For this year's annual ENERGYSTAR Day Energy Saver is highlighting ENERGY STAR Home Upgrade. This set of six high-impact improvements are designed to work together to deliver significant energy and cost savings. These upgrades can also help you transition from fossil fuels for a cleaner, healthier, and more comfortable home. What’s more, you can choose the improvements that make the most sense for your home and implement them as equipment is replaced.
Clean Heating and Cooling
Switching to an ENERGY STAR certified heat pump can help you save energy and money during both hot and cold months. More efficient than furnaces or boilers, heat pumps serve double duty with heating and cooling, making this investment pay off year-round.
Super-Efficient Water Heater
Your water heater is the second-highest energy user in your home, using use about 20% of a home’s energy. By switching to an ENERGY STAR certified high efficiency water heater with heat pump technology, you’ll use 70% less energy and save over $300 every year.
Smart Thermostat
For the average American household, almost half the annual energy bill goes to heating and cooling - more than $900 a year. While a smart thermostat itself doesn’t use much energy, it is an important upgrade because it controls equipment that uses a lot of energy for heating and cooling. Being smart about how you control your temperature settings will help you save money and stay comfortable in your home.
Well-Insulated and Sealed Attic
Making sure your attic is well-sealed and properly insulated is one of the most important things you can do to reduce the air leaks that contribute to energy waste and make your home less comfortable. By properly sealing and insulating your attic, you can improve the comfort of your home while saving up to 10% on your annual energy bills.
High-Performing Windows or Storm Windows
ENERGY STAR certified windows save you energy and money while improving home comfort. Replacing old, drafty windows with ENERGY STAR certified windows lowers household energy bills by an average of 12%. Further, low-emissivity, or low-e glass coatings on many ENERGY STAR certified windows also reduce UV sun damage to floors, carpets, and furniture.
Electric-Ready
Finally, you can prepare for these upgrades as well as EV charging by making sure your home is electric-ready. Even if you’re not planning on making these upgrades immediately, you can work with your electrician to make sure your electric panel can accommodate any additional electric loads.
Visit energystar.gov/homeupgrade to learn more about these six high-impact home improvements, buying guidance, help with installation, and big incentives like rebates and tax credits.
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