Energy Efficiency 

SAVE ENERGY + SAVE MONEY

 Efficient Home Energy Use

The cleanest and greenest kW of electricity and cubic foot of gas is the one you never use. A simple way to lower your utility bills and make the most of any future investments in renewable energy is by following the principle of "reduce before you produce." By adopting energy-efficient practices first, you can lower your utility bills, increase comfort, and maximize the impact of any future investments in renewable energy.

WAYS TO SAVE AT HOME

Energy Efficiency for Homes & Commercial Buildings

Homes and commercial buildings account for nearly 40% of all US greenhouse gas emissions. We can all take steps to improve the properties we own or operate. The impact can range from 20-30% reductions for simple weatherization (typically sealing and insulating) to 50-70% for deep retrofits (outlined below). By following these steps, you can significantly improve the energy efficiency of our buildings, reduce energy bills, and minimize your environmental footprint:

person selling windows with insulation strips

Windows and Doors

Seal Air Leaks: Use weather stripping and caulking to seal gaps around windows and doors.

Upgrade Windows: Consider installing energy-efficient windows with double or triple glazing.

Door Sweeps: Install door sweeps to prevent drafts under doors.

person insulating water pipes

Water Heating

Insulate Water Heater: Insulate your water heater and pipes to reduce heat loss.

Low-Flow Fixtures: Install low-flow showerheads and faucets to reduce hot water usage.

Energy-Efficient Water Heaters: If your water heater is 10 years old, or older, consider upgrading to an electric heat pump water heater. Replacing your water heater before it fails allows you the time to order your preferred model rather than using what is immediately available on-the-shelf.

hand adjusting the thermostat

UNCOVER WASTED ENERGY 

Audit Your Energy Use

Conducting an energy audit is a great way to better understand how much energy your home consumes and identify the main sources of energy use. By pinpointing inefficient appliances, poor insulation, and other areas of your home where energy may be wasted, an audit helps you make informed decisions on ways in which to improve energy efficiency. This not only leads to significant cost savings on your utility bills but also reduces your carbon footprint and helps our community achieve our climate goals. 

You can hire a professional to complete an energy audit or do a simple DIY assessment

SEALING AND INSULATING

Ways To Home Insulation

woman worker spraying fiberglass for home insulation

Fiberglass Loosefill Attic Insulation | Photo courtesy Owens Corning 

SAVE ENERGY AND SAVE MONEY   
Cost-Saving Climate Actions

illustration of an LED light bulb

Lighting

LED Bulbs: Replace incandescent bulbs with LED bulbs.

Natural Light: Maximize the use of natural light during the day to reduce the need for artificial lighting.

illustration of a thermostat having low temperature

Heating and Cooling Systems

Maintain Systems: Regularly service your heating and cooling systems and periodically replace filters to ensure they run efficiently.

Upgrade HVAC: When a replacement is needed, upgrade to energy-efficient heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Replace natural gas space heating and water heating with electric heat pump options (and then use renewable electricity…see below).

Smart Thermostats: Install programmable or smart thermostats to optimize heating and cooling schedules.

Appliances and Electronics

Energy-Efficient Appliances: Replace old appliances with energy-efficient models.

Unplug Devices: Unplug electronics when not in use to reduce phantom loads.

Energy Star: Look for the Energy Star label when purchasing new appliances. 

hand holding an electric cord

A SIMPLE ACTION TO SAVE ENERGY & MONEY

Switch Off & Save 

Not only is energy efficiency good for the environment, but it is good for your wallet. Efficient fixtures and appliances in your home are generally a good investment and there are often many financial incentives available to help offset the initial cost of purchase. However, the simplest thing you can do to conserve is to turn off lights and appliances when not in use, adjust your thermostat for the season, and to not waste water, especially hot water which uses significant energy to heat. 

EMBRACE ENERGY EFFICIENT CLIMATE CONTROL

Greener Heating & Cooling 

Lenox air-sourced heat pumps

Air-source heat pumps

RELATIVELY INEXPENSIVE | VERY EFFICIENT

Air-sourced heat pumps use the difference between outdoor and indoor air temperatures to efficiently heat and cool your home, heat your water, and dry your clothes. Because heat pumps transfer heat rather than burning fuel as combustion systems do, these systems can deliver up to three times more energy to a home than the electrical energy they consume. 

ground sourced heat pumps from black isle renewables

Ground-source heat pumps

MOST EFFICIENT | MORE COMPLEX & EXPENSIVE
Geothermal heat pumps, also referred to as GeoExchange, earth-coupled, ground-source, or water-source heat pumps, use the relatively constant temperature of the earth as the exchange medium instead of the outside air temperature. In Ohio, ground temperature is warmer than the air above it during the winter and cooler than the air in the summer & these systems take advantage of these differences to create efficient heating, cooling, and water heating.

SAVE 30% ON CLEAN ENERGY INVESTMENTS FOR YOUR HOME
Take Advantage Of Tax Incentives

ENERGY UPGRADES

30% Federal Tax Credit up to $1,200 per year for energy-efficiency upgrades

HEAT PUMPS

30% Federal Tax credit up to $2,000 annually for installation of air-sourced heat pumps, biomass furnaces, and heat pump water heaters

CLEAN ENERGY

30% Federal Tax credit on residential clean energy systems: solar, geothermal, wind, and battery storage

EV CHARGING STATION

30% Federal Tax credit up to $1,000 for installation of a home electric vehicle charging station

  HOME ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Frequently asked questions

Do I have to get a permit or go through any Village or Township zoning to install a heat pump? 

It’s always a good idea to check with Village or Township officials (i.e., your local jurisdiction) BEFORE making any significant changes to your home. Some of these changes may require a zoning permit. In all cases, installing a heat pump of any type requires a permit from the Licking County Building Code office.  If you are having these upgrades done by a professional, they can usually provide guidance on what’s needed (and will often handle this for you). 

What type of home energy efficiency upgrades qualify for the federal tax incentive?

Incentives are significant and change frequently. It’s best to check a reliable website for the most up-to-date information. In addition to US federal and Ohio state government websites, the Village’s partner Power a Clean Future Ohio has a great summary of incentives.  The IRS also has a great summary of Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit

I'm not sure where to get started. Where can I get the "biggest bang for the buck" for my home energy efficiency upgrade? 

Be sure to check out the steps outlined at the top of this page. If you’re just getting started, hiring a professional to conduct a complete home energy audit, using tools like infrared cameras, blower door and duct blaster tests (air leakage), HVAC appliance and safety testing, and visual inspections, is a great place to start.

Investments in more efficient heating and cooling systems are another place to start, especially because it qualifies for tax credits.  However, the initial cost can be a barrier.  Other less expensive upgrades would be replacing older appliances with more efficient ones. Our local utility companies, AEP Ohio, Columbia Gas and the Energy Cooperative all have valuable information on their websites about how you can make your home or business more energy-efficient.

 

One important thing to note is that you can always save money and reduce your energy use by making simple behavior changes – turning off lights, drying clothes on a clothes line, moving that thermostat up or down depending on the season. 

What is involved in a Home Energy Audit and who performs these locally? 

A home energy audit will provide you with a detailed plan to reduce your energy bills and enhance the comfort of your home. Home Energy Auditors must be certified to implement investments authorized under the Inflation Reduction Act.  BPI and RESNET are the 2 most common certifications. Learn more here

Purple Coneflowers at Pollinator Pocket Park

Purple coneflowers at Pollinator Pocket Park| Photo by Susan King