Top 5 things to know about home energy efficiency

1. Home energy efficiency makes a big difference: Housing is responsible for 27% of the carbon emissions in Northeast Ohio. Reducing energy use by 50% in a “typical” home is equivalent to giving up the use of a car, in terms of carbon impact. It’s possible to reduce energy bills by 10% using low- or no-cost energy saving tips. Professional Home Improvements can reduce those bills by 50% or more.
2. Energy efficiency pays for itself and then some: Every month, your savings should be greater than your cost to finance the improvements.
3. The greenest home Is already built: It is more sustainable, more efficient and more cost effective to rehab an existing house compared to building a new one.
4. Seal it tight and ventilate it right: Major home energy efficiency improvements should include the addition of controlled mechanical ventilation for optimal durability and health. Once mechanical ventilation is installed, homes should be sealed up as tight as possible. The addition of mechanical ventilation enables maximum energy efficiency.
5. You can put your home on the path to deep energy reductions: In order to meet long-term carbon reduction goals to stop climate change, ultimately, we need to reduce energy use in homes significantly more than the typical energy efficiency improvements produce. Homes that need a lot of rehab work are a great opportunity for deep energy reductions. Even if it is not possible to do a complete deep energy reduction on your home all at once, there are unique opportunities over the life of a home to put and keep it on the path toward deep energy reductions.

12 low and no cost Do-It-Yourself energy saving tips

1. Install a programmable thermostat and program it
2. Weatherize doors and windows
3. Use blinds and shades to control heat gain
4. Control phantom loads (appliances/electronics that use energy when powered off, but still plugged in) with power strips
5. Set hot water heater thermostat to 120°F
6. Wash clothes in cold water
7. Replace furnace filter regularly
8. Install CFLs (but be aware of clean-up and disposal methods)
9. Air-seal gaps and cracks, and ducts in unconditioned spaces like your attic
10. Insulate and air-seal rim joists in your basement
11. Insulate hot water tank (but be careful with gas water heaters and follow instructions)
12. Install low-flow showerheads

6 professional home improvements to reduce utility bills

1. Have an energy audit performed, including a blower door test
2. Professional air sealing
3. Attic insulation
4. Wall insulation
5. Replace hot water heater with a more efficient model
6. Replace furnace with a more efficient model

Information for this page compiled by the SC2019 Green Building>Retrofits group.