By Lisa Hatcher
Not long ago, I had the opportunity to attend a financial planning seminar that taught participants how to get rich by avoiding the cost of a latte per day. This was sage advice and an extremely useful workshop, and I was excited to share the news about how much one could save in a month by eliminating one cup of coffee. I was sharing the story with Jeff Herholdt of the West Virginia Division of Energy and his staff one day, and they boasted that they could teach me how to save much more money and still have a cup of joe. Since I am an individual who willingly accepts such challenges, I decided to test their theory on how to put much more money in my pocket without completely remodeling my home or office. They assured me I would not have to subscribe to the age-old advice of turning my thermostats down below 50 degrees, living without hot water or stumbling around in the dark in order to decrease energy consumption to save money.
Herholdt and his team suggested I test their theory in my own home and office, which I have been doing for three years with remarkable results. First, they suggested I install an attic hatch cover. I purchased one for about $37 and have learned that this simple device decreases my energy bills between $15 and $22 per month. Next, they asked me to replace all of my incandescent bulbs with CFLs or LED bulbs. I decided to test both, switching first to CFLs, then trying LED bulbs. Interestingly enough, both types of bulbs are much more energy efficient, and I save approximately $15 per month on my electric bill as a result. I have also found that the lifespan of both types of bulbs are extremely superior to the traditional incandescent bulbs, which means I am saving at the store as well as with the electric company. After these two changes, I was saving at least $30 per month—that buys a lot of coffee!
Next, I was challenged by the West Virginia Office of Economic Opportunity’s Weatherization Assistance Program to further increase my energy savings by installing low flow shower heads, which I immediately tested, and guess what—my water consumption went down, resulting in a decrease of more than $8 per month on my water bill. They also suggested I install a thermal blanket around my hot water heater, which usually saves customers up to $15 per month. My hot water heater is located in a conditioned space, so I did not need to take this step. However, I did replace my hot water heater and refrigerator with energy star models, which saved me at least $12 per month. I was also advised by the weatherization assistance office to decrease the number of times I hand wash dishes and to start using the dishwasher regularly. I really liked this idea, which was contrary to what I had been taught, and it resulted in approximately $40 of savings per year.
As I embraced energy efficiency as a way of life, I continued to search for ways to make my home more comfortable and less costly. I had an energy audit of my home performed to help identify the most cost-effective ways to conserve energy. This service is available free of charge by local utility companies. I found that one simple solution to improve the efficiency of my heating and air conditioning is to change the air filter monthly and to install a programmable thermostat. While I was under the house, I noticed that I had no insulation under the floor. Insulating the floor not only helps keep your feet warm in the winter, but it also saves tons of money. Caulking around the windows and doors, weather stripping where necessary and increasing the attic insulation from six inches to 12 will make your home more energy efficient and the living space more comfortable.
My colleagues at the division of energy and the weatherization assistance program have given me many more tips on saving money on my energy bills, including unplugging electrical devices when they are not in use, such as my cell phone charger, toaster, television and computer. I’m not sure exactly how much this has saved, but I do feel better knowing I am not wasting energy. My utility bills have dropped so dramatically that I have become an energy conservation advocate. I am driving my family crazy, but these simple modifications have allowed me to put more money in my pocket and to treat myself to a latte from time to time—with extra cream.
About the Author
Lisa Hatcher, a native of Washington, DC, and a West Virginian by choice, is the dean of the Advanced Technology Center of New River Community and Technical College in Beckley, WV. Prior to joining New River, Hatcher was the director of Marketing at Mountain State University and a work force development coordinator for the Region 1 Workforce Investment Board in Beckley. Hatcher holds a master’s degree in strategic leadership and a bachelor’s degree in business administration, and she is currently working on a doctorate degree in business administration. Hatcher spearheaded the initiative to make New River the only community college in West Virginia to offer an associate degree in energy management, and she has been heavily involved in delivering energy efficiency training throughout West Virginia.
