Home improvements save you money!

Planning a home improvement project this summer? Cass County Electric Cooperative can visit with you about the benefits of switching to electric heat. There are other home energy improvements that will save you money, too.

Add insulation

Add insulation to the attic, crawlspace and exterior walls. In conjunction with air sealing, this will keep your house cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Increasing your home’s insulation is one of the fastest and most cost-effective ways to reduce energy waste.

Use smart technology

Install and set programmable thermostats that save energy by automatically regulating your home’s temperature. You can save as much as 10% a year on your heating and cooling bills by simply turning your thermostat back 10% to 15% for eight hours.

Let the sunlight shine

Install more energy-efficient windows, doors and skylights. Air infiltrates into and out of your home through every hole and crack. About 20% of this air infiltrates through openings in your windows, doors and skylights.

Replace the lights

Install energy-efficient lighting. An average household dedicates 11% of its energy budget to lighting. Using new lighting technologies can reduce lighting energy use in your home by 50% to 75%.

Seal those leaks

Seal air leaks around floors, walls, ceilings, windows, doors and fireplaces with caulk, spray foam and weatherstripping. Warm air leaking into your home during the summer and out of your home during the winter can waste a lot of your energy dollars. The potential energy savings from reducing drafts in a home ranges from 5% to 30% per year, and the home is generally much more comfortable afterward.

Seal those ducts

Seal ducts and make sure they are straight and properly connected. Many duct systems are not insulated properly or have gaps or holes where air can leak out. You can lose up to 60% of your heated air before it reaches the register if your ducts are not insulated and they travel through unheated spaces, such as an attic or crawlspace.