The energy efficiency of the home can be improved by upgrading, or retrofitting, any component which uses energy. Energy retrofits can reduce operating costs and improve the comfort and health of a home. The amount of options may seem daunting, but there are many resources to help reduce energy use. Also, a professional or do-it-yourself audit is the best place to start.
Energy audits are detailed building energy-use examinations that identify which systems are operating inefficiently – basically a check-up for the things that use or save energy in a home. Professional audits include a financial analysis aimed at identifying cost-effective energy efficiency measures for a building. Homeowners can also perform a self-assessment to help prioritize upgrades.
Home Energy Auditing
Understand what an audit is, explained by the U.S. Department of Energy.
Home Energy Assessment
A checklist for a do-it-yourself home energy audit, created by Energy Upgrade California.
Refrigerators, washers and dryers, dishwashers, stoves, ovens, televisions, computers, and mobile devices all use energy and contribute to the monthly energy bill. How consumers use these appliances impacts the amount of energy they consume.
Energy Saving Product Finder
ENERGY STAR certified products are efficient and can help lower energy bills. Find nearby ENERGY STAR certified product details, rebates, and retailers.
Rebates and Incentives
When upgrading to the latest energy efficient technologies, many utilities offer a variety of rebates. Use this tool by Energy Upgrade California to search rebates and incentives by zip code.
The building envelope is what separates the outside of a building from the inside – the roof, walls, windows, floor, and doors that lead outside. The efficiency of a house is dependent on how well the building envelope is insulated.
Insulation is measured by R-value, the higher the number, the better the insulation performs. There are four basic types of insulation in residential buildings:
- Batt and blanket
- Loose-fill
- Spray polyurethane foam (SPF)
- Rigid insulation
In addition to insulation, simply filling the visible gaps in the envelope of a house will be beneficial to lowering energy use. Check around windows, doors, vents, and openings for plumbing and electricity. All breaches in the building envelope should be sealed, caulked, or weather-stripped to increase the efficiency of a house and reduce energy bills.
Insulation
How insulation works and a brief explanation of materials by the U.S. Department of Energy.
Insulation and Air Sealing
Resources from Energy Upgrade California on insulation, air sealing, and weatherization.
Upgrading lighting is another inexpensive and easy way to increase energy efficiency and save money. Replacing old incandescent bulbs with ENERGY STAR certified light fixtures will have a significant impact. Energy efficient light bulbs are just as bright as the older generation, but they generate less heat and require less energy to use.
Utilizing controls like dimmers, timers, or sensors to either switch lights off or lower them to efficient levels will also reduce energy use.
How Energy-Efficient Light Bulbs Compare with Traditional Incandescents
Created by the U.S. Department of Energy, learn more about lighting options and how different types of bulbs use energy.
Lighting and Fans
An ENERGY STAR guide to lighting.
HVAC is one of the biggest home energy expenses. But a quality, correctly installed, and routinely maintained unit provides a comfortable and healthy environment for the occupants. When not installed or sized correctly, an HVAC system can cause drafts, degrade the performance of the system, reduce efficiency, and have a negative effect on the wellbeing of the occupants.
When replacing a system, be sure to hire a licensed contractor who will properly permit all the work through the local building department. In California, when an HVAC unit is replaced or altered, a permit is required to ensure it meets the building code requirements.
As part of the installation costs, the contractor will seal and test the ducts and a third-party Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Rater will address any construction defects and equipment installation, including leakage amounts of the duct system.
Hiring a contractor to install an HVAC without a permit could cost more in the long run, open the consumer up to insurance liability, and possibly reduce the value of the property.
Find a Licensed Contractor
Get a list of licensed contractors in any area of California maintained by the California Department of Consumer Affairs Contractors State License Board.
Find a HERS Provider
HERS providers are approved by the California Energy Commission (CEC) to train and certify raters. Providers maintain a database of raters who are qualified to verify the work of a licensed HVAC contractor.
Air Conditioners and Home Cooling
Resources from Energy Upgrade California on energy efficient air conditioners and home cooling.
Home Heating
Resources from Energy Upgrade California on tips to lower home heating costs.
For information on Building Energy Efficiency Standards contact the CECs energy hotline:
Toll-free in California: 800-772-3300
Outside California: 916-654-5106
The average life of a water heater is about 10 to 15 years, depending on the type and how well it is maintained. Water heating accounts for about 15 percent of a home’s energy use, but it could be higher or lower depending on several factors.
Short of replacing a water heater, a homeowner can do few things to make their unit more efficient. Energy use can be reduced by lowering the temperature set point, insulating hot water pipes, and maintaining the water heater.
When it is time to replace the water heater, consider the size, fuel type, and efficiency. The size, or capacity, must be large enough to meet the needs of the occupants, but not so large that it adds unnecessary expense. There are three fuel types – gas, electric, and solar – to consider. An ENERGY STAR water heater is more efficient than a standard model and can save the consumer a lot of money in the long term.
Tips Lowering Heating Bills
Energy Upgrade California provides tips to lower heating bills.
ENERGY STAR Certified Water Heaters
A list of ENERGY STAR water heaters. Check local stores for models because not all products are available for sale or installation in California.
Replacing windows is one of the most expensive upgrades to make but, they can also be the home’s biggest energy saving feature. The savings depend on the size, framing, orientation, quality of installation, and the performance rating of the window.
Windows are rated for their energy efficiency performance based on factors including frame type, number of panes, coating type, air leakage, and light transmittance. In simple terms, a window is rated on how well it can retain the heat inside the house, how well it can block heat from entering, and how much light it lets pass. These properties are measured by the solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) and U-factor.
Windows sold in California are required to be certified by the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC). Look for the NFRC label on the window for the listed energy performance of that product.
Energy Performance Ratings For Windows, Doors, and Skylights
An explanation of labeling, heat gains and losses, and sunlight transmittance by the U.S. Department of Energy.
Reading an NFRC Label
Find out what the NFRC label says about the energy of a window or door.
Once an energy audit has been performed and the homeowner knows which upgrades to start with, the next steps are to find the right person for the job, find any local rebates, and figure out how to pay for it.
Energy professionals such as engineers, auditors, and building energy consultants may help optimize efficiency improvements and streamline the project process. The CEC does not endorse any of the professionals found in the external resources below.
Find a Licensed Contractor
Get a list of licensed contractors in any area of California maintained by the California Department of Consumer Affairs Contractors State License Board.
Find a HERS Provider
HERS providers are approved by the California Energy Commission (CEC) to train and certify raters. Providers maintain a database of raters who are qualified to verify the work of a licensed HVAC contractor.
Utilities, Community Choice Aggregators, and Regional Energy Networks may offer a variety of incentives, such as product rebates and financing programs to encourage investment in energy efficiency.
Rebates and Incentives
When upgrading to the latest energy efficient technologies, many utilities offer a variety of rebates. Use this tool by Energy Upgrade California to search rebates and incentives by zip code.
Explore the financing options provided by state, federal, and local governments to help fund energy efficiency improvements.
ENERGY STAR Rebate Finder
Find rebates on ENERGY STAR certified products by zip code.
Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE)
The PACE program is a financing mechanism that enables low-cost, long-term funding for energy efficiency, renewable energy, and water conservation projects that are repaid as an assessment on the property’s tax bill.
Residential Energy Efficiency Loan (REEL) Program
The REEL program is designed to help California homeowners and renters’ access competitive financing solutions for their energy efficiency projects.