Did you know that about half of the 130 million existing homes in the U.S. were built before 1973? Older homes that haven’t been updated in the last few decades could be huge energy wasters that needlessly increase a home’s power usage and expenses. For example, the U.S. Department of Energy says the average family spends about $1,900 per year on home utility bills.
Home owners can also do some quick, inexpensive fixes to make their homes more efficient and reduce energy bills, such as:
- Apply weather-stripping around windows and doors;
- Change air filters;
- Place draft dodgers inside exterior doors; and
- Install programmable thermostats to cut down on energy usage.
Hire a professional contractor for these additional weatherization improvements, which are more expensive but may greatly improve energy savings:
- Conduct an energy audit to find leaks or other efficiency problems;
- Add insulation in the attic;
- Inspect and insulate ducts;
- Check the roof and make sure ventilation is working properly;
- Replace windows and doors with EnergyStar rated products; and
- Upgrade to a more energy efficient furnace or boiler.
The Home Builders Institute (HBI), the non-profit affiliate of the National Association of Home Builders, has worker training expertise including weatherization skills. HBI teaches residential construction workers how to weatherize homes to make them more energy efficient and save consumers’ money. 
