Taking Energy Efficient Measures Now Can Loosen Winter’s Grip on Your Home, Wallet

(PHILADELPHIA - December 4, 2014) -- If this winter is anything like last year's, brace yourself for some high heating bills again. One way to lessen the squeeze on your wallet is by taking steps to make your home more energy efficient. The E.P.A.'s ENERGY STAR plan offers energy and money-saving changes people can begin to make today.

Homeowners can start out by using ENERGY STAR's Home Energy Yardstick, a free online home energy efficiency assessment tool. With information on the last twelve months of utility bills, the home's square footage, and ZIP code, the Yardstick will tell a homeowner how their home's energy efficiency compares with similar homes on a 1-10 scale (with ten being the most efficient).

The Yardstick provides insights into how much of a home's energy use is related to heating and cooling versus other uses like appliances, lighting, and hot water. It also provides links to guidance on how to increase your home's score, enhance comfort, and lower utility bills. The Yardstick will even estimate your home's yearly carbon emissions.

Next, ENERGY STAR's Home Advisor takes this concept further and creates a profile of a home's energy efficiency features as well as providing a prioritized list of energy-saving recommendations customized for an individual home.

For homeowners who want to invest in a home energy audit, there are certified home energy auditors who use specialized equipment to pinpoint key areas for improvement and provide customized solutions.

Homeowners can also contact their local utilities and/or state energy office to see if they provide free or subsidized energy audits.

Winter can be a bone-chilling season, but you can escape the cold in your energy efficient home thanks to ENERGY STAR recommendations. For more information and other helpful suggestions, visit: www.energystar.gov .

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