Ask Dennis Creech about:
Making your home energy smart

By Dennis Creech

In Georgia, yearly energy costs for a typical home can exceed $1,200; energy bills for a bigger house, or one that is older and less efficient, may be double that amount.

While most consumers realize that energy improvements can cut utility bills, many people don't realize the other benefits of an energy-efficient home. When homes are tighter and well-insulated, they are more comfortable and less prone to moisture problems. Sealing holes in the building envelope helps to block insects, rodents and other pests, as well as dust, pollen and mold spores. Energy-efficient homes are also quieter and maintain a higher resale value.

Before you start improving the energy efficiency of your home, you may want to have an expert assess its current features and make recommendations. Many electric membership cooperatives offer energy audits for little or no cost. You can also get a copy of Home Energy Projects, a free, do-it-yourself guide to common energy improvements for Georgia homes. Order the guide from the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority at (404) 656-5176.

Until you get your guide, let's look at a few common energy improvements for Georgia homes. The cost of a particular improvement and the savings it will provide varies from home to home, so take these estimates as averages.

Attic insulation is one of the best energy investments for Georgia's climate. Annual energy bills for a 1,500-square-foot home with only a few inches of attic insulation could be $150 more than for a home with 10 inches or more. If the insulation in your home's attic is less than six inches deep, then consider increasing the depth.

The best way to measure the effectiveness of insulation is by the R-value (R-value measures its resistance to heat flow). If the attic insulation is above R19 (roughly six inches deep), then consider other energy improvements first. If less than six inches deep, then increasing the depth to 10 to 12 inches will provide about R30-the level recommended for new homes in Georgia.

If the exterior walls of your home do not have insulation, then blowing insulation inside the stud cavities can be a great investment; it can save about as much as attic insulation. Insulating a wall requires drilling holes in either the inside or outside wall. If the house has wood siding, or you're planning on painting interior walls, then blowing insulation into the wall stud cavities can be done economically.

Although expensive, replacing older, less efficient heating and cooling equipment can be an attractive investment. The energy savings often yields a return on your investment equal to those provided by high-performing stocks. Plus, energy investments give you immediate comfort and are less risky.

The key to replacing equipment is to get the right size. Many homes have heating and cooling equipment that is too large, especially if the home has had energy improvements. Equipment that is too big costs more to buy and operate, is noisy and does not control moisture well. If replacing heating and cooling equipment, have the contractor use a computer to accurately calculate the correct size. This calculation, called a heating and cooling load calculation, takes less than an hour for most homes and can save hundreds of dollars on the equipment purchase price and operating costs.

Equipment efficiency is also important. Most contractors can use the heating and cooling load calculations to estimate the operating costs of equipment with various efficiency ratings. Use these estimates to match the best efficiency for your home. While high-efficiency equipment costs more, it may be a good investment if it saves enough on energy bills.

When replacing the heating and cooling equipment, don't forget the ductwork. Poorly sealed and insulated ducts can easily account for 15 percent of a home's total heating and cooling bill. Leaky ducts often draw unhealthy attic and crawl space air into a home. If ducts are easily accessible, then they can usually be sealed and insulated for a few hundred dollars-one of the best energy improvements.

Upgrading the efficiency of heating and cooling equipment and ductwork can cut energy costs over 30 percent. One way to determine if this upgrade is a good investment is to examine past energy bills.

Average the bills for months when there is little or no need for heating and cooling-usually April, May, September and October. This average estimates the cost for lighting, appliances and water heating. Subtract this average from each month's bill to determine the cost of heating and cooling with the old equipment. You should be able to cut this cost by 30 percent or more with higher efficiency equipment and ductwork. If available, average several years' worth of bills to account for unusual weather.

You can also use this estimate of energy costs to determine if upgrading the efficiency of the windows is worthwhile. Leaky, single-glazed windows can account for as much as 25 percent of heating and cooling costs. Installing storm windows or double-glazed replacement units will cut the energy loss in half through these windows.

Energy-efficient windows are like many other energy features; they provide benefits other than saving money on energy bills. Efficient windows improve comfort, block noise and reduce condensation on glass and frame surfaces. Less condensation means that paint and trim will last longer. Keeping surfaces dry also means less mold growth, which enhances health.

While many energy improvements are inexpensive, some can cost hundreds of dollars. But don't despair if your dream home needs a major upgrade. Some financial institutions recognize that improving energy efficiency reduces the risk of late payment and default on mortgage loans. Many of these institutions (and many electric co-ops) offer energy-efficient mortgages that provide extra money for energy upgrades.