Looking for Efficiency in Home Design and Remodels

LOOKING FOR EFFICIENCY OPPORTUNITIES IN HOME DESIGN AND REMODELS

Submitted by Sean Welsh, Resource Educator and Community Energy Advisor

Over the last two years there has been a lot of activity in the home improvement sector. In line with the uptick in work on homes, energy costs have also risen. With the rise in costs, the opportunity that a home remodel offers to bring more energy efficiency into a building can lower bills over time. Often the energy efficiency aspect of a home improvement project will not be the main impetus behind the work. Looking for the energy efficiency work that can be optimized will help the home occupants drive down utility and fuel costs. Working with an energy efficiency contractor to ensure that a home improvement project can help the home become more comfortable, more affordable and provide a healthier indoor air environment will help home owners make the most of the project. To connect with a contractor or home energy auditor, reach out the Community Energy Advisor Sean Welsh at sw288@cornell. edu. Energy efficiency work also helps homes become ready for installing more energy efficiency, money saving, heating and cooling equipment such as heat pumps. Not all homes are heat pump ready, so looking for opportunities to make a home as insulated and air sealed as possible can be a right step in the direction of adding new heating and cooling equipment. NYS electric utilities offer rebates and discounts on items like programmable thermostats and appliances in individual electric utility online stores, helping contribute to a home improvement project with more long term energy savings. The United States Department of Energy Energy Saver | Department of Energy offers some resources for homeowners to look at when considering a home renovation. Encouraging consumers to look at the “whole house systems approach” considering the different working systems of a home and how they can work best together. While renters are not going to be able to tackle a large renovation to improve the efficiency of a rental, low cost and no cost energy efficiency strategies like door sweeps, adding no peel caulking, gaskets and weather stripping can help reduce drafts and save money. Renters can also reach out to Sean Welsh to see if they are eligible for NYS program opportunities for home energy audits, insulation and air sealing upgrades. As a reminder any readers who have received the HEAP benefit for 2021 can connect with Sean to discuss funding for heat pumps or getting their homes heat pump ready. To connect with Sean Welsh, Resource educator and community energy advisor you can email him at sw288@ cornell.edu or give him a call at 845 292-6180 ext. 127. He can talk with you about any programs you may be eligible for and discuss how to access different programs.

Source: “Whole-house Systems Approach.” Energy.gov. Accessed May 10, 2022. https://www. energy.gov/energysaver/ whole-house-systems-approach.