Saving Energy Through Personalized Appliance Upgrades

Published on January 16, 2019

Eric Williams, associate professor of Sustainability at the Rochester Institute of Technology, recently co-authored a study which evaluated how much energy different homeowners consume due to appliance use, and how effective a utility appliance rebate program would be for improving the energy efficiency of homes across the United States.

The study found that different households differ in how they consume energy, and that by targeting specific high-use appliances and replacing them with a more energy efficient model, homeowners can save on energy, utility bills, and work to lower their greenhouse gas emissions.

For example, some American homes use their washer and dryer more than others, and as a result the range of money saved varies from home to home quite significantly - if the homeowners were to install a more energy efficient washer and dryer.

The study indicates that some households may actually report a $100 loss for upgrading their washer and dryer, as they do not do enough loads of laundry a week to make up for the upfront upgrade costs, whereas a household that does laundry quite often could save up to $1,560.

There are multiple variables involved in determining how households can save on energy through targeted appliance upgrades, including: demographics such as family size and age, the cost of natural gas and electricity in the area, and the amount of use that the appliances see.

The study also reported that the households that consume a significant amount of energy through appliance use would stand to see significant financial and energy savings with an upgrade to their high-use appliances.

For this reason, the study recommends that households should receive an assessment of how much money and energy could be saved from energy efficient appliances upgrades, as the information could work to inspire more homeowners to make improvements.

The study also recommends that utility rebate programs become more personalized; offering more money back for high-use households that make an energy efficient appliance upgrade.

The First Steps to Saving Energy at Home

As an Ontario homeowner, you may be interested in knowing that by improving the level of energy efficiency in your home you can not only save on your energy bills and improve your home’s level of interior comfort, but you can also qualify for up to $5,000 of home renovation rebates that are currently offered to both Enbridge and Union Gas customers.

The first step to improving home energy efficiency is through a Home Energy Assessment. Our Registered Energy Advisors are happy to answer any questions you may have about your home’s energy consumption or energy efficiency, and once they complete their assessment of your home, they will be able to provide you with a list of suggestions for how you can improve your home’s energy efficiency in the most affordable and effective manner possible.

The assessment evaluates the every aspect of your home’s energy efficiency, and our advisors will work with you to determine which modifications would be the best fit for your needs, your wallet, and your lifestyle.

Quite often the most effective upgrades a homeowner could make are simple and affordable modifications or retrofits, such as finding air leaks and sealing them, or improving the level of insulation in the attic - but with a Home Energy Assessment, every method for improving your home’s energy efficiency is evaluated and clearly laid out so that it’s easy for you to make a decision.