Energy Conservation Can Be Your North Star

A FEW HOME APPLIANCE upgrades and practical home improvements can make you an energy conservation star.

Switching to an Energy Star-certified heat pump can help you save energy and money all year long. More efficient than furnaces or boilers, heat pumps serve double duty with heating and cooling, making this investment pay off year-round.

Your water heater is the second-highest energy user in your home, using about 20% of a home’s energy. By switching to an Energy Star-certified, high-efficiency water heater with heat pump technology, you’ll use 70% less energy and save about $300 every year.

Almost half the annual energy bill of a typical American household goes to heating and cooling. A smart thermostat is an important upgrade because it controls equipment that uses a lot of energy for heating and cooling.

Making sure your attic is well-sealed and properly insulated is one of the most important things you can do to reduce the air leaks that contribute to energy waste and make your home less comfortable. By properly sealing and insulating your attic, you can improve the comfort of your home while saving up to 10% on your energy bills.

Energy Star-certified windows save you energy and money while making your home more comfortable. Replacing old, drafty windows can lower household energy bills by an average of 12%. It may take a while to recover the cost of new windows through energy savings, but you’ll be noticeably more comfortable right away.

Make sure your home is electric-ready prior to making any big installations. Even if you’re not planning on making any changes immediately, you can work with an electrician to make sure your electric panel can accommodate any additional electrical loads. Following these tips can make your home—and wallet—shine with savings. D