D oes your home become uncomfortably warm on summer afternoons, or drafty in the winter? Have you been looking for ways to lower your energy bills?
If so, it’s time for a home energy upgrade, according to experts at the nonprofit Center for Sustainable Energy (CSE) and the experts at Chase Construction. Sealing air leakage and adding insulation can help lower home energy bills and keep indoor temperatures comfortable year-round.
“When you seal air leaks and insulate, it reduces the amount of heat penetrating or escaping from your home,” explains Chris Foster, a Home Energy Coach at CSE. “This means your air conditioner and furnace don’t have to work so hard.”
Replacing old ducts – which often leak 25-35% of a home’s conditioned air – can also help lower energy bills and reduce the amount of dust circulating in the home.
Incentives are available to help pay for upgrades. Through Energy Upgrade California™ Home Upgrade, homeowners can access rebates ranging from $1,000 to $6,500. Homeowners work with local participating contractors specially trained in home energy efficiency and subject to the program’s quality assurance standards. The rebates are not income qualified.
“We love hearing stories from homeowners after they’ve completed their upgrades,” says Foster. “They tell us, ‘I used to toss and turn all night, it was so hot upstairs.’ But after the upgrades, their family stays cool and comfortable throughout the summer and fall.”
San Diego-area homeowners have a unique opportunity to experience energy-efficient homes at free home tours around the county. For a list of upcoming events visit: EnergyCenter.org.
