Burr!! It is cold outside today. Looks like the temperature is somewhere in the 40's and it is cloudy and damp. The maple tree in my front yard has bright red leaves both on its branches and on the ground.
Inside my home it's definitely warmer. I have the thermostat set at 68 degrees, but with the cold weather upon us, I'll be seeing that power bill climb again. The Department of Energy estimates that 56% of the energy use in a typical home comes from heating and cooling. If your house is not very energy efficient, it can be much more than that.
How do you know if you have an efficient house? You can get an energy audit and then have your home "weatherized". Weatherization is a term used to describe various improvements made to homes to optimize energy efficiency. According to the Department of Energy, on average, weatherization which can include things such as sealing up leaks in ductwork, replacing windows, replacing the HVAC system and adding insulation (among others), can reduce your heating bills by as much as 32%. That is about $350 per year at current prices.
I have an article about Weatherizartion in my November On-line newsletter. To see this and other articles click here.
Don't have the money to do home improvement projects? There are government programs to help people with limited income get weatherization done to their homes. Check out this website to get info on government help. Also, Alabama Power has low interest loans that can be paid through your power bill. Info on what is covered on their weatherization program and who to call can be found here.
There are also ways to get tax credits for making energy efficient improvements to your home which means money in your pocket - so don't miss out. This is a great time to improve the energy efficiency of your home AND not only save on utility bills but also increase the value of your home.
Toni.. This is some good information. But I had a laugh on your first sentence. Burr.. at 40 degrees. I knew with this you had to live someplace warm. I woke up to 21 degrees here in CT.
Toni.. On another note. I put in a new air conditioner and water heater this year. Maybe in 10 years I'll see the cost savings. The AC unit was $5,500 alone.
Yes Valerie,
I was born in Massachusetts but have been a "southener" for a long time. We had ONE snow storm last year (almost 2 inches) and that was the first one in almost 5 years!
Thanks for the memories.
Toni