If you live in Georgia, you experienced the unusual, biting cold around Christmas time. One day our downstairs didn’t even hit 60 degrees! Needless to say my motivation to figure out how to help make my home more energy efficient is high. Here are some things to consider:

1. Get your HVAC system serviced. This might seem obvious but with the business of life, it can sometimes be challenging to remember to do this when everything seems to be going well. Our capacitor was broken on our heat pump and our thermostat also needed to be replaced. It’s best to get these things figured out before you can almost see your breath in your house!

2. Consider using energy-efficient light bulbs, such as LED or compact fluorescent bulbs. These bulbs use less energy and last longer than traditional incandescent bulbs. In the summer they also don’t emit much heat which will help with your HVAC bill.

3. Install low-flow showerheads to reduce the amount of hot water used in your showers. I put this off for years because I was afraid it would affect my water pressure in the shower. However, they now make great ones for around $20 that have good water pressure and save both energy and water.

4. Seal and insulate your home to reduce drafts and keep the heat in during the winter and the cool air in during the summer. I’ve actually learned that insulating the attic is essential but you may not need to insulate an enclosed crawl space (you don’t want to trap moisture).

5. Consider upgrading to energy-efficient appliances, such as Energy Star-certified refrigerators, washing machines, and dishwashers. There are new tax credits that have been passed to financially incentivize you to upgrade these plus your HVAC system to a heat pump. Not only can you enjoy lower power bills and some of the bells and whistles of new appliances, but you recapture a chunk of the cost. For more information read, Residential Energy Tax Credits: Changes in 2023 and Tax Credits for Homeowners at Energystar.gov.

These tips should help you save some money each month while making your home more comfortable.