Home energy retrofits are becoming increasingly common, but as the market spreads, so do misconceptions about how to best generate savings. While some marketers have attempted to advertise “silver bullet” strategies, in reality, says Matt Golden of Sustainable Spaces, no one solution is right for every house every time. One of the best ways to figure out which retrofits work for your home is to have a professional energy audit, and in the meantime, watch out for these five misconceptions about home energy efficiency.

Myths:

1.   You should install solar PV as a first step: Solar systems may be flashy but there are many less showy measures that give you significantly more energy saving bang for your buck. More cost-efficient steps include insulation, sealing ducts, adding CFLs, and ENERGY STAR appliances to name a few.

2.   All insulation is equal: While fiberglass batts are common, small gaps can lead to dramatic efficiency reductions. Blown-in, or loose-fill, fiberglass or cellulose insulation is generally far more effective for retrofits.

3.   Double paned windows are always beneficial: In the U.S., window manufacturers aren’t required to report testing data on air leakage which means that some double-paned brands may actually leak a lot of air. Also windows with a low emissivity reflective film, may help in the summer but will hinder heat gain in the winter. The bottom line is that if you are buying new windows be sure to do your research on the manufacturer and consider your heating and cooling needs carefully.

4.   You need a tankless water heater: These systems do not necessarily save energy for larger families. Generally, if a household uses more than one tank worth of hot water per day, then a conventional system may be more efficient. Water heater tips >>

5.   Zeroing your electric bill means you’re using no energy: While cutting electricity is crucial, natural gas is also used in many homes for space and water heating, and it is important to cut back on natural gas use as well.

• Read background: “Top 5 Misconceptions About Home Energy Performance,” by Justin Moresco, earth2tech (8/13/09)
• Visit our Upgrade Your Home page to see our top energy saving recommendations
• Schedule a professional energy audit by calling the California Building Performance Contractors Association at 888-352-2722 (in Northern California) or 888-357-1777 (in Southern California) to find a qualified contractor