Energy Savings Calculator

Calculate potential energy savings, payback period, and return on investment for home energy efficiency improvements.

Monthly Savings = Current Bill × Savings%; Annual Savings = Monthly × 12; Payback Period = Upgrade Cost / Annual Savings
$250/month bill, attic insulation (17.5% savings), $2000 cost: Saves $43.75/month = $525/year, payback in 3.8 years

What home improvements save the most energy?

ROI-ranked energy improvements: 1) Air sealing ($300-600): Seal leaks around windows, doors, outlets, pipes - saves 10-20% on bills, payback under 1 year. 2) Attic insulation ($1000-2500): Upgrade to R-38 to R-49, saves 15-25%, payback 2-4 years. 3) Programmable thermostat ($100-250): Auto temperature adjustments save 10-15%, payback under 1 year. 4) LED lighting ($200-500): Replace incandescent/CFL, saves 75% on lighting, payback 1-2 years. 5) High-efficiency HVAC ($3000-8000): 90%+ AFUE furnace or 16+ SEER AC, saves 20-40%, payback 5-10 years. Start with cheap wins (air sealing, LEDs) before expensive upgrades.

How much can insulation save on energy bills?

Insulation savings by location: Attic insulation: Biggest impact - heat rises. Upgrade R-19 to R-49 saves 15-25% on heating/cooling. Cost: $1-3 per sq ft. Payback: 2-4 years in cold climates. Wall insulation: Harder to add in existing homes (drill and fill). Saves 10-15% on bills. Cost: $3-5 per sq ft. Payback: 5-8 years. Basement/crawlspace: Insulate walls and rim joists. Saves 10-15% on heating. Cost: $2-4 per sq ft. Payback: 3-5 years. Total potential savings: 30-40% on heating/cooling with comprehensive insulation upgrade. Climate matters - cold climates see faster payback.

Are high-efficiency appliances worth the extra cost?

Appliance upgrade analysis: Refrigerator: Old (pre-2000) uses 1400 kWh/year ($168/year). New Energy Star uses 400 kWh/year ($48/year). Savings: $120/year. Premium: $100-200. Payback: 1-2 years. Washer/Dryer: Front-load Energy Star saves $50-100/year on electric + water. Premium: $200-400. Payback: 3-5 years. Dishwasher: Energy Star saves $35/year. Premium: $100. Payback: 3 years. Water heater: Heat pump heater saves $300-500/year vs electric. Premium: $1000-1500. Payback: 3-4 years. Replace appliances when they break - forced upgrade. Don't replace working appliances unless very old/inefficient.

How much do windows affect energy efficiency?

Window efficiency impact: Single-pane windows: U-factor 0.9-1.0 (poor insulation), 25-30% of home heat loss, cold drafts and condensation. Double-pane windows: U-factor 0.3-0.4, 10-15% heat loss, significant improvement. Triple-pane windows: U-factor 0.15-0.25, best insulation, overkill for moderate climates. Replacement cost: $300-1000 per window installed. Savings: $100-400/year for whole house (20 windows). Payback: 10-25 years - long! Better investments first: Storm windows ($100-200 each): 30-50% of replacement benefit, much cheaper. Window film/treatments ($50-200): Reduces solar gain in summer. Caulking/weatherstripping ($50): Seals air leaks cheaply.

What temperature should I set my thermostat to save energy?

Optimal thermostat settings for savings: Winter heating: 68°F when home/awake, 62-65°F when sleeping (saves 5-10%), 58-62°F when away 8+ hours (saves 10-15%). Each degree lower saves 1% on heating. Summer cooling: 78°F when home, 82-85°F when away, 82°F when sleeping. Each degree higher saves 3-5% on cooling. Use programmable/smart thermostat for automatic adjustments - saves 10-15% vs manual. Ceiling fans allow 4° higher summer setting (uses far less energy). Avoid yo-yo settings - don't crank to 80°F to warm faster (doesn't work, wastes energy).

How do I calculate my potential energy savings?

Step-by-step savings calculation: 1) Get baseline: Review 12 months of utility bills, calculate average monthly cost, identify high usage months (heating/cooling). 2) Estimate improvement savings: Attic insulation: 15-20% of heating/cooling costs, LED lighting: 75% of lighting costs (10-15% of total bill), thermostat programming: 10-15% of heating/cooling, high-efficiency HVAC: 20-40% of heating/cooling. 3) Calculate payback: Divide upgrade cost by annual savings. 4) Account for rebates/incentives: Utility rebates, federal tax credits (IRS Form 5695), state/local incentives. 5) Compare options: Prioritize short payback projects first (under 3 years).

What are utility rebates and tax credits for energy upgrades?

Available incentives reduce upgrade costs: Federal tax credits (2024 onwards): Heat pumps, insulation, windows, doors: 30% credit up to $1200/year. Heat pump water heaters: 30% up to $2000. Electrical panel upgrades: 30% up to $600. Limit $3200 total. IRS Form 5695. State/local incentives: Vary widely by location. Check DSIRE database (dsireusa.org). Often $500-2000 per upgrade. Utility company rebates: Energy Star appliances: $25-100 per appliance. HVAC upgrades: $300-1000. Insulation/air sealing: $200-500. Smart thermostats: $50-100. Apply for all available incentives - can reduce costs 30-50%. Research before purchasing to ensure eligibility.

How long does it take to recoup energy efficiency investments?

Typical payback periods by upgrade: Under 2 years: Air sealing ($300-600, saves $200-400/year), LED lighting ($200-500, saves $200-300/year), low-flow showerheads ($50-100, saves $100-200/year), smart power strips ($50-100, saves $100/year). 2-5 years: Programmable thermostat ($100-250, saves $100-180/year), attic insulation ($1000-2500, saves $300-600/year), water heater insulation ($30, saves $30-50/year). 5-10 years: High-efficiency HVAC ($3000-8000, saves $400-800/year), heat pump water heater ($1200-2500, saves $300-500/year). 10+ years: Window replacement ($6000-20000, saves $300-600/year). Prioritize quick payback projects - longer payback only if replacing broken equipment.