Your savings can come from surprising places…again and again and again

5 Savings Surprises

1. Your attic is driving up your energy consumption.

   Unfinished attics are a major source of lost energy. The simple act of sealing HVAC ductwork in your attic can save up to 20% of your heated and cooled air a year.* If your GoingGreen Audit reveals inadequate insulation, we can also get you up to the optimal level with blown-in cellulose or spray foam insulation. And don’t forget recessed lighting fixtures that go up into your attic. If improperly sealed and insulated, they let heated air escape your rooms in the winter and allow hot air into air-conditioned rooms during the summer.

2. It may be your thermostat, not your furnace.

   A new programmable thermostat can easily squeeze $180/year* in savings out of your current HVAC system. It’s a great example of how careful measurements and thoughtful solutions can keep down the costs of making green enhancements. If the GoingGreen Auditmakes a case for an upgraded HVAC system, we can install high-efficiency ENERGY STAR-rated equipment that’s up to 15% more efficient* than older systems.

3. You can get better windows without replacing them.

   Windows look like the likeliest place to lose heated or cooled air. But you have many alternatives that are much less expensive than replacing them. New caulk, weather stripping and other maintenance can all extend the life of your current windows for decades…and yield many of the same savings you’d expect from all-new windows.

4. Hot water may be costing you 50% too much.

   There’s huge green potential in efficiently heating water. The simplest step is to insulate your current hot water heater. If it’s time for a replacement, new ENERGY STAR-rated models save you from $30–$290 a year* depending on the kind of system you choose. A tankless system can cut costs by 30%.* Solar hot water heaters can cut your annual indoor costs in half*—and a solar heating system for your in-ground pool is an excellent way to eliminate an energy-guzzling system.

5. Reducing water flow is no sacrifice.

   Today’s WaterSense plumbing fixtures can reduce your water consumption and costs dramatically—even without a major change in your lifestyle. Low-flush toilets save 4,000 gallons of water a year†compared to older fixtures. The latest faucets reduce flow by more than 30%.† Front-loading washers use 40% less water.*

Tax credits and low-interest loans.

Tax credits are available for many energy and water conservation projects. In addition, low-interest loans may be obtained for greenimprovements to your home. See the websites below and consult your tax advisor for details.

Federal: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=products.pr_tax_credits

Maryland: http://www.energy.state.md.us/incentives/residential/index.asp

Virginia: http://www.deq.virginia.gov/p2/vise/financial.html

Washington DC: http://green.dc.gov/green/cwp/view,a,1244,q,461324.asp

* Source: www.energystar.gov
† Source: www.epa.gov/watersense