some cases DOE estimates.
Think of it this way—whenever you buy an energy-consuming product, it really has two price tags. The first price tag is the initial purchase price. The second price tag isn't so obvious—it's the cost to operate the product over its lifetime. Because this second price tag is hidden in your monthly utility bills, it's easy to overlook. But the second price tag can be large. For some products, it can be even more than the initial price. So when you are comparing models, remember the second price tag before you buy. Products with the ENERGY STAR label come with a smaller second price tag, which means lower utility bills every month for years to come.
When we spend money on new appliances, heating and cooling equipment, or a new home, we want to get the most for our investment. A smart way to make a good investment is to think about energy efficiency. Energy-efficient products often have a little higher initial purchase price than their inefficient competitors. But the higher price is really an investment that will be paid back in utility bill savings for years to come. In fact, investments in energy-efficient products can yield returns higher than stocks, bonds, or many other alternative investments. For instance, buying a high-efficiency refrigerator instead of a standard model can yield annual "interest" of almost 25% on the initial investment.
At Residential Heating and Air Conditioning, we provide a comprehensive home energy audit for your home or office. Our goal: assess how much energy your home wastes and introduce a viable solution to make your home as energy efficient as possible.
Benefits (To Name a Few)
- Compact fluorescent lamps and LED bulbs last longer, reducing the hassle, cost, and risk of injury associated with lamp changes. CFL fluorescent torchiere light fixtures eliminate a serious fire hazard posed by the halogen fixtures they replace.
- Highly-insulating windows improve thermal comfort, reduce ultraviolet fading of furnishings, are a deterrent to burglars, and cut down on exterior noise.
- Horizontal-axis clothes washers remove stains more effectively and trim water and detergent bills.
- Efficient duct systems help eliminate pressure imbalances in homes that can precipitate indoor air quality problems such as backdrafting of combustion appliances or the entry of radon gas into the home.
- A comprehensive effort to make the home's walls, ceiling, floor and windows more efficient pays off in terms of a smaller (and thus less expensive) furnace and air conditioner.
- Air sealing makes your home more comfortable by reducing drafts, and it eliminates the drain on your budget from conditioned and heated air escaping the home.
- Hot water pipe insulation helps deliver water at the right temperature, precisely when you need it – and of course it reduces your energy bill as well.
To find out more about Home Performance, or to schedule an appointment contact us!
