IMPROVE YOUR HOME’S
ENERGY PERFORMANCE
Figure out how your home stacks
up. Many homeowners would like their
homes to be more efficient, says Jacob
Corvidae, the Rocky Mountain Institute’s
(RMI) buildings practice manager, “but
the challenge is knowing what’s normal,
how their homes compare to their neigh-
bors’ and at what point have they done
enough.” To make home performance
a snap to quantify, RMI partnered with
real estate portals and energy estimate
services to make a “miles per gallon”
equivalent for homes convenient to
access. “People can now look up
their home [at myutilityscore.
com] and see how their home
rates in terms of energy effi-
ciency, which will give them
a quick read on whether they
are keeping up with the
Joneses or if they should be
doing more to have a func-
tional house,” says Corvidae.
Start with a home energy
audit. It’s best to start with a
home energy audit, so a profes-
sional can assess your home’s
specific needs and determine
what will give you the most bang
for your buck. “A lot of times, peo-
ple purchase what they’ve heard
about, such as new windows, but
that may not be what makes sense for
your home,” says Corvidae. Many utili-
ties even have programs that offer free
energy audits. Applying the recommen-
dations of your audit could save you
5 to 30 percent on your annual utility
bills, depending on what climate you
live in and other variables, according
to the U.S. Department of Energy.
Optimize your resources. Once you
have a sense of the big picture, it’s time
to drill down. Utilities can help here as
well, as they offer a range of energy efficiency programs, products and services
designed to take the sting out of making
upgrades. If you are interested in financing options, the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE;
dsireusa.org), funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, aggregates rebate information, tax credits and financial incentives that support energy efficiency for
each state. Ready to do some serious
retrofits? Find a qualified contractor
through the Building Performance
Institute (BPI; bpi.org). BPI is a nonprofit
organization dedicated to residential
energy efficiency and weatherization
retrofit work.—EM
(RMI) buildings practice manager, “but
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Taking steps to reduce your energy footprint
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BY ELIZABETH MARGLIN
FOR MOST people, October conjures not
only ;ashy fall foliage and the onset of a
slew of holidays, it also signifies higher
heating bills. But you have more control
over those rising bills than you think. The
key? Availing yourself of a humble resource that can reduce your utility bills,
lower pollution, improve your health and
make your home more comfortable.
This resource—energy efficiency—
means the use of less energy to provide the
same or better service. According to the
American Council for Energy-Efficient
Economy (ACEEE; aceee.org), energy e;-
ciency is the nation’s third-largest elec-
tricity resource, greater even than nuclear
power. ACEEE estimates that by choosing
energy e;ciency upgrades well, the average
residential household can save roughly
;;;; annually on electricity bills, with
additional savings on gas, fuel oil and water.
Many of the improvements that will
enhance your home’s energy e;ciency are
literally as simple as changing a light bulb.
These easy ;xes can add up to big savings.
Turn down the heat
If you have been thinking about getting
a smart thermostat (Wi-Fi-enabled devices
controlled via your phone or computer),
now is a good time, says Jennifer King, a
senior research analyst for ACEEE’s buildings program. You can often get rebates on
smart thermostats through your utilities.
Whether you’re at work, in bed or on
vacation, smart thermostats make programming temperature adjustments—
reducing heat or cooling—a breeze.
Save,
optimize,
upgrade
THECOSTCOCONNECTION
Costco and Costco.com offer a variety of
energy-efficient items, including low-flush
toilets, LED bulbs, power strips and more.
SPECIAL SECTION
FOR YOUR HOME
