by Robert Denson

We work with TVA on a number of different programs. Now that spring is here and summer is not far away we highly advise giving this program a try if you have not done so.

If you feel as though your energy bills are excessive or if you just want direction in making your home as efficient as possible, this program is for you.

The program works as follows:

A certified TVA advisor will come to your home or you may schedule a virtual visit. During your home energy evaluation, the advisor will look at 9 different areas:

1. Air Sealing– Air sealing is a fundamental step in making your home more energy-efficient. Just by air sealing gaps and holes in your attic, crawlspace, and other breaks in the thermal boundary, you could save 10% or more on your energy bills.
2. HVAC- If your heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment is more than 10 years old, struggles to keep your home comfortable, or needs frequent repairs, it might be time to replace it. When you replace your old system with a high-efficiency system, you could save up to 20% on your heating and cooling costs.
3. Duct sealing- is important because heating and cooling make up approximately 45% of your home’s energy usage. Sealing leaky air ducts may be the single most important thing you can do to improve your home’s energy performance. By reducing duct leakage in your home by even 30%, you can expect, on average, up to a 16% reduction in your annual energy consumption.
4. Windows and Doors- Upgrading old windows and doors with ENERGY STAR-qualified windows and doors can help you save up to 15% on your household energy bills. 
5. Water heater- Water heating accounts for about 17% of your home’s total energy use. So if your electric water heater is on its last legs, it could be costing you money every month.
6. Wall insulation- Insulation levels are specified by R-values that measure insulation’s ability to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the thermal performance of the insulation.
7. Appliances and Electronics- Appliances and electronics can zap a lot of energy, making up about 21% of the typical home’s energy usage. Unlike standard appliances, ENERGY STAR® certified appliances use advanced technologies and premium features to save more energy. The following appliances will be inspected by your advisor: Clothes washers, dishwashers, Computers, Televisions, Pool Pumps, Set-top boxes, and Home Entertainment Centers.
8. Lighting- Nearly 11% of your home’s electricity bill comes from lighting. Changing your old incandescent bulbs to new ENERGY STAR® certified light-emitting diodes (LED) is a simple step you can take to make your home more energy-efficient.
9. Refrigerator- Refrigerators are responsible for about 8% of the average household’s energy usage. Replacing your old refrigerator with an ENERGY STAR® certified refrigerator could save you $200-$1,100 on electricity costs over the refrigerator’s lifetime.

After your virtual or in-home evaluation, you’ll receive your home’s efficiency score, ranking your home’s energy efficiency on a scale of 1-10. You’ll also get your efficiency report with customized prioritized recommendations for ways to improve your home’s energy efficiency.

Once you have your efficiency report, TVA can also help with upgrades. Financing is available in most areas and their Quality Contractor Network makes it easy to find a TVA-approved contractor. They’ll even inspect the work after it’s done, for a little extra peace of mind.

Get a Home Energy Evaluation in person or straight from your smartphone. Call 1-855-237-2673 to schedule or visit https://energyright.com/residential/services/home-energy-evaluation/

As always, if you have any questions about this program please contact Power Partners at 931-553-7400 or email us at energyservices@cdelightband.com