Better Times ahead
Energy costs savings help through the winter and tight economic times
By Leslie Fiddler
Warren County Report
We finally replaced our aged dishwasher and freezer. One of those legendary Maytags, the dishwasher should’ve quit years ago and the freezer started spitting at us last summer. However we couldn’t rationalize replacing them until our realtor told us that “Americans like pretty, not functional” and persuaded us that the appliances were obsolete energy hogs.
Boy was he was right. My husband gasped with surprise when he opened the latest electrical bill. Added bonuses include the facts that the new dishwasher’s latch works and we can hear each other talk while it operates. I’d felt guilty about our basement freezer ever since the Union of Concerned Scientists advised members to unplug their old clunkers. This summer we’ll see what difference the new freezer makes to the power bill.
We’ve made other energy improvements. We replaced our oil burner a year and a half ago (“Was it condemned?” asked the technician). We’ve added more insulation, caulked holes and cracks, installed several CFL light bulbs and this Christmas switched to LED lights. I am the programmable thermostat.
According to the Union of Concerned Scientists the average annual home energy bill is $1,284/year with an Energy Star equipped home saving about $400/year. We still have a way to go. Meanwhile in 2007 we got a 14.4% return on the investment in our oil burner. I guess this is why some folks believe that investing in energy efficiency gives a better return than the stock market.
Please share your energy saving stories at leslief@warrencountyreport.com