Energize Your Wallet

Top 5 Low- or No-Cost Home Improvements That Pay You Back

1. Remote control
Install a clock-programmable thermostat. Lower your heating and cooling bills by up to $180 a year by setting the temperature back 10 degrees for eight hours every day.

Payback
Purchase Price: about $50
Cash-Back Reward: Iowa and Minnesota customers: $25 from Alliant Energy; Wisconsin customers: Focus on Energy does not offer a cash reward on clock-programmable thermostats
Energy Savings: $180 per year
(source: ENERGY STAR^®)

2. Twist and shout
Replace your five most-used light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs and save $65 a year.  They use 75% less energy and last 10 times longer.

Payback
Purchase Price: about $4 per bulb
Cash-Back Reward: Iowa and Minnesota customers: 50% of purchase price through Alliant Energy; Wisconsin customers: $2 per bulb through Focus on Energy
Energy Savings: $65 per year if installed in your five most-used light fixtures
(source: ENERGY STAR)

3. Slow your flow
Install a low-flow showerhead. Surprisingly, it won’t reduce your water pressure and a family of four can save up to $250 a year in water and water heating costs. 

Payback
Purchase Price: about $10
Energy Savings: $145 per year
(source: ENERGY STAR)

4. Wrap it up
Wrap your water heater with an easy-to-install water heater insulation wrap and save up to 9% in water heating costs. 

Payback
Purchase Price: about $25
Energy Savings: $30 per year
(source: ENERGY STAR)

5. Put it to the test
Get a low- or no-cost (depending on your state’s regulations) energy audit for your home.
An energy auditor will pinpoint where your energy dollars are going, and tell you what energy-efficiency improvements will save you the most money.

Payback
Purchase Price: $0-$25
Energy Savings: Varies depending on measures installed