Have you noticed that your energy bills have started to climb? If so, you’re not alone. Massachusetts homeowners’ energy bills climbed more than 30% within the past two years. Learn how a home energy assessment will help you start saving.
What is an energy audit?
An energy audit is all about saving your money. Not only is it no cost to you, but its main focus is to save you a bundle on your utility bills. The program is sponsored by Mass Save, a government and utility company-funded program that encourages Massachusetts residents to make homes and businesses more energy-efficient. That’s right – you pay nothing out of pocket nor are you pressured to purchase anything once your assessment is complete. When you schedule your home energy assessment, an experienced technician (i.e. an energy expert) will come to your home to assess your current energy usage and how you can make your home more energy-efficient. The entire process lasts about an hour, and the technician will go from room to room to explain where your home is wasting energy.
Energy experts are not one-trick ponies. They carefully test your heating equipment to make sure it’s running as efficiently and as safely as possible. Infrared testing uses thermal imaging to tell where your home is losing the most energy. Problem areas often include attics, doors, and windows. Did you know that American households waste $25 billion dollars a year on heating through window air leaks? A blower door test can be performed to see where these leaks are occurring and seal the leaks on the spot.
Energy-saving swag
No red carpet treatment is complete without a swag bag. Your home energy expert will have a bunch of prizes that will help you save energy all around the house. Do you find yourself spending a small fortune on hot water every month? Don’t worry, your technician has you covered. For example, they can help install low-flow shower heads, faucet aerators, and insulation around your hot water pipes. These measures will help cut down on water usage and prevent your hot water heater from working so hard. Is your family is guilty of forgetting to shut the lights off when someone leaves the room? Lessen the financial blow by installing more energy-efficient bulbs. Did you know that by just replacing a few incandescent light bulbs around the house can save you up to $75 per year? Your technician can both provide you with and help install no-cost compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) or LED bulbs around your home.
Loans, rebates, incentives…oh my!
Once you have a home energy assessment, you may qualify for some of Mass Save’s rebates and incentives. Are you panicking because that sounds like a lot of paperwork? Not to worry. Your energy technician will be there to help. Wattson Home Solutions’ energy saving experts will provide you with a report once your assessment is complete, and will help you navigate Mass Save. There are dozens of different rebates that will help you with any type of energy efficiency project, including insulation and heating. It’s very important to make sure these two aspects are in tip-top shape because heating costs make up a shocking 59% of energy costs during the winter. Some of our favorite Mass Save rebates include a 75% instant rebate for insulation (up to $2,000) and a 0% HEAT lean for 7 years (up to $25,000).
Ready…set…
If you’re itching to set up an appointment for your no-cost energy assessment, hold on one more minute. You want to make sure that the person you’re inviting into your home is a reputable energy auditor. Check reviews on Angie’s List, HomeAdvisor or Yelp, and check whether they’re BBB-accredited. Once you schedule an appointment, make sure you have the following information on hand:
- Examples of existing problems (e.g. drafty living room)
- Copies of your yearly energy bills
- Average thermostat settings during the summer and winter
Are you searching for an energy assessment company that you can trust? Wattson Home Solutions is a Mass Save partner and our energy experts have years of experience under their belts. Don’t take our word for it. Check out what people have to save on Facebook and Angie’s List. Like what you see? Schedule your no-cost energy assessment with Wattson Home Solutions today!
