Investing in Efficiency

Investing in efficiency upgrades for your home can provide significant energy savings on your monthly bill. Some efficiency upgrades below may even qualify for a ShopSmart with JEA rebate that can help lower your initial investment.

Home Investment Curve

Make an efficiency plan you can stick to. Begin by using our home investment curve. Think of it as the master plan to your success. Using it, you can find the least expensive ways to save and then move on to the next logical home efficiency improvements.

Click to view full Home Investment Curve and Plan (PDF)

An energy audit is another useful resource. It provides you with a detailed list of actions and measures to adopt in the order that will cost you the least amount upfront and have the biggest impact on your utility bill.

The energy audit is like getting directions. You have a specific path to follow from point A to point B that takes the least amount of time and energy. The energy audit gives you the path to follow from your current home’s energy and water consumption to a lower point, taking you along the route that requires the least capital and effort.

Include Energy Efficient Products into Your Kitchen or Bathroom Remodel

Kitchen Remodeling Tips

• Buy an ENERGY STAR® dishwasher. Most have advanced technology like soil sensors, improved water filtration, more efficient jets, and innovative rack designs. According to ENERGY STAR, if your dishwasher was made before 1994 you’re paying an extra $40 per year on your utility bill compared to owning a new ENERGY STAR dishwasher. 
• Buy an ENERGY STAR® Refrigerator or Freezer. ENERGY STAR qualified refrigerators are required to use 20% less energy than models not labeled with the ENERGY STAR logo. According to ENERGY STAR, if you still have a fridge from the 1980s, replacing it with an ENERGY STAR qualified model will save over $100 each year on your utility bills. Replacing a fridge from the 1970s saves more than $200 each year. Check the ENERGY STAR certified list of refrigerators and freezers to find models that will use less electricity and save you money. After you have purchased a new ENERGY STAR refrigerator make sure to remove the original refrigerator from your home. Otherwise you will have increased the number of appliances in your home and your electricity consumption will increase. Remember to recycle your old refrigerator! 
• Switch your incandescent lighting with fluorescent or LED light bulbs. They use 75% less electricity, put 70% less heat in the home, and last up to 12 times longer. To learn more check our list of ENERGY STAR Certified light fixtures to find a fixture that will use less electricity and save you money. Find out where you can take advantage of JEA's rebates on LED light bulbs.
• Use EPA WaterSense-rated faucet fixtures that use up to 50% less water.
• Put some shading on your kitchen window with window film or solar screens that will reduce the heat coming through. Window films can reduce 3-5% of the cooling portion of your utility bill if done throughout the house on all east, south, and west facing windows. This will make the kitchen feel more comfortable and prevent the fading of the furniture. 
• Consider adding an ENERGY STAR® ceiling fan/light combination. They’re 50% more efficient over conventional fan/light combinations and they cool rooms without having to lower the thermostat. 
• Discourage mold growth and improve your indoor air quality by installing an exhaust fan that delivers moisture-laden air directly outside.

Bathroom Remodeling Tips

• Switch your incandescent lighting with fluorescent light bulbs. They use 75% less electricity, put 70% less heat in the home, and last up to 12 times longer.  
• Use EPA WaterSense Showerheads and faucets that use up to 50% less water.
• Use EPA WaterSense High Performance Toilets that use 20% less water than conventional toilets.
• Put some exterior shading in your bathroom window or skylight like window film or solar screens to reduce the heat coming through. Window films can reduce 3-5% of the cooling portion of your utility bill if done throughout the house.
• Discourage mold growth and improve your indoor air quality by installing an exhaust fan in the bathroom that delivers moisture-laden air directly outside. Check the list of ENERGY STAR® Certified exhaust fans to find a model that will use less electricity and save you money.

More Tips for Investing in Efficiency

• Install LED lighting in high-use and difficult to reach areas, they save energy and reduce maintenance frequency. Save on the upfront costs with ShopSmart with JEA lighting rebates. 
• Make sure your attic is well insulated, 12” (R38) is ideal. If in need of insulation, you can save on the upfront costs with ShopSmart with JEA with attic insulation rebates.  
• Install insulated double pane windows.
• Install low-emissivity coatings to windows. Low-e coating is a thin transparent coating of silver or tin oxide on the glass surface or on a suspended plastic film, which lets short-wavelength sunlight pass through, but blocks longer-wavelength heat radiation.
• Purchase ENERGY STAR® labeled products. Get more information and a list of vendors
• Install an ENERGY STAR® heat pump water heater or a solar water heater.  Save on the upfront costs with ShopSmart with JEA solar water heater rebates.  
• Upgrade to high efficiency HVAC equipment to lower heating and cooling costs.
• Save on the upfront costs with ShopSmart with JEA HVAC rebates.  

*Remember to do your research before you sign a contract.