The average homeowner feels a draft near a window and usually thinks: “I need to replace the windows.” Unfortunately, windows are a large investment. And, they’re the home improvement project with the least return on investment as far as energy savings is concerned. No matter how window technology changes, they will always be made of glass and will always produce more heat transfer than even an uninsulated wall. In home energy efficiency, windows are rarely, if ever, in the top five options with the best payback. So why spend $15,000 replacing your windows when investing a third as much in smarter areas will produce twice as much energy savings? The improvements with the best payback are rarely seen:
#1: Air Sealing
You pay to heat the air in your home—Why let it leak out of holes in the attic and exterior? Air sealing is inexpensive and will drastically reduce drafts in a house. Average rate of return: 30%
#2: Adding Insulation
Many homes built before 1975 don’t have any insulation at all in the sidewalls and are usually lacking significant insulation in the attic. Hiring an insulation contractor to add insulation in the attic, foundation and sidewalls will result in a warmer, quieter and more comfortable home. Average rate of return: 25%
#3: Combustion/Heating Appliances
An inefficient furnace and hot water heater can add significantly to a home’s energy bills. Electric water heaters are notoriously inefficient and older furnaces can be 35% less efficient than a newer one. Average rate of return: 10-20%
Saving Energy is an Investment
When the above investments are made in conjunction with replacing inefficient incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescents (CFLs) and improved energy habits (lowering the thermostat at night, etc.), annual energy savings of up to 40% is possible. If your local bank was offering savings accounts with a 20% interest rate, would you take it? Of course. But because we almost never see the difference in our homes by making the above changes, it feels like it’s a just a cost and not an investment. In today’s difficult economic market, homeowners need to take advantage of any low risk/high reward investment they can. And with increasing government rebates and incentives, there is no smarter investment right now.
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For more information
For further information, please contact Piping Plover Home Energy Solutions at 608-826-HOME. With one quick phone call we can compare your home’s energy use to energy efficient homes of the same size and age in Dane County to determine whether or not an in-depth home energy assessment is necessary. We then perform an analysis that integrates your home’s energy use with renewable site assessments to ultimately determine your best investment. Feel free to visit our website at www.PipingPloverEnergy.com.
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