Practical Heating and Cooling Advice to Cut Energy Use

With Rhode Island facing harsh winter weather, many homeowners are searching for better ways to stay comfortable while reducing energy use and keeping utility bills under control.

Rhode Island Energy offers support through a no-cost Home Energy Assessment. An Energy Specialist can visit the home and suggest a range of energy-saving improvements tailored to the property.

Many of those recommendations center on heating and cooling, which are the biggest energy users in most homes. Whether the issue is a furnace, boiler, heat pump, water heater, or insulation, the guidance is designed to help homes stay warmer in winter and cooler in summer as efficiently as possible.

One homeowner, David, used the program to turn his Woonsocket home into an example of modern electrification. His upgrades included a cold-climate heat pump, heat pump water heater, EV charger, electrical panel, and improved insulation, all made possible through Rhode Island Energy programs and rebates.

“The heat pump is so important to this whole electrification project,” David said. “It’s a lot more comfortable and maintains the temperature in the house a lot better versus our old furnace. The house is constantly at the right temperature.”

The heat pump is already delivering savings, reducing David’s energy costs by about $40 a month, or $480 a year, compared with his previous gas and electric bills.

Insulation and air sealing brought even more savings, cutting his annual energy bills by another $343. Home performance contractors installed an 8-inch layer of cellulose insulation in 890 square feet of attic space. Air sealing also closed gaps and holes in the attic, unfinished basement, and plumbing and wiring access points.

During a Home Energy Assessment, the Energy Specialist may also install no-cost items such as low-flow showerheads, faucet aerators, advanced power strips, and programmable thermostats. These simple tools can produce immediate savings and are also available at reduced prices through the Rhode Island Energy Marketplace.

Here are three other affordable heating and cooling steps that can help lower home energy use right away:

1. Insulate your water heater. A water heater blanket typically costs about $20 to $40 and can reduce water heating costs by 7% to 16%, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
2. Insulate hot water pipes. The U.S. Department of Energy says this simple measure cuts heat loss and can raise water temperature by 2 to 4 degrees Fahrenheit, which helps conserve water and may let you lower the water heater setting.
3. Invest in air sealing and insulation. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates homeowners can save about 15% on heating and cooling costs by sealing leaks and adding attic insulation. Insulation improves comfort by making it harder for heat to escape in winter, while also helping keep homes cooler in summer and reducing the risk of condensation that can lead to mold or moisture problems. Rhode Island Energy customers may qualify for up to $10,000 off insulation, plus no-cost air sealing for leaks in drafty areas of the home. For example, David’s project would have cost $2,551, but the work was completed at no cost to him.

By taking advantage of a no-cost Home Energy Assessment and following these simple efficiency tips, Rhode Islanders may be able to lower monthly utility bills significantly. To learn more about improving heating and cooling efficiency, visit www.rienergy.com/save.