Air leaks allow conditioned air to escape your home and allow unconditioned exterior air to impact your home’s energy use. Upgrading insulation can be an important energy move, as many older homes are poorly insulated or have no insulation at all. Properly installed insulation in attics, walls, and floors provides for more even temperatures throughout the house and results in a quieter, more comfortable living environment that is less costly to heat and cool.

Windows and the space around windows naturally lose energy. The hole cut in the home’s exterior to place the window creates a vulnerable space in the home’s exterior. If not properly sealed or through shifting as a home ages, conditioned air can escape the home. Additionally, glass has one of the lowest energy values (also known as R-value) of any building material. Leaky panes or single pane windows could be recommended for replacement.

Similar to windows, the hole cut in a home’s exterior creates a point for energy loss. Through natural aging or improper installation, most doors benefit from air sealing. If the door is quite old, replacing the door may be recommended.

Many homes have leaky ductwork and poor airflow. This results in conditioned air not reaching its intended destination, but rather leaking into the basement or another area where having conditioned air is not a priority. Insulating ductwork in attics and crawl spaces as well as balancing the duct system to optimize airflow to all rooms can reduce energy usage and increase your home’s overall comfort.

Heating and cooling your home can account for up to 50% of your home’s energy use. Installed correctly, high-efficiency ENERGY STAR units can help you save on heating and cooling costs.

Energy used for lighting and appliances can account for 25% of your home’s total energy consumption. Upgrading with ENERGY STAR qualified products may be recommended to further reduce your energy consumption.