Efficiency PA: Saving Energy at Home

Western PA

Congrats to the Green Home Hero Award
Winners at the 2011 Allegheny County Green &
Innovation Festival!

Ways to save energy now

In-Home Visit

Identify the issues surrounding your home's air sealing, insulation and heating equipment that impact your energy use, comfort and safety with a visit from one of Pennsylvania’s certified home energy professionals.

Air Sealing

Contrary to popular belief, fiberglass insulation does not stop air from blowing into or out of the house. Accordingly, nearly one-third of air leakage takes place through openings in your ceilings, walls, and floors.

Insulation

Adding insulation offers one of the largest paybacks for PA homes in terms of rapid energy savings. Be sure to check our safety tips before scheduling installation.

Windows

Give your air conditioner a break and greatly reduce your energy bill by installing light-colored window shades, drapes, or blinds to reflect heat away from the house.

Heating and Furnaces

Heating and cooling systems should be an area of integration. An energy efficient home comes full-circle when it uses an energy-efficient system combined with proper insulation, functional thermostats, and appropriate air sealing.

Lighting

One of the most effective and fastest ways to lower your energy bills is introducing new lighting technologies into your household..

Cooling

Even in Pennsylvania, summer heat can be overwhelming, and so can be electric bills inflamed by the constant use of the air conditioner. Helpful ideas include planting trees.

Appliances

Learn simple ways to improve efficiency around your house, incuding how EnergyStar appliances can cut energy use, as well as how you can save energy with your other electronics.

Renewable Energy

The easiest way to tap into these renewable energies is by selecting wind or solar as your source for electricity generation. If this is not possible, like in Western PA, direct solar and wind power for your home are still options.

Home energy professionals make house calls.

While the field of do-it-yourself home energy software is getting better every day, nothing replaces a visit from a certified home energy professional who will use special diagnostic techniques, including a blower door test, to identify the best ways to save energy in your home.

Do the work yourself or hire a good contractor.

Using the energy assessment report as your guide, decide what to do yourself and when to hire someone else. For an extra measure of comfort, look for companies or professionals with advanced training and certification from the Building Performance Institute (BPI) or the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET).

Take advantage of rebates and financing.

In Pennsylvania, there are a multitude of rebates and low interest loans available. Check Keystone Home Energy Loan Program (HELP) and many utility programs. Every dollar invested will come back many times in the form of energy savings, increased value of your home and a cleaner environment.

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