How do you increase energy efficiency in your home? One of the most cost-effective ways to increase energy efficiency in your home without making drastic changes to your living space or purchasing expensive new appliances is through the Energy Star program. The Energy Star program offers many energy efficient upgrades and products that you can buy and install yourself, often with a rebate from the manufacturer. By following the tips below, you can increase your energy efficiency by several percentage points, saving yourself money on your utility bills, while also contributing to the protection of our planet.
What is the Energy Star Program for Energy Efficiency?
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy established the Energy Star program to help consumers save money and protect our planet through superior energy efficiency. The Energy Star program provides a simple way for manufacturers to indicate which of their products meet government-set standards for saving energy—allowing consumers to easily identify energy efficient home appliances and products when shopping for new appliances, electronics, lighting, and other needs.
Energy Efficient Appliances
Installing energy efficient appliances is one of the best ways to reduce your energy costs and increase your home’s energy efficiency. Appliances account for about 15% of your household’s total energy use, so paying attention to them will help you save money on utility bills every month. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has created a list of over 200 products that meet their criteria for an Energy Star rating. These include air conditioners, furnaces, heat pumps, air cleaners, water heaters and more. Installation costs vary by product; however, these savings can quickly offset any expenses made during installation.
Where to Start
If you have a home, there’s a good chance it has a few energy vampires running around. An energy vampire is any appliance that uses power but doesn’t do anything productive; when we think of energy vampires, we often think of things like coffee makers and televisions, but your refrigerator and hot water heater can also be vampiric. Luckily, you can use energy saving technologies like a smart plug to track these appliances and shut them off when they aren’t in use. The beauty of these devices is their simplicity: You plug them into an outlet and then plug your appliances into it. You can then connect a smartphone app and turn off your appliances with the click of a button, schedule and automatically have appliances and devices shut off during off peak usage times, and monitor appliance energy consumption along the way. The ultimate goal would be to replace these appliances and devices with energy friendly products.
How Much Money Can I Save?
The average household can save up to $450 per year on their utility bills by investing in Energy Star certified products according to program report impacts. If you’re looking for a way to increase your energy efficiency while also cutting down on your expenses, one of your best bets is to invest in Energy Star certified appliances, products, devices, equipment, electronics, etc. A list is provided here. The Energy Star program promotes products that reduce electricity usage while still meeting consumers’ expectations for quality and comfort—giving you more money back at the end of each month. Additional savings can be achieved by plugging appliances (especially non Energy Star certified) into smart plugs. You also may be able to take advantage of rebates offered by the federal government and local utility companies. In fact, if you are an eligible recipient under the new infrastructure bill, loans and grants are available to assist with energy audits, upgrades and retrofits.
In Conclusion
There are practical energy saving home improvements that you can make to increase energy efficiency in your home. Of the ways to improve energy efficiency, one proven method is to purchase energy efficient home appliances and products certified by the Energy Star program. Small simple steps and choices can lead to big savings over the long run!
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