‘What’s the best thing I can do to lower my power bill?”
That’s usually the first or second question the energy counselors at Clark Public Utilities hear from customers who want to cut their energy waste.
“The truth is the ‘best thing’ is different for everyone and depends on their lifestyle, household size and their home’s age,” said Energy Counselor Mike Wood. “Small behavioral changes can really add up for about every customer, but when upgrades could make a significant difference we encourage customers to think systematically.”
That might sound complicated, but it’s actually pretty simple. To make the most of your home’s energy performance, start with a focus on these areas: insulation, weatherization, heating source and water heating.
Insulation offers the shortest return on investment of nearly any energy-efficiency project, and the results are immediately noticeable. A poorly insulated house often feels drafty, gets hot in the summer, and never quite warms up in the winter. Homes built before the 1990s usually lack insulation, which is a big reason energy bills can be seasonally high.
Air leaks are like death by a thousand cuts for an energy budget. They’re everywhere and constantly allowing the air you’re paying to heat or cool to escape, practically sending your hard-earned dollars with it. A handy do-it-yourselfer can tackle many leaks, but a weatherization professional can do HVAC ducts and often seals leaks that add up to the equivalent of an open window.
Ductless or ducted, a heat pump is the ideal solution for electrically heated homes and businesses to reduce energy waste, enjoy more consistent temperatures and a more pleasant feel to the heated air. Heat pumps, or any heat source, function best when they’re in a space that’s well-insulated and weatherized. If it’s connected to a backup heat source, the activation timing of the two systems should be properly configured by an HVAC professional.
“Installing a heat pump and ignoring those other home features is like buying a hybrid car to save gas but leaving it idling in the driveway when you’re not using it,” said Energy Counselor Anthony Jefferies.
An electric hot water heater can account for about 15 percent to 20 percent of a home’s annual energy consumption. Most electric 50-gallon electric water heaters are about $500 annually to operate, but heat pump water heaters cost about half as much. While they can be more expensive to purchase upfront, the energy savings are immediate and quickly add up over the life of the system.
Late summer and fall are the perfect times to start making those upgrades.
Clark Public Utilities offers rebates on these improvements and others to help home and business owners make the most of their energy budgets. More information is available at clarkpublicutilities.com/rebates. Many utility rebates can be used in combination with tax credits available through the federal Inflation Reduction Act.
Residential or commercial customers can also take advantage of a free home energy review by a Clark Public Utilities Energy Counselor. Schedule one by calling 360-992-3355 during business hours or emailing ecod@clarkpud.com.
Homeowners and businesses with natural gas service can also take advantage of rebates specific to them. To find out more, visit the Energy Trust of Oregon at energytrust.org.
Energy Adviser is written by Clark Public Utilities. Send questions to ecod@clarkpud.com or to Energy Adviser, c/o Clark Public Utilities, P.O. Box 8900, Vancouver, WA 98688.
