Home Energy Upgrades That Will Drastically Lower Your Energy Bill

According to ENERGY STAR, the average household spends over $2,000 per year on energy. That’s about $167 per month, but HVAC, lighting, and appliance inefficiencies can push that figure upward. As your home energy company in Atlanta, we’re ready to assist with smart recommendations. Several upgrades can help reduce your energy usage and limit your monthly expenses.  

The Little Things That Matter

Did you know that one simple HVAC upgrade could help you slash home energy costs by up to 10 percent? With a programmable thermostat, you can schedule indoor temperatures to automatically raise or lower. Set your thermostat to lower by 10 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit when you’re asleep or away from home.

The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that water heating accounts for 18 percent of residential energy expenses. Swapping out your showerhead is a minor upgrade, but it can cut both water and energy usage. Low-flow showerheads come in two types:

• Aerating, which combine water and air to produce a spraying mist
• Laminar flow, which separates water output into tiny individual streams

Look for replacement showerheads with flow rates of less than 2.5 gallons per minute. Some models manufactured before 1992 have flow rates of 5.5 GPM, so switch older showerheads out for newer energy-efficient versions. Laminar flow showerheads are best in humid regions like the Atlanta metro area.

Energy-Smart HVAC Upgrades

ENERGY STAR estimates that average yearly cost for residential climate control is around $875 in homes using gas heating and central air. Leaky ductwork and inefficient HVAC equipment could easily drive up your costs if you neglect maintenance and upgrades. That’s because these ducts can seep heated and cooled air out of your home, making your HVAC equipment work harder than it should.

Simple upkeep measures go a long way toward conservation. Most experts recommended yearly tune-ups for your heating and cooling equipment. At the same time, regularly replacing air filters and sealing your ducts can also prevent wasted energy.

Also, don’t assume that newer homes are completely up-to-date with greener heating and cooling systems. The Department of Energy recommends upgrading heating and cooling equipment if it’s more than 10 years old. Newer units that are ENERGY STAR qualified can help slash your bill by more than $100 each year. With a lower energy bill, the HVAC upgrade cost will be well worth the money.

Keep in mind that you may also qualify for an HVAC upgrade tax credit for your new system if certain conditions apply. Regulations could change, but the Internal Revenue Service usually issues a Nonbusiness Energy Property Credit for qualifying upgrades.

The Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit may apply if your equipment includes a geothermal heat pump that meets ENERGY STAR standards. Geothermal heat pumps transfer heat to or from the ground, cutting down on energy usage and potentially cutting home energy bills by up to 65 percent.

Pay Attention to Your Appliances

Depending on specific usage patterns, most American homes use between 15 and 20 percent of their electricity running appliances. Swapping older versions out for more efficient models is another money-saving upgrade.

Look for dishwashers, refrigerators, clothes washers, and freezers bearing the ENERGY STAR label. These models operate at up to 40 percent greater efficiency than their conventional cousins. ENERGY STAR also recommends switching to newer eco-smart appliances if your current ones are more than 10 years old.

Save Money with Targeted Home Upgrades

Efficiency is key when it comes to your household energy usage. Newer ENERGY STAR certified HVAC equipment uses less electricity to keep indoor temperatures comfortable. Switching out older appliances and even small changes like new showerheads and programmable thermostats can also help. Count on your Atlanta home energy company for conservation tips and guidance.

Sandra Wood is the energy master communications specialist at Allbritten, a professional home energy auditing company in Fresno, California. She has been working in the residential energy industry for almost 10 years. She really enjoys researching and writing about anything related to energy efficiency and helping homeowners become more energy efficient.