As winter gets near, now is the perfect time to prepare your home for the colder months ahead. Making a few energy efficiency upgrades will keep your home or business warm, lower your utility bills, and reduce your carbon footprint.
Energy efficiency is all about making changes to minimize heat loss and energy waste, and simple upgrades can have a considerable impact. Here are some energy-efficient solutions that benefit you and the environment.
Home Energy Assessments
Completing a home energy audit is the first step in creating a more energy-efficient home. This process thoroughly evaluates your home’s energy use, as it identifies areas where you’re wasting energy and provides recommendations for improving efficiency.
During the assessment, a professional will inspect your home to find energy leaks, such as drafts around windows and doors, and evaluate your HVAC system’s overall performance. They’ll also check the quality of your insulation to ensure your home is retaining heat properly.
Getting an energy audit before winter gives you a clear plan on which energy efficiency upgrades will make the most impact. Tacoma Power is currently giving out free home energy assessments to homeowners who qualify for the Home Energy and Appliance Rebate (HEAR) Program, which covers the cost of energy upgrades for low-income households.
Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit
The IRS is providing a tax credit up to $3,200 if you make qualified energy efficient improvements to your home after Jan. 1, 2023. The credit equals 30% of certain qualified expenses and you have until 2032 to claim the credit for making your energy efficient home improvements.
Energy efficient home improvements include:
- Qualified energy efficiency improvements installed during the year
- Residential energy property expenses
- Home energy audits
There are limits on the allowable annual credit and on the amount of credit for certain types of qualified expenses. The credit is allowed for qualifying property placed in service on or after Jan. 1, 2023, and before Jan. 1, 2033.
The maximum credit you can claim each year is:
- $1,200 for energy property costs and certain energy efficient home improvements, with limits on doors ($250 per door and $500 total), windows ($600) and home energy audits ($150)
- $2,000 per year for qualified heat pumps, biomass stoves or biomass boilers
The credit has no lifetime dollar limit. You can claim the maximum annual credit every year that you make eligible improvements until 2033.
Heat Pump Installations
A heat pump is an energy-efficient system that heats and cools your home through a heat transferring process. In the winter, it pulls heat from the outside air and moves it indoors to warm your space. It reverses the process in the summer, acting like an air conditioner by moving heat out of your home.
Heat pumps use less energy than HVAC systems or boilers because they don’t rely on burning fuel. They’re far more energy-efficient, reducing your utility bills and carbon footprint. While the upfront cost may be higher than conventional systems, the long-term savings in energy costs make it a worthwhile investment.
Hunt’s Services has you covered with professional and affordable heat pump installation services. We offer both ducted and ductless heat pumps, such as mini-split ductless heat pumps, so you can decide what works best for your home or business heating and cooling. But even better yet, you can schedule an appointment with one of our Comfort Specialists for a free assessment of your current HVAC systems to help determine the best options for your needs.
For instance you don’t always need to replace your existing heating and cooling systems, we can repair any deficiencies in your current systems or upgrade only a portion of your systems, such as condenser, thermostat, duct work, or blower in the case of furnace repairs.
Heat pumps are ideal for year-round comfort, heating your home in the winter and cooling it in summer. If your household makes less than 60% of the area median income, you might qualify for the HEAR Program, where Washington’s Climate Commitment Act (CCA) will pay 100% of the costs associated with buying and installing a new electric heat pump or heat pump water heater.
Even if you don’t qualify as a low-income household, Tacoma Power is offering rebates of $1,000 to $2,000 on the purchase and installation of a heat pump. Some families will qualify for a 0% interest deferred loan and a rebate of up to $7,000 on a heat pump installation, as well.
Improve Insulation to Prevent Heat Loss
Insulation improves your home’s energy efficiency because it traps heat inside during the winter, helping maintain a consistent indoor temperature. Without proper insulation, heat escapes through walls, attics, windows, and doors, forcing your heating system to work harder, leading to higher energy bills.
Upgrading insulation in the attic, exterior walls, and around your windows and doors can reduce heat loss. Common insulation materials include fiberglass, spray foam, and cellulose, each offering different levels of effectiveness depending on your needs and budget.
Pierce County’s Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) is helping residents outside of Tacoma city limits reduce their energy costs by providing weatherization services like improving insulation to minimize heat loss.
Install a Programmable Thermostat
Programmable thermostats make it easy to set specific heating schedules for your home, automatically adjusting the temperature based on your daily routine. This feature means you can program it to heat your home when you’re there and lower the temperature when you’re away or asleep, maximizing energy savings.
For even greater control, you might also consider a smart thermostat, which offers remote access via your smartphone and provides energy monitoring features. This minor upgrade can lead to substantial savings on your energy bills while enhancing your comfort.
Energy-Saving Incentives in Tacoma Seattle Area
It’s a good idea to look into the rebates and incentives Tacoma Power and the Pierce County Weatherization Assistance Program have to offer because they can save you significant money this winter and well into the future.
You’ll also need a participating contractor to handle the job, and Hunt’s Services fit the bill. Call us at 253-533-7500 to learn more and complete your energy efficiency upgrades before winter turns cold. Contact Hunt’s services by phone, email: info@huntsservices.com or by using our contact form.
