Did you know that Massachusetts was named the most energy-efficient state in the U.S. for 9 years in a row as of 2019? (And we were Number 2 in 2020!) Every year, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) rates states on their energy-efficiency efforts, and Massachusetts has continued to remain toward the top of that list.
While strategic plans and initiatives such as the Mass Save® program have had a big hand in the state’s success, residents like you are the ones participating and doing your part right from your own homes.
Be a part of making Massachusetts greener than the year before and check out these 7 ways to save energy at home. The following tips are presented by HomeWorks Energy, a Mass Save® partner that Green Needham works with to promote home energy assessments.
Get a Home Energy Assessment
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) suggests that you get a home energy assessment, which can tell you a lot about how your home consumes and loses energy. HomeWorks Energy offers no-cost virtual and in-person home energy assessments, and they’re a Mass Save® partner, which means that you get access to generous rebates and no-cost items such as energy-efficient showerheads and a programmable thermostat.
Adjusting Water Heater Temp
Did you know that water heaters are the second highest source of energy use in the home? According to energy.gov, water heating accounts for 15-25% of your home’s energy use. You can still enjoy nice, warm showers and save energy and money by turning down the temperature on your water heater’s thermostat to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Here is an instructional video from the U.S. DOE that shows how easy it is to save.
Insulating Your Attic
“The attic is one of the places where you often find the biggest air leaks, which can increase your energy bills and make you uncomfortably hot in summer and cold in winter,” says energystar.gov. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that “homeowners can save an average of 15% on heating and cooling costs (or an average of 11% on total energy costs) by air sealing their homes and adding insulation in attics.” With the Mass Save® program, you can get a discount of 75-100% off approved insulation when you complete a Home Energy Assessment.
Turn Everything Off
Did you know that leaving a computer on all day can cost about 21 cents/day, or about $75/year? Making sure that your TVs, computers, and video game consoles are switched off or unplugged when you’re not using them can help you save energy and money. The Natural Resources Defense Council suggests plugging your electronic devices into a smart power strip to make it easier to switch off when not in use. Don’t rush to the store just yet; the Mass Save® program offers smart power strips to eligible Massachusetts residents at no-cost. All you have to do is sign up for a no-cost Home Energy Assessment!
Plan Your Spring Projects
A well-landscaped yard can be more than aesthetically pleasing; when done right, it can save you energy and money. “Carefully positioned trees can save up to 25% of the energy a typical household uses,” says the U.S. DOE. If you’re worried about the investment cost of adding trees and shrubs to your yard, know that “a well-designed landscape saves enough energy to pay for itself in less than 8 years.” Check out more information here about landscaping to save energy from the U.S. DOE.
Weatherize Your Home
Weatherizing your home is a great place to start, especially if you feel like your home is drafty. The U.S. DOE says that air leaks are among the greatest sources of energy loss in a home. Sealing your air leaks can make your home more comfortable during every season and can help you save energy and money. By sealing your home’s air leaks, you can save 10-20% on heating and cooling costs, according the U.S. DOE. Did you know that home energy experts check all of this for you during a Mass Save® Home Energy Assessment?
Switch to Energy-Saving Lights
According to the U.S. DOE, lighting makes up about 10% of home energy costs. Did you know that only about 10-15% of the electricity that incandescent lights consume results in light and the rest is turned into heat? On the other hand, energy-saving LED lightbulbs use 95% of their energy as light, says the Consumer Energy Alliance. With a Mass Save® Home Energy Assessment, a home energy expert will replace your incandescent bulbs with LED light bulbs at no-cost!
Being a good steward of the environment starts at home with ideas that are affordable or at no-cost to you! To take advantage of the ways that the Mass Save® program is helping local residents save, scheduling a no-cost Home Energy Assessment is the first step! Click here to set up your virtual or in-person assessment with HomeWorks Energy, or call 781-305-3319 to save your spot over the phone. Do your part and help Massachusetts remain the greenest place to live in the country.
