Four simple ways to make your home more energy-efficient

Energy efficiency has become an essential part of the solution to help people control their energy costs and mitigate climate change. This is true whether at home or at work—one-in-the same these days, for many of us!  

 An increased awareness of techniques and technologies to help us reduce energy use are contributing to trends like passive homes and net-zero energy building goals. The following four offerings are part of  the ratepayer-funded Mass Save® program, most at little to no-cost, and can make a substantial difference over the lifetime of a home.

1) Insulation & air sealing

Insulation is the number one way to save energy in a home, making the home more comfortable in both winter and summer. Many older homes in New England lack comprehensive insulation in the walls, attic, and basement. While there are many types of insulation that can be used, one of the most common and cost-effective methods is blown-in cellulose.

Cellulose insulation is an environmentally-friendly material made from recycled paper, is less expensive to install, and offers a higher R-value (rating scale for insulation performance) than other insulation types like fiberglass or rockwool.

Targeted spray foam seals corners and gaps to stop air drafts. Air sealing is commonly used in basements to stop air infiltration and in attics to minimize warm air from escaping.

Customers of National Grid, Eversource, or Columbia Gas—the electric and natural gas utilities who sponsor the program—may have a home energy assessment provided at no-cost every three years.  **Book your assessment before the end of September, Mass Save® is covering 100% off approved insulation.**

Appliances can be some of the biggest energy hogs in the home. Fortunately, new ENERGY STAR®appliances are substantially more efficient than older models, often with even more features and improved performance. Rebates through the Mass Save® program make it easy to make the switch. The Mass Save® Program gives $75 and free removal of a refrigerator being replaced with anENERGY STAR®refrigerator (for a limited time, $125). Other rebates include air conditioners, humidifiers, washers and dryers, and air purifiers. Ask HomeWorks Energy how you can get your rebates, today!

3) Water-Saving Devices

Home Energy Assessments and no-cost equipment offered through the Mass Save® program include aerators for the bathroom and kitchen sinks, as well as water-saving showerheads, both standard and handheld types. Sink aerators reduce water use from around 2.5 gallons per minute, or GPM, to 1.5 GPM, while the showerheads use 1.7 GPM. These showerheads offer surprisingly high pressure for a water saving device! Because water heating can be a major source of energy consumption, less wasted water is not only good for the Earth, it can drive down your energy and water bills. 

4) LED lights

One of easiest changes a homeowner can make is to switch to LED lights. LEDs offer much higher efficiency and a longer life-span especially in comparison to incandescent bulbs, while the traditional Edison bulb takes 60 watts, a comparable LED bulb comes in at only 9 watts, making them 85% more efficient. These bulbs are included at no-cost as part of a home energy assessment in the Mass Save® program, a new LED bulb will be provided to replace every incandescent in the house, whether it’s the candle light in the fridge, the 3-way bulbs in the living room, or the outdoor flood lights.

These options, and many more, are available through the Mass Save® state program. C-10 Research and Education Foundation is partnering with HomeWorks Energy, the largest certified partner of the Mass Save® program, to spread the word and help Massachusetts residents reduce their carbon footprint and save money. For every energy assessment performed through this partnership, HomeWorks will also make a donation to C-10. Schedule today at homeworksenergy.com/neighbors/c-10 or call 781-528-0822. Make sure to mention C-10 when you call, or enter C-10 in the reference code if signing up online!

Home Energy Assessments can now be conducted virtually so that people can take advantage of the program from the comfort of their home. Qualifying items such as LED bulbs, water saving devices, and programmable thermostats are mailed afterwards at no-cost. At a later date, an in-home walk-through may be performed to assist with installing these items and to confirm measurements and job scope if insulation measures were recommended. At HomeWorks Energy, we take safety and public health very seriously, assuring that we wear full Personal Protective Equipment, and follow all safety guidelines.