Help My House: Energy Makeover Part I

The Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina have a new campaign to lower energy use and power bills called “Help My House”. Seven people were selected statewide for up to $10,000 worth of energy makeovers in their home. Over the next several weeks we will be following along as Harry Hooker, of Saint George, receives upgrades to his 35 year old house.

This week experts are diagnosing problem areas and recommending where upgrades should occur.

Cutting energy usage doesn’t always have to be expensive. One of the easiest, cheapest and most effective ways is to make sure you home is properly sealed and insulated. Failing to seal cracks, gaps and holes can be comparable to leaving a window open year-round.
Key problem areas include light fixtures, electrical and plumbing penetrations, fans, stove hoods and attic doors.
After sealing, insulation is next important when alleviating heat transfer from the attic to the living area.
“If homeowners can go up into your attic and see that roof joists are exposed then their attic is not insulated properly,” said Jay Kirby with Santee Electric Cooperative.
An average insulation job costs around a thousand dollars. Tax credits are available for homeowners for up to 1500 hundred dollars or 30% of the job.

Upgrading the heating and air conditions is not always the most cost effective option for saving costs. It is important that you take preventative steps, such as having your unit serviced annually and changing filters monthly, so that you can make sure your HVAC runs as efficiently as possible.
Experts also recommend that you set your thermostat at 78 in the summer and 68 in the winter.

Click here for more energy saving tips:
http://www.counton2extras.com/index.php/ECSC/?site=CBD