Pocono News Section

Saving Money Through Energy Assessments

Saving Money Through Energy Assessments - Friday, November 14, 2008 at 5:35PM EST

Reported by: Jeremy Deebel
Friday, Nov 14, 2008 @ 05:35pm EST
Lewisburg, Union County-

Energy costs have exploded over the past few years.

Now, some local experts are helping people get their homes ready for winter, and hopefully save some money at the same time.

Sometimes, knowing where to start is the hardest part. Energy assessments aim to save homeowners at least 15% on their utility bills.

Farida Zaid, of Lewisburg, said, "I have used a thousand gallons of fuel, so if I can cut that by even 10%, and cut my electric bill, that's going to be a good amount of money. And it's not just the money, it's the savings."

Energy specialists start by examining heat and electricity bills to pinpoint where your money is going.

Energy Reduction Specialist Megan Epler explained, "Quite often what the homeowner finds is that it's really simple and inexpensive recommendations that give a great return on investment, and oftentimes it's those small things that make a big difference."

For instance, insulation is a major factor to stop the drain on your wallet.

Epler added, "We look for any kind of leaks, air infiltration. And so the technician will run a blower door test. We have an infrared camera that will identify any leakage in the home."

Energy meters are also used to gauge the efficiency of common household appliances.

Zaid noted, "I kind of inherited this very large refrigerator and to me it's kind of extravagant because it has the icemaker and all. And it turns out it uses $6.00 per month for electricity, so actually that's really good. So I don't feel so guilty about that anymore."

On the outside of the home, there are plenty of simple things you can do, like adding a layer of caulking to help seal leaky windows and door frames.

The home energy assessments cost $350. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call SEDA-COG at 570-524-4491.

SEDA-COG also hosts breakfast seminars on energy use on the third Thursday and first Friday of each month. You can find a link to their website here.