Would you like your Greenwood home’s energy bills to be lower? Of course! Who wouldn’t prefer to pay
less for energy? And if you’re concerned about the health of our area and the planet, you probably want to
use as little energy as possible, so you won’t contribute to climate change. Fortunately, there’s a long list
of things you can do to reduce your Greenwood home’s energy efficiency and reduce its consumption.
Most Greenwood homeowners use too much energy
The simple fact is that most homeowners in our community (and in the surrounding area) use more
energy than they really need to. That’s important to know, because your electric, gas, and any other
energy bills for your home are based upon the actual amount of energy you use. If you use 10 percent
more electricity than you need to, your bills are going to be 10 percent higher than they should be. The
key to addressing this problem is to learn how your home uses energy and to spot places and situations
where you’re using too much.
Improve heating and cooling systems
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, more than half of the average home’s energy
costs are to cool or heat the home. If you have an older air conditioner or heating system, it’s probably
nowhere as efficient as today’s technology. Consider upgrading to a high-efficiency model that can
produce the same amount of heating or cooling using far less energy. One great upgrade option for
Greenwood homeowners is shifting to a heat pump that provides both heating and cooling. High-
efficiency heat pumps may also make you eligible for a substantial federal tax credit.
Upgrade your home’s water heater
When it’s time to replace their home’s water heaters, many homeowners make a bad decision. They want
to spend as little as possible, so they don’t pay a little extra for the models that offer higher efficiency.
Over the life of your water heater, a high-efficiency model will use far less energy, so you’re likely to
more than make up for the higher purchase cost with energy savings. Switching to one of today’s tankless
models can give you even bigger savings and better performance. Not ready to replace your water heater?
Consider wrapping it in an insulating blanket and lower its thermostat to 120 degrees (which is safer, too).
Install better lighting and appliances
Two other major energy users are home appliances and lighting, and replacing yesterday’s less-efficient
equipment with newer technology can lead to remarkable savings. For example, replacing incandescent
and CFL light bulbs with LED bulbs means you can reduce energy costs for lighting by as much as 75
percent! When shopping for appliances, look for Energy Star-certified models that meet strict energy
efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy.
Improve your home’s insulation and sealing
All Greenwood homes have some degree of insulation, but older homes and many production homes
don’t have as much insulation as they should. Adding more insulation to your home can improve your
comfort and lower your energy bills. It’s just as important to make sure everything in your home is well-
sealed. Gaps around windows and doors, as well as between your home’s floors, may be letting that
expensive warm air sneak out. Caulking, weatherstripping, and other strategies can lead to big savings.
Install new doors and windows
Thought about refreshing the look (and value) of your home? Few things spruce up a home as much as
new doors and windows. Upgrading to energy-efficient windows with double or triple glazing, low-E coatings, and gas-filled panes will keep your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer while
reducing your need for energy. If buying new windows isn’t possible, adding storm windows is a way to
improve energy efficiency. Another great reason to improve your doors and windows is that you’ll be able
to eliminate some of the drafts in your Greenwood home.
Take advantage of today’s technology
It doesn’t take a big investment to bring the benefits of today’s energy-efficient technology to your home.
Start with one of today’s smart thermostats, which make it much easier to take control of your home’s
comfort and expenses. You can set the thermostat to reduce energy use by not heating or cooling as much
when nobody’s home. Other smart home systems can monitor your energy use, so you’ll be able to spot
opportunities to use less.
Use simple strategies
Want to lower your air conditioning bills? Close your shades and drapes. By keeping the bright sunlight
out of your home (especially when it’s unoccupied), you’ll keep the temperatures lower, so the AC won’t
have to work as hard to hold the right temperature. Planting shade trees and similar strategies can also
help.
Turn to the energy experts
Have questions about how much energy you’re using … and how you can use less? You’ll get great
information and advice from a name your neighbors have trusted for years: Johnson Comfort. They’ll
examine your home and systems and recommend solutions that can save a lot of money without
compromising your comfort. Why not call them today?
