Last summer was the hottest on record, and it doesn’t look like this one will be any cooler. That means a lot of us are going to be seeing higher energy costs as we crank up the air conditioning.
The good news is that there are practical improvements you can make to help your home stay cooler with less air conditioning, reducing your energy costs. And, a lot of those upgrades are eligible for rebates, incentives, and low-interest financing.
Here are our top summer energy efficiency tips to help you stay cool and save money.
1. Book Your Home Energy Solutions Assessment
If you haven’t had a Home Energy Solutions (HES) or Home Energy Solutions-Income Eligible (HES-IE) assessment, now is the perfect time. In one easy visit, our team will:
- Evaluate your home to determine where it’s wasting energy.
- Install energy-saving measures right on the spot, including air sealing.
- Recommend deeper energy efficiency improvements like insulation or new windows.
- Help you claim rebates for the improvements you decide to make.
An HES assessment is available to all residential customers of Eversource, UI, CNG, and SCG for a $75 co-pay. If you meet income eligibility requirements, you may qualify for a no-cost HES-IS assessment.
Most homeowners receive around $850 in energy-saving services and save $180 on their annual energy costs as a result.
2. Fix Leaky, Drafty Areas
You wouldn’t run your air conditioner with the windows wide open, right? That’s essentially what happens when your home has gaps and cracks around doors, windows, and other openings.
Professional air sealing, included in your HES/HES-IE visit, plugs those gaps to keep cool, conditioned air inside where it belongs. It’s one of the fastest and easiest ways to reduce your summer energy costs.
3. Upgrade Your Insulation (Especially in the Attic)
Insulation isn’t just a winter upgrade. Blown-in attic insulation is one of the most effective ways to block heat out during the summer.
When the sun beats down on your roof, that heat seeps into your attic. If your attic isn’t well-insulated, it will move right down into the rooms below, heating up your house and forcing your AC to work harder.
New England Smart Energy Group can help you upgrade your insulation and save with Energize Connecticut™ rebates. You may be eligible for up to $10,000 in insulation rebates. If you meet income requirements, you can get your insulation upgrade fully paid for.
4. Keep the Sun (and the Heat) Out
If you tend to leave the blinds open during the day, try closing them during peak sunlight hours, especially on south- and west-facing windows, to keep the heat out.
Don’t want to lose the light or your view? Consider replacing old windows. The energy efficient windows we install are insulated to keep heat out and have special coatings that block UV rays.
If you have single or double-pane windows, you could get a $100 rebate per window when upgrading to triple-pane windows. If you meet income requirements, your window replacement costs could be fully covered by Energize CT incentives.
5. Replace Window ACs with Ductless Heat Pumps
Window air conditioners are convenient, but they’re also loud and expensive to operate. Plus, they
struggle to keep just one room cool, leaving most of your house unbearably hot.
Ductless heat pumps are a much better alternative. They’re highly energy efficient and practically silent. Plus, they cool better and double as a heater in the winter.
With Energize CT rebates, you can save on heat pump installation costs. Income-eligible homeowners can get their heat pumps fully paid for, and other homeowners may be eligible for rebates to reduce the cost.
If you live in New Haven, you can claim additional rebates for heat pumps and barrier installations, including up to $3,000 for electrical system updates, thanks to a city grant.
