Top 10 Energy Efficient Measures to Consider When You Remodel
Knowing where to start with efficiency can be overwhelming. To help guide you, The Neighborhood Energy Connection and Xcel Energy have partnered to offer this list of measures most often implemented.
Homeowners should have an energy audit before major work is started in order to qualify for the best rebates possible.
Attic/wall insulation and weather stripping/sealing leaks
Sealing and insulating—done by a knowledgeable homeowner or skilled contractor—can save more than $200 a year in heating and cooling costs or up to 10 percent on total annual energy bills. Sealing leaks and adding insulation can:
- Improve the overall comfort of your home
- Reduce noise from outside
- Prevent pollen, dust and insects (or pests) from entering your home
- Improve humidity control
- Lower the chance for ice dams on the roof/eves
Upgraded lighting
ENERGY STAR® lighting provides bright, warm light while using 75 percent less energy, generating 70 percent less heat and lasting up to ten times longer than standard lighting. Xcel Energy partners with various retailers to offer discounted bulbs.
High-efficiency shower heads and faucets
Faucets that use a maximum of 1.5 gallons per minute can reduce a sink’s water flow by 30 percent without sacrificing performance. Also, a 7-minute shower taken with a high-efficiency shower head uses less water than a full bath.
Programmable thermostat
By turning your thermostat back 10 to 15 degrees for eight hours, you can save 5 to 15 percent a year on your heating bill, a savings of as much as 1 percent for each degree if the setback period is at least eight hours long.
Insulated water heater
Just like insulating your walls or roof, insulating your hot water tank is an easy and inexpensive way to improve energy efficiency and save you money. If your water tank is new, it is likely already insulated. If you have an older hot water tank, check to see if it has insulation with an R-value of at least 24. If not, consider insulating it, which could save you about 4 to 9 percent in water heating costs—and should pay for itself in about a year. You can find pre-cut jackets or blankets available from around $20. If you don’t know your water heater tank’s R-value, touch it. A tank that is warm to the touch needs additional insulation.
Check out the Green Path Energy Tour, sponsored by Xcel Energy, to find more energy saving ideas. Or visit XcelEnergy.com