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Energize Ohio

Ohio State University Extension

CFAES

Investing in Energy Efficiency

If you have completed your energy audit (link) and have already taken small steps to reduce your energy consumption (link) then you may be ready to invest in some larger purchases to continue on the road to energy efficiency. As you consider these purchases, you may also be interested in Return on investment, or ROI, on these purchases. When are you likely to recoup the cost invested, and is the extra cost worth the energy savings? Are these investments in Energy Efficiency worth it? Take a look at different “levels” of household improvement and their corresponding ROI.

Here are some investments you can make to help reduce your energy use:

Appliances

  • Energy Star appliances
  • Dishwasher
  • Clothes washer and dryer
  • Refrigerator

Heating and Cooling

  • Get a furnace tune up
  • Replace old/leaky windows with energy efficient widows
  • Insulate between walls and outside
  • Insulate basement walls
  • Replace furnace

Landscaping

  • Use trees, shrubs and awnings to shade your home

Water

  • Replace faucets with Watersense faucets
  • Add aerators to your faucets
  • Switch to low-flow showerheads
  • Install a solar water heater
  • Install a tankless water heater