title: "Briefing: Home Energy Efficiency (Week of Mar 9, 2026)" date: 2026-03-09 tags: ["Efficiency", "Weatherization", "Audits", "Savings"] summary: "Why efficiency should come before solar, audit insights, and the best bang-for-buck upgrades."
Home Energy Efficiency (Week of Mar 9, 2026)
3 things to know
- Efficiency first, then solar. Every kWh you eliminate through efficiency is a kWh of solar you don't need to install. A $2,000 weatherization project can reduce the size (and cost) of a solar system by 15–25% — while also improving comfort year-round.
- Top ROI efficiency upgrades (by DOE and ORNL research):
- Air sealing — Caulk, weatherstripping, expanding foam at penetrations. Cost: $200–$500 DIY. Savings: 10–20% of heating/cooling.
- Attic insulation — Adding blown-in insulation to R-49+ (most climate zones). Cost: $1,500–$3,000. Savings: 10–15% of heating.
- Smart thermostat — Programmable + occupancy sensing. Cost: $150–$300. Savings: 8–12%.
- LED lighting — If not already done. Cost: $50–$200. Savings: $50–$200/year.
- 25C credits for efficiency: The energy efficient home improvement credit covers 30% of insulation, air sealing, and energy audit costs (up to $1,200/year aggregate cap for these items, plus separate $2,000 cap for heat pumps).
Spring action
Spring is ideal for a home energy audit — before summer cooling costs peak. A professional audit ($300–$500, partially creditable under 25C) identifies the highest-impact upgrades for your specific home.