Spring has finally sprung in central Virginia, and we’re excited to move on after the last few snowy months. But, a prolonged school year isn’t our only headache from our the winter-that-wouldn’t-quit. Many folks will be dealing with the hangover of high energy bills for months to come, which makes this the perfect time to put “fix energy issues” atop your home improvement list.
Regardless of which approach is right for you, most homeowners just need a little help figuring out how to get started. There is a common misconception that solving comfort and high energy bill problems is pretty simple – just replace some windows or lay down some additional insulation in the attic, right? Unfortunately, homeowners who undertake their quest for savings and comfort without a map often fail to achieve optimal results.
For Dominion Virginia Power customers, a great place to start is with a Home Energy Check-up available through a rate-payer funded program. From this low-cost, 90-minute visit, you get a sense of your trouble spots and which fixes should be tackled first. When you’re ready to get to work, LEAP recommends that you enroll your home in the Department of Energy’s Home Performance with ENERGY STAR (HPwES) program for the peace of mind and certification it provides.
Home appliances like dishwater, refrigerators and laundry machine account for about 15% of a household’s energy use, and ENERGY STAR versions are 20% more efficient.
Most homeowners are concerned that a Home Energy Makeover is unaffordable. In many cases, rebates, local incentives, and/or PowerSaver loans available through UVA Community Credit Union can help. Regardless of how you proceed, rest assured – an energy efficient home is worth it.
Lower energy bills are worth it. Homeowners in the HPwES program typically see energy savings of 20% or more.
A higher home value is worth it. Increasingly, homeowners are seeing their home value jump after certified home energy improvements — like HPwES. Indeed, according to a study by the National Association of Home Builders, 90% of people believe that energy efficiency is important when buying or selling a home. The same study found that 72% say that energy efficient features would sway their decision to purchase a home, and 61% would be willing to pay $5,000 up front in order to save on utility costs later.
LEAP has new services to help sellers get fair market value for high performing, energy efficient homes, including the Appraisal Institute’s Green and Energy Efficient Appraisal Addendum and a Home Performance Certificate.
Whether you’re in the market to buy or sell or if you’ve already found your forever home, as you thaw out this spring think about a home energy makeover to get more health, comfort, savings and value out of your home.