Homeowners Look to Reduce Energy Consumption for Earth Day

CHESTER, Pa., April 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Retrofitting an existing home to be more energy efficient is an effective way to save energy and reduce cost of homeownership. Retrofitting includes a variety of projects from replacing old light bulbs to upgrading appliances and installing new insulation. Practical home improvement has become popular among savvy homeowners looking to save. According to Pike Research, expenditures for energy efficient home improvements will grow to over 50 billion by 2014. Power Home Remodeling Group, the nation's fourth largest home remodeling company, offers energy efficiency tips for homeowners looking to celebrate Earth Day by "greening" their home.

According to the US Department of Energy, 80 percent of homes built before 1980 were built with insufficient insulation. Old dishwashers waste up to 6,700 gallons of water per year – enough water to run an efficient dishwasher for seven years. Replacing old, single-pane windows can save a homeowner hundreds on energy bills.

"Retrofitting an existing home to make it more green and an energy efficient structure is easier than some homeowners might realize," says Power co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Jeff Kaliner. "With a few simple steps or home improvement investments, homeowners can reduce their energy consumption, save some money throughout the year — all while being friendlier to the Earth and helping reduce our country's dependence on foreign oil."

Below are Power's tips for homeowners looking to make their home more energy efficient and environmentally friendly:

• DIY Home Energy Assessment – Homeowners can easily assess their energy usage through a do-it-yourself home energy audit. By searching for air leaks and checking things like insulation, lighting and heating/cooling equipment, homeowners can develop a list of problem areas. This list will help homeowners prioritize energy efficiency upgrades.
• Windows – Energy efficient windows are better insulated, allowing a home to stay cooler in summer and warmer in winter. If homeowners are not able to replace their home's windows, closing cracks and seals with caulk to reduce air leakage is a great alternative. Homeowners can receive up to $200 in tax credit toward the purchase of windows in 2011.  
• Insulation – According to the US Department of Energy, more than 50 percent of the energy used in a typical American home is for heating and cooling the air. Energy usage for heating and cooling is high because conditioned air often escapes through poorly insulated walls and attics creating a never-ending cycle of circulating air. Updating a home's insulation may allow homeowners to retain conditioned air and spend less to keep the home comfortable. Homeowners can receive up to $500 in tax credit for updating insulation in 2011.
• Appliances – Updating your home's appliances to ENERGY STAR™ rated appliances can save you money on both your water and electric bill. A new clothes washer alone may save you thousands of gallons of water each year. If replacing your appliances is out of the question, be sure to keep them clean and in good repair to reduce energy waste.
• Doors – Old or improperly sealed doors can significantly affect a home's energy efficiency by allowing conditioned air to easily escape. Installing a new door can provide more effective insulation than older ones. Homeowners can receive up to $500 in tax credit toward the purchase of new doors in 2011. Weather-stripping is another cost effective way to seal air leaks around an existing door.  
• Light Bulbs – According to ENERGY STAR™, if every American home replaced just one light with an energy efficient CFL light bulb enough energy would be saved to light 3 million homes for a year. With a cost of just over $2 per bulb, switching to CFL light bulbs is a very cost-effective Earth Day project.
• Programmable Thermostat – The US Department of Energy reports that homeowners can save roughly 10 percent on heating and cooling bills by turning their thermostat back 10 to 15 degrees for eight hours a day. A programmable thermostat will automatically adjust the temperature of a home while the homeowner is at work or asleep, making energy reduction easy.

Power's home experts are well-equipped to assist homeowners in identifying areas that can be retrofitted for increased energy efficiency. Homeowners interested in updating their homes can contact Power for a free in-home evaluation at 888-REMODEL or PowerHRG.com.  

About Power Home Remodeling Group

Family-owned since 1992, Power Home Remodeling Group is the nation's fourth largest home remodeling company with more than 900 full and part-time employees and $135 million in sales. Headquartered in Chester, Pa., Power provides energy-saving and environmentally friendly exterior remodeling solutions to residents on the East Coast, including Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington, DC. An Inc. 5000 company, Power has served more than 40,000 homeowners and is recognized as a home improvement leader by its 2009 "Dealer of the Year" award from Window and Door Magazine and the 2010 "Top Workplace" from The Philadelphia Inquirer. For more information, please visit PowerHRG.com.

SOURCE Power Home Remodeling Group