As winter approaches, homes can start to remind us of their quirks and struggles. Cold leaks, ice dams, and high energy bills are just a few examples that homeowners face as the weather becomes colder. The Eco3 Energy Team can help you learn more about your home and teach you ways to save energy and money.
Sign up for a home energy assessment to learn more about your home! Our current home assessment includes:
- Measuring where air may be leaking in your home with a blower door test
- Using temperature-sensing infrared cameras to find cold spots
- Analyzing how well your heating and cooling systems are running
- Measuring how efficient your appliances are
- Looking over your energy usage to find ways to save money
- Providing small improvements that help your home save energy
- Providing a detailed report after the assessment with home improvement suggestions, and how those improvements will help you save money
It is important for everyone to have access to the information to make their home as efficient and comfortable as possible. That’s why we offer our services for free, along with the potential for additional weatherization if needed, to individuals who meet our Income Qualifications. For those who do not meet our income guidelines, we offer an out-of-pocket option with the potential to save with rebates from local utilities. Otherwise, Minnesota Power has a process to get scheduled for a free, smaller home assessment through their Home Energy Support Program.
Here are examples of energy conservation and energy efficiency changes you can make to save money and energy:
Energy Conservation Tips:
- Turn off the lights when you leave a room
- Take shorter showers
- Keep the thermostat at lower temperatures in cooler weather
- Unplug devices and small appliances after you are done using them
- Wash clothes in cold water and air-dry when possible
- Put up plastic window kits on windows in cooler weather
- Keep the lids on pots and pans while cooking
Energy Efficiency Tips:
- Change your light bulbs to energy-saving LED bulbs
- Install a smart thermostat to better control your heating and cooling
- Weatherize your home by sealing air leaks with caulk or weatherstripping, or adding insulation
- Purchase Energy Star-certified appliances that use less energy
- Install a heat pump or heat pump water heater to save on heating and hot water costs
- Use devices that run on solar power
- Get a home energy assessment to see where you can save energy and money
It’s important to start thinking about a home assessment and reach out soon. We schedule nearly all our assessments during the cold weather months since our infrared imaging gives us the best results with a 15-degree temperature difference or more from the inside to the outside. Our schedule fills up fast, so contact us soon!
Sign up for a home energy assessment, learn more about our home energy assessments, and always feel free to reach out to the energy team by phone at 218-203-1038 or email us at energy@ecolibrium3.org.