If you’re one of the lucky homeowners getting a tax refund this year, congratulations! Want to turn that refund into even more cash in your pocket? Consider putting your refund to work by investing in your home’s energy efficiency. You’ll reduce your energy footprint, save on your utility bills and enjoy a more comfortable, efficient home.
Revise has a few suggestions on where you can put your tax refund to work—for you!
Tune up or upgrade your heating and cooling system
Heating and cooling your home uses more energy than any other system in your home. Typically, 43% of a home utility bill goes to heating and cooling. When you contact Revise for a Mass Save® no-cost energy assessment, our home energy experts will advise you on the efficiency of your current system. If you need a replacement, we will professionally remove it and install a brand new high-efficiency system. We’ll also help you apply for any rebates for which you may be qualified.
Replace your aging water heater
Did you know the average life of a water heater is 10 years? If you have an older water heater, you may want to look into proactively replacing it before it breaks down. Those who have had a water heater go kaput and leak all over their floor will tell you this is one home improvement investment you do not want to wait on. Revise provides new installations, replacements and service for traditional gas and electric water heaters. We also provide storage tanks, tankless and on-demand systems. These new high-efficiency systems can reduce your monthly water heating costs and provide further savings on your monthly utility bills.
Invest in proper insulation and air sealing
Properly air sealing and insulating is the most cost-effective home improvement you can make in Massachusetts today. Many older homes (and even some newer ones) are improperly or inefficiently insulated, leaving you with a house that costs you more in utility bills. With various rebates and incentives offered by the Mass Save program, you and your Revise home energy specialist can determine the most economic solutions for you and your home. We offer complete installation of insulation and air sealing.
Install energy-efficient doors, windows and skylights
Your windows are an important component of your home’s energy efficiency. According to Energy.gov, heat gain and heat loss through windows are responsible for 25%–30% of residential heating and cooling energy use. Our partner, RiteWindow, can walk you through the process of selecting and installing the most energy-efficient windows, doors and skylights for your home.
Consider installing solar panels
With skyrocketing electric rates, solar power is becoming an increasingly popular solution for many homeowners. Solar panels lower energy bills by generating electricity from the sun’s rays for your home to use, reducing the amount of power you need to buy from your utility company. Revise has a trusted solar partner, Relay Power, we can refer you to if you’re ready to switch to solar.
Install smart thermostats
“Smart” thermostats, such as Nest, use technology to automatically adjust the heating and cooling temperature settings in your home. It senses when you are active and when you are absent and adjusts the temperature accordingly. You can control the thermostat from your phone. When you schedule a Mass Save no-cost home energy assessment with Revise, we can provide these new thermostats at a decreased or no cost, depending on the brand you decide to upgrade to.
Using your tax return to invest in energy efficient home improvements is a smart investment. It will put money back into your pocket throughout the year as you realize the savings on your utility bills. Using less energy results in less greenhouse gas emissions and a better, healthier environment for all of us.
