top of page

Home Energy Efficiency

image.png

Saving Energy At Home

Saving energy at home doesn’t have to involve major improvements; there are everyday things you can do to reduce the energy your home uses. Here are some tips:

 

Use a programmable thermostat: Set your thermostat to adjust the temperature based on your schedule automatically. Your local utility may offer savings, such as these from Eversource, on thermostats that let you remotely monitor and control your home’s temperature at the touch of a button or with thermostats that monitor the weather and adjust automatically.

​

Use energy-efficient appliances: Modern appliances use less electricity than older models. Look for ENERGY STAR® certified appliances.

​

Cover gaps in known draft areas: like at the bottom of doors or window sills; use drapes and curtains to keep the warmth in the important areas.

​

Replace your light bulbs: Traditional incandescent light bulbs use a lot of electricity, mostly for heat. Energy-efficient alternatives, like LED bulbs, use less electricity and last longer. Visit the Eversource Business Savings Center for more information and to purchase lights. 

​

Reduce standby power: Many electronic devices use power even when they're in "standby" or "sleep" mode. This low-level use can add 5 to 10% to your electricity bill. You can buy Smart power strips that automatically turn off your devices when not in use.

​

Wash your clothes in cold water: When possible, wash your clothes in cold water to save energy.

​

Use natural light: Take advantage of natural light when possible. In the summer close your curtains and blinds; in the winter keep them closed except to let in sun to help heat your home.

​

Dress appropriately: Dress for the weather inside and outside.

​

Besides these tips, you can assess your home’s energy performance relative to similar homes and access many more resources for home energy efficiency improvements at Energy Star.

​

Assess the energy efficiency of your home and see how it measures up:

EPA's Home Energy Yardstick provides a simple assessment of your home's annual energy use compared to similar homes. By answering a few basic questions about your home, you can get:

  • Your home's Home Energy Yardstick score (on a scale of 0 to 10);

  • Insights into how much of your home's energy use is related to heating and cooling versus other everyday uses like appliances, lighting, and hot water;

  • Links to guidance from ENERGY STAR on how to increase your home's score, improve comfort, and lower utility bills 

  • An estimate of your home's annual carbon emissions.

Home Energy Assessments

A home energy assessment can help you identify areas where your home needs more insulation, find cracks or penetrations that leak heated or cooled air to the outdoors or allow hot or cool air to leak into the home, and give you a better understanding of whether your home uses more energy for heating, cooling, or other uses.  This helps you prioritize improvements that will help lower your energy bills and improve the comfort of your home.

 

Home Energy Solutionsâ„  (HES) offers in-home assessments of insulation, air leakage, doors and windows, sealing and weatherstripping, lighting, and energy-efficient appliances and systems for immediate and longer-term energy savings. The program also offers energy-saving improvements, custom recommendations, rebates, incentives, and more for homeowners, renters, and landlords. Home Energy Solutionsâ„  connects homeowners, renters, or landlords to rebates and incentives for efficiency improvements—regardless of the heating fuel they use.

 

Under the Income-Eligible Home Energy Solutionsâ„  program, If you meet the income requirements, you may qualify for no-cost home weatherization service.  The program features no-cost services such as safety tests on your furnace or boiler, weatherization, water-saving measures, and a workbook containing energy-saving tips.  If you choose to add more insulation or upgrade to high-efficiency heating and cooling systems, water heaters, windows, or appliances, the program will connect you to discounts and rebates.  Check your eligibility for the program at the link above.

​

A HES energy audit will provide the first level of air sealing to reduce air leakage, a list of improvements you can make to improve your home's energy performance, and a list of financial incentives and rebates for improvements.

​

The HES program can provide a list of qualified contractors to do the work.  This is the first step, as the quality and the amount of work done can vary by contractor.  Sustainable Southbury provides free energy coaching and services and can help you evaluate contractors.


A note on energy efficiency and indoor air quality (IAQ):  Proper ventilation is crucial for both good air quality and energy efficiency - too little ventilation can trap pollutants, while excessive ventilation can lead to unnecessary heating and cooling energy loss.  While sealing air leaks is essential for energy efficiency, it can also limit natural ventilation and potentially worsen IAQ if not managed carefully.  A good, qualified HES contractor will help you evaluate your IAQ.  If you think your home could benefit from an air purifier, see the Eversource  store for products and rebates.

Common Air Leaks.png
bottom of page