for Making Older Homes More Energy Efficient

Battling Old Man Winter to keep the house a comfortable temperature can often take a toll on the bank account. Older homes are even more susceptible to drafty spots, windows that don’t quite seal and appliances that are less than efficient. Having an energy-efficient home might seem idealistic for most homeowners, but there are some simple things that can help lower utility bills if performing a complete renovation isn’t in the budget.

“The first thing you want to do is get a third-party person out there to take a look at the house,” says Bill Klotz, existing home specialist for Southern Energy Management. “Have an energy audit done, because each house is unique. Most early 20th century homes need to be tightened and sealed.”

Bill Katz, vice president of human resources for AmeriGas, a North Carolina Farm Bureau service partner, says there are a number of small things the average homeowner can do to make their older home more efficient—insulation being first and foremost on his list.

“Most older houses tend not to be insulated very well, especially in the Carolinas and farther south where the winters are typically not as cold,” Katz says. “Typically you can get the biggest bang for your buck by insulating your attic area. It’s easy to install by yourself.” He also notes that blown insulation in walls and crawlspaces can help.

“There are lots of quick, easy fixes, but if you can tighten up the house and get it insulated, the savings can be substantial,” Klotz says.

“You can also change your thermostat to a set-back thermostat that automatically lowers the temperature during times that you aren’t at home, so you don’t have to remember to do it when you leave,” he says.

Katz says that adding a blanket to water heaters is an easy fix, and they can be found at most home improvement stores.

For homeowners who are particularly handy and have a few extra dollars to spend to retrofit their homes, Katz suggests looking at doors and windows to see how they can be improved. “If you can change the windows, that’s great, but you can also add storm windows or replace the sashing if replacing the entire window is too big of a job.”

Katz also recommends looking at more efficient appliances when it comes time to invest in new ones.

AmeriGas advocates for propane as an energy-efficient alternative to other forms of fuel. Propane is regarded as one of the cleanest burning fossil fuels and it’s considered cleaner than electricity, which is often generated by coal-burning power plants. Propane is also nontoxic, so it won’t harm soil or water.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy national averages data, propane appliances generally cost less to operate than electric appliances. Here are some examples of how propane power cuts expenses:

Propane space heaters–99.9 percent efficiency saves money.

Propane clothes dryers–More efficient than electric dryers, use fewer energy resources and cost less to operate.

Propane water heaters–Some propane tankless water heaters can reduce costs by up to 50 percent per year and last up to 20 years.

Propane furnaces–More efficient operation can lower energy bills.

Because the air gets hotter—120 degrees with propane vs. 90 degrees with electricity—propane heats homes faster and maintains warmth longer than an electric heat pump. Plus, when the electricity goes out, propane heat still works.

While space heaters have earned a bad reputation for being unsafe, Katz notes that the dangers are typically associated with kerosene space heaters. “Propane space heaters are very safe and are available in many different forms that are more attractive inside the home,” Katz says.

“People think nothing of using a window AC unit, and a propane space heater is essentially the same thing,” he says. “It’s like adding another zone to your house. It’s more cost effective just to heat where you are.”

But Katz notes that the advantages of making homes more energy efficient don’t end at the checkbook. “You’ll see a difference in your bill, but it also makes the house more comfortable.”

Klotz recommends that an energy audit be the first step in any repairs made to an old house. “Having an assessment done vs. hoping you’re doing the right thing can easily save you hundreds of dollars in the long run just by doing the things you really need to have done.”