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Home energy upgrade guides
Plain-language answers to the questions homeowners ask before spending on energy upgrades, with figures for every state from the Upgrade Ladder's engine and the source behind each one.
- Is replacing windows worth it for the energy savings?
Usually not on energy alone, unless the windows need replacing anyway.
- How much does attic insulation save?
It depends most on what's up there now.
- Will a heat pump lower my bill?
What your state's electricity and fuel prices say.
- Heat pump water heaters: where they pay off
Fastest when they replace a tank that has failed.
- Does a thermostat setback really save money?
Yes, and it costs nothing; heat pump homes differ.
- How much of your energy goes to heating and cooling?
The number that decides what most upgrades are worth, and how to read it from your bills.
The windows, attic, water heater and thermostat guides run the same example home through the Upgrade Ladder's engine in every state; the heat pump guide compares running costs at each state's prices, and the heating and cooling guide gives each state's typical shares. For your own figures, the Upgrade Ladder starts from your bills.