Before high energy bills become a distant memory — not to mention the cold drafts — Focus on Energy wants to help you make a plan right now to save next winter. To do this, Focus on Energy is offering technical assistance and financial incentives to help you improve the energy efficiency of your home. Through their Home Performance with ENERGY STAR^® Program, you have the opportunity to take control of your energy use — resulting in lower energy bills and a more comfortable home.

Taking control over your energy use
High energy bills are primarily traced to poorly performing components of your home such as air leaks and insufficient insulation. This is an important reason why you should try to pinpoint the exact source of your high energy bills. To do this you can work with a consultant or qualified contractor who partners with Home Performance with ENERGY STAR; they will help you find the problem and the solution.

In many cases your consultant or contractor will make one of the following six recommendations to lower your energy consumption:

1. Add Insulation. Insulation is designed to resist heat flow — that is, if it is cold outside, insulation helps keep heat inside the house. In winter, for instance, heat will move toward an attic or unheated attached garage. And during the hot summer months, hot air trapped inside an attic can warm the cooler air in the rooms below. To get the biggest savings, the easiest place to add insulation is in the attic; however, it is important to determine how much and what kind of insulation you already have.
2. Air Seal. Air sealing is simply closing holes, cracks and gaps where air can pass into or out of your home. Air conditioners and furnaces run to maintain a comfortable temperature. And if your home has air leaks it will use more energy and cost more to heat or cool because the systems must work longer to maintain that temperature. In fact, hidden air leaks often add up to the equivalent of an open window. Thankfully, sealing air leaks will help your home maintain a comfortable temperature throughout the home year-round and will help to lower your energy bills.
3. Install a Programmable Thermostat. Programmable thermostats help to save you money and keep your home comfortable by automatically adjusting temperature settings while you’re asleep or away. When properly used, programmable thermostats could save you as much as $100 per year.
4. Replace Outdated Cooling Systems. The decision to upgrade your home’s cooling or heating can be a difficult and expensive one. But with the Efficient Heating & Cooling Program, a sister program of Home Performance with ENERGY STAR, you may qualify for a Cash-Back Reward on the purchase of high efficiency central air conditioners, furnaces and boilers installed by contractors partnering with the program. During the warmer months, it’s especially comforting to know ENERGY STAR qualified air conditioners can use up to 50 percent less energy than standard models.
5. Install Ceiling Fans. Ceiling fans can be used in lieu of air conditioners; however, be sure to turn the fan off when you’re not in the room to save energy — fans cool people, not rooms.
6. Call Focus on Energy. While the above tips are important, nothing compares to a personalized, professional opinion. When you call Focus on Energy, you can schedule a home energy evaluation, which will help you find out exactly what energy efficiency improvements your home needs. In addition to technical expertise, you may qualify for Cash-Back Rewards or financing options when you make energy efficiency improvements through the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Program. Improvements made will pay off not only in lower energy bills, but in peace of mind knowing your home is now comfortable and less of a strain on the environment. To schedule an appointment, call 800.762.7077 or visit focusonenergy.com/getcomfortable.