As winter storms engulf the nation, EPA launches an analytical energy saving tool for consumers
December 12, 2014
As huge winter storms batter each coast this week, the Environmental Protection Agency announced the launch of a new tool, the Energy Star Home Advisor, to help Americans save money and energy by improving the energy efficiency of their homes through home-improvement projects.
The timing seems ironic. Winter isn’t exactly the time to be studying your energy uses and hiring a contractor. A spring launch would have been much better. Consumers could undertaken the projects or hired a contractor in the summer.
EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy visited Durham, N.C., with local officials Friday for the agency’s Energy Efficiency Action Week and a tour a new Energy Star-certified Habitat for Humanity home. The home tour included blower door and duct blaster tests.
Durham was a good choice. It’s 53 degrees in Durham on Friday.
In Washington state, where I live, we had a huge wind storm Thursday that knocked out the power for nearly 300,000 customers. Winds were up to 70 miles an hour. There are still thousands of people without power.
So, energy efficiency isn’t on many people’s minds. Most consumers are interested in whether they have power, if their basement is flooded, or whether falling branches damaged their home.
When consumers can get a breath after dealing with the storms, they can use the updated Energy Star Home Advisor to guide them through a “do-it-yourself” energy assessment to create an Energy Star home profile.
Based on the profile, the Home Advisor provides customized, prioritized recommendations for improvements. From these recommendations, users can create their own to-do lists of projects such as adding insulation to the attic or replacing an HVAC air filter.
See “EPA Announces New Energy Star Tool for Homeowners to Save Energy, Money This Winter” for details on Energy Star tips to save energy and money this winter.
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