Energy Efficient Home Renovation

If you live in an older home, you may want to consider an energy efficient home renovation to not only save on your utility bills but to also help keep you comfortable. Fifty percent of a home's energy use comes from heating and cooling, so replacing your existing equipment can substantially lower your utility bills if you choose the right energy-efficient units.

Light bulbs aren't the only energy efficient change you can make.

Cooling Your Home

When it comes to replacing your central air conditioning unit, look for a SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating) that is 12 or higher. Energy ratings list how many BTUs per hour are removed for each watt of power drawn. You can find this information on the Energy Guide label affixed to every new air conditioning unit. As you shop, be sure to buy a unit that is the right size for the area you plan to cool. Energy Star appliances offer the highest SEER ratings.

Initially energy-efficient air conditioners cost more, but over time the money saved will more than pay for the unit. In some cases, energy companies offer rebates that cover all or part of the price difference between a less efficient unit and the energy-efficient air conditioner you plan to install. If you plan to use your air conditioner frequently, be sure to purchase the most efficient air conditioner you can afford. The savings on your electric bill will pay you back over time.

Another tip for saving money on cooling your house in the summer months is to run your thermostat at 78 degrees. The lower you set the thermostat, the more it costs. Consider installing a programmable thermostat that automatically adjusts the temperature for the hours when you aren't home. And as you make your renovations, install your thermostat on an inside wall to prevent the temperature outside from causing your heat or AC from running more than needed.

Energy Efficient Windows

Replacing existing windows with energy efficient windows prevents unwanted heating and cooling loss, discomfort, and condensation problems. This improvement translates into significant savings and in most states, residential and commercial programs can be found that offer incentives and rebates to encourage the installation of energy efficient windows. Be sure to caulk and weather strip all openings to the outside to add an additional 10 percent savings to your energy bills.

Lighting Your Home

As you plan your renovation project, consider adding more natural lighting to cut your use of electricity. Adding a high quality energy efficient lighting system, like compact fluorescent lamps and "soft-start" electronic ballasts, also cuts lighting costs by 30 to 60 percent because fluorescent lighting is about three to five times as efficient and bulbs last 10 to 20 times longer.

Insulation

Increase the comfort of your home and reduce your cooling costs by installing sufficient insulation. You'll want to start in the attic, where temperatures easily climb to 115 degrees in the summer. Be sure to insulate and seal attic air ducts, too. For more information, you can visit the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association's website to learn about federal tax incentives for your renovation.

Financing Energy Efficient Home Renovation

Financing is available for qualified homeowners making improvements in:

• Heating and cooling equipment
• Insulation
• Windows
• Water heaters
• Energy Star qualified appliances

You can learn how energy efficient your home is by scheduling a free home energy review or audit. As an added bonus, making energy efficient home renovation improvements actually raises the resale value of your home.

Spending Money to Save Money

Once you've installed your energy-efficient appliances and heating/cooling systems, be sure to maintain them. Change the air conditioning or furnace filter once a moth. A clean filter moves more air across the system. If it is plugged, air slows down. It comes out colder or warmer, but it's not the maximum volume of air.

Over the long term, it pays to make sure your equipment continues to run properly. Maintaining your heating and cooling equipment saves 20 to 30 percent on utility bills and the life of the equipment is longer. Well-maintained equipment experiences fewer breakdowns. To help keep your equipment in top shape, you may want to consider an annual maintenance agreement.

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