Four Energy $avers that Pay, Right Away

Making your home more energy efficient can dramatically reduce your energy consumption and your utility bills. But which investments should you make first?

To help you maximize your savings, we polled our experts to find the “lowest hanging fruit”.

Attic Insulation and Ventilation:

The most cost-effective home energy saving investments have one common objective: Reduce the amount of energy your home uses for heating and cooling, which accounts for 50% to 70% of your energy consumption. That begins with proper attic insulation, which helps your home retain heat in the winter and repel heat in the summer. Many of the older homes in our area were built in the 40s and 50s, when insulation standards and materials weren’t what they are today. According to our insulation expert, “Once you add a few inches of blown insulation to these homes, you cut energy consumption by up to 20%. Pair that with low-expansion foam to seal holes around the house, and you can expect dramatic reductions in your energy bills.”

Attic temperatures in the blazing Texas heat can reach 160 degrees.

Ventilating the attic removes excess heat. Our master electrician recommends whirlybird-style attic ventilators, which don’t require electricity. “Proper ventilation supplements the insulation to minimize the heat that penetrates your ceiling.” He adds, “Installing a radiant barrier reflects the sun’s heat away from your home, reducing the temperature in your attic by up to 30 degrees.” With a radiant barrier, you can decrease your bill by up to 25%. Add that to the insulation, and you can save up to 45%.

Tankless Water Heater:

A conventional tank water heater accounts for approximately 2535% of the electricity you use in your home. Old tank heaters operate continually rather than on-demand, and store water at a temperature far higher than what you need for showering or other household uses. First you pay to constantly overheat the water and then you dilute that heat with cold. Tankless water heaters immediately reduce the waste, save you space, and perform at maximum efficiency for years longer than tank heaters.

Energy Star Windows:

Old or outdated windows can lose up to 40% of a home’s cooling in the summer and up to 50% of its heating in the winter. Energy Star windows are designed to reduce the solar heat that comes into your home in the summer months while blocking the heat from escaping during winter months.

Energy Star HVAC Units:

The majority of HVAC systems installed before 1992 are 10 SEER or less. Today’s Energy Star units go up to 19.5 SEER, and can be matched perfectly to your home to reduce your heating and cooling costs by up to 59%.

Call Us:

We know the homes in your area and we’ve helped your neighbors save thousands in annual utility costs. Let’s talk about your home and your best bets for energy savings.