“We’ve been adding a lot of spray foam insulation as we go. I have to practice what I preach.”
According to The National Desk, homeowners across the country are feeling the pinch as winter weather settles in and home heating and utility bills cut further in family budgets. Many families have no choice but to cut back on spending to account for these rising energy costs.
Homeowners across the country are tightening their budgets this winter to pay for higher utility bills.
“It was $256 for this last month. And that’s just that’s just heat,” explained Jennifer Stevenson of northern New York. “This month, our electric bill was closer to $180.”
With the extremely cold temperatures, Stevenson has been budgeting extra for her utility bills along with several other Americans.
“After seeing their new power bill, over 1 in 4 people who moved in the past year had to cut back on their spending,” according to a survey from Payless Power.
“So, maybe they’re not going to eat out as often or they’re going to cut back on the luxuries like having a trip to the mall or a vacation because they have to pay those bills,” Stevenson, a regional vice president of the National Association of Realtors, said.
The cost of most fuel types, including electric, propane, and heating oil, have all risen over the past year.
According to the National Energy Assistance Directors Association, electric heating is estimated to cost 1.2% more this winter than last year’s.
Propane heating’s estimated increase is 4.2%, and heating oil is expected to be nearly up by 9%.
When buying a home, the majority of consumers don’t take into account how much money it will actually take to keep their homes warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
The Payless Power survey shows only 47% of house hunters considered electricity costs when looking at potential homes.
“You really need to talk about the structure of the house, and the mechanicals of the house. That really is going to impact you the most,” Stevenson said.
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) suggests a number of ways homeowners can help alleviate the rising costs of energy bills. Jennifer Stevenson, a homeowner and a NAR regional vice president, touts the use of spray foam insulation to help seal air leaks and gaps found in her home.
The National Association of Realtors suggests shifting high-energy activities, like laundry and dishwashing, to off-peak times, installing energy-efficient alternatives, like LED bulbs or Energy Star–rated appliances, and sealing cracks and gaps.
“We’ve been adding a lot of spray foam insulation as we go. I have to practice what I preach,” Stevenson added.
Electricity usage can be minimized if a home’s building envelope is designed to be as efficient as possible. The most effective building envelopes are insulated and air sealed – as required by the International Energy Conservation Code. By using building materials, such as spray foam insulation, homeowners can easily insulate and air seal their buildings and be rest assured that the energy used to power their lives is maximized, reducing energy usage and cost.