How Hiring an Energy Inspector Can Save You Money

Replacing an old refrigerator in particular can cut your electric bill by 30%, Christoforou says, because it's the one major appliance that runs 24/7.

If you use an air conditioning unit, as opposed to central AC, he says that you know it's time to replace it when your electricity bills soar more than they should -- $50 is definitely too much -- during the warm weather.

A clothes washer uses 85% of the energy it consumes to heat water. So washing in cold or warm water instead of hot saves energy, too.

Windows

Our windows, installed years ago by a contractor, are commercial grade double-paned glass, pretty much the lowest quality for this type of window. But that is not as bad as it sounds. Christoforou told me that how well windows were installed, how snuggly they fit and how well they're sealed can make more of a difference than the quality of the glass.

If we wanted an upgrade to really make a difference, we'd want to go with low-e windows, which are coated with a clear metallic surface that reflects heat and UV rays, keeping heat out during the summer and in during the winter. Bob Vila does a good job of explaining them. These windows can reduce energy loss by 10% during the winter and reduce the need for air conditioning by 25% during summer.