How to Take Your Home into the Clean Energy Future

ABC’s Good Morning America recently highlighted how anyone can make energy choices that count by taking on an ENERGY STAR Home Upgrade. Check out the video to see how it changed one family’s life and keep on reading to see how it can help your family take energy savings to a whole new level.

Introducing the ENERGY STAR Home Upgrade

The ENERGY STAR Home Upgrade is a set of six high-impact, energy-efficiency improvements for your home. These upgrades are designed to work together to deliver significant energy and cost savings. They can also help you transition from fossil fuels to a cleaner, healthier, and more comfortable home. On average, a household could save about $500 a year on utility bills with a full ENERGY STAR Home Upgrade.

So, what does the ENERGY STAR Home Upgrade include?

• Clean and efficient heating and cooling with an air source heat pump: For the average American household, almost half the annual energy bill goes to heating and

cooling—more than $900 a year. Significantly more efficient than furnaces and boilers, an ENERGY STAR certified air source heat pump will help you save energy and money all year long. Bonus: heat pumps serve double duty with heating and cooling, making this an investment that counts throughout the year.

• Super-efficient hot water with a heat pump water heater:

Your water heater is the second-highest energy user in your home. An ENERGY STAR certified heat pump water heater uses 70% less energy on average and can help a family of four save over $400 per year. *Compared to a standard electric water heater.

• Getting smart about your temperature settings by using a smart thermostat:

A certified smart thermostat will learn your family’s preferences for heating and cooling without you having to lift a finger. It then adjusts the temperature throughout the day to fit your needs, saving you energy. Families with high energy bills can save $100 per year using a smart thermostat.

• Installing high-performing windows and storm windows:

ENERGY STAR certified windows save you energy and money while providing comfort and performance. Replacing old, drafty windows with ENERGY STAR certified windows lowers household energy bills by a national average of 12 percent.

• Sealing and insulating your attic:

Nine out of 10 homes in the U.S. are under-insulated. Sealing air leaks and adding insulation to your attic can help you be more comfortable at home while saving up to 10% on your annual energy bills.

• Making your home electric vehicle charger ready:

The future of transportation is electric, so even if you don’t plan on getting an EV right away, there are things you can do now to make your home electric vehicle ready. Installing the necessary wiring at your house will help you prepare for this change to a cleaner, cheaper transportation fuel. If you do purchase an EV, look for an ENERGY STAR certified charger to save on energy bills.

There are ENERGY STAR Home Upgrade actions at every investment level, helping families pace the replacement of products on a schedule that works for them. And when you are ready to make an upgrade, there are significant tax incentives (up to $300 on some products) and utility rebates (up to $1,000 in some cases) to help families offset the cost. There are also utility programs that provide lower-income families with the opportunity to install upgrades at no upfront cost and with savings from day one.

The ENERGY STAR Home Upgrade is the perfect way for families across the country to make their homes more energy efficient and sustainable. Taking action now can help you prepare for a clean energy future while enjoying energy savings and a more comfortable home today.

Getting started with an ENERGY STAR Home Upgrade is simple. Just head to ENERGYSTAR.gov/homeupgrade for everything you need, including tips and resources to help you tailor energy-efficient upgrades to your home, along with links to rebate opportunities and local contractors.