Low-Cost Energy Saving Solutions for Your Home
John Toth, President
North Coast Building Industry Association (NCBIA) ncbia.com
With prices going up on goods and services across the board, you might be looking for ways to lower your household expenses. Now is a great time to think about making some home improvements so you can save money on your utility bills throughout the year. With approximately 13% of greenhouse gas emissions coming directly from buildings due to heating, cooling, and cooking needs, here are a few ways to both save money on energy and reduce your carbon footprint this year.
A professional energy audit is a great first step in benchmarking your home’s energy efficiency and giving you a better sense of what actions you can take to improve it.
Weatherize Your Home. You can do this by sealing any noticeable cracks, particularly around leaky doors, and windows. Caulking these areas and weatherstripping can help air-seal troublesome spots in your house. For low- or moderate-income customers, you also might be eligible for the Weatherization Assistance Program to help offset costs.
Add Insulation. After you take steps to air-seal your home, adding insulation to your attic, basement, and walls can go a long way in saving money on electricity – the insulation helps keep the heat inside your house, also making your home more comfortable.
Make Window Improvements. Even if you don’t have the upfront cash to upgrade your windows now, less expensive options include caulking, weatherstripping, and adding thicker window coverings to keep you warm during the winter.
Reduce Phantom Loads. Phantom loads include electricity being used by appliances or devices purely because they are plugged into the walls, even if the device is on standby mode or off. Consider getting a programmable smart power strip or simply unplug your devices whenever they are not in use.
Check Your Water Heater Settings. Chances are you haven’t touched your water heater in years. Try lowering the temperature to reduce your energy use.
Take Advantage of Your Blinds. To best take advantage of the sun, let the natural light in during the day to help heat your house, but close your curtains at night to help lock the heat in.
Close Your Vents and Doors. For rooms you don’t use often, consider closing those vents and doors to help eliminate energy waste.
An NAHB Certified Green Professional (CGP)™ designation is a reliable way to identify builders, remodelers, manufacturers, and other industry professionals who are committed to making your home green. To find a CGP-certified professional to learn more about the latest energy-saving techniques for your home, contact NCBIA.
We are your local not-for-profit trade association representing member companies involved in all aspects of home building, remodeling, and other services available to help you in the future, and more information on the above topic. So, you can see that you use an NCBIA member for your protection. If you are unsure that your contractor is a member of the NCBIA or you are looking for a list of NCBIA members, you can visit our website at www.ncbia.com or call 440-934-1090. We also have a job posting board (under the Industry tab).
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UPCOMING EVENT – SAVE THE DATE!
The NCBIA annual Home and Remodeling Show – Saturday, March 15th, from 9-5 and Sunday, March 16th, from 10-3. New Location! Spitzer Conference Center, Lorain County Community College, 1005 North Abbe Road Elyria. Free Admission – Free Parking. Over 50 Vendors, 84 Lumber’s Kids Corner, Food Trucks, and more to come!
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