Case Studies -- The Economics of Home Energy Upgrades

Financiers are saying that home energy improvements are the best investment a homeowner can make in this economic climate.  We will show you why different measures make sense, explain all of the benefits and incentives, and then help you to develop a plan.

The following is a list of case studies of people and families who have undertaken substantial energy retrofit measures to their homes.  It was compiled by the Sustainable Energy Resource Group based on work done in Thetford, VT.  Return on Investment (ROI) for these projects ranged from 6.4% to 55% (!)

Pamela Podger, 186 Main Street, East Thetford
Work Done: Increased distribution efficiency for oil furnace.  Air sealed attic penetrations, crawlspace penetrations, windows, doors, vents, fans, and chimneys.  Insulated attic, basement and exterior walls.
Air Leakage Reduced by – 38.9%
Projected Heat Energy Savings – 43.15%
Cost of Job - $3,600
Incentives - $1,488 from Efficiency VT
Net Cost to Homeowner - $2,112
Projected Annual Dollar Savings - $1,173.20
Years to Payback Through Savings – 1.8
"Our house is considerably warmer and less drafty. We've been able to keep our thermostat lower and not feel chilled. One room in particular, which has two exterior walls, now is much toastier."


Eric Pyle, 360 Cadwell Road, East Thetford
Work Done: Installed propane boiler and new hot water tank.  Air sealed attic, knee wall and basement penetrations, and tuck-under garage ceiling and walls.  Insulated attic, knee wall area and basement.
Air Leakage Reduced by – 24.2%
Projected Heat Energy Savings – 34.25%
Cost of Job – $25,327.49
Incentives - $2,500 from Efficiency VT
Net Cost to Homeowner - $22,827.49
Projected Annual Dollar Savings - $1,778.80
Years to Payback Through Savings – 12.83
"House stays warm longer with wood stove. Better hot water supply with new tank integrated with boiler."


Scott Hesser, 428 Godfrey Road, East Thetford
Work Done: Air sealed attic and basement penetrations.  Insulated attic and basement.        
Air Leakage Reduced by – 86.3%
Projected Heat Energy Savings – 27.77%
Cost of Job – $6,375
Incentives - $1,634.50 from Efficiency VT
Net Cost to Homeowner - $4,740.50
Projected Annual Dollar Savings - $1,059.82
Years to Payback Through Savings – 4.47
"Before the improvements the house would cool off very quickly. Now it is much more comfortable."

 
Robert Eaton, 453 Cranberry Hill Road, East Thetford
Work Done: Air sealed attic, wall and basement penetrations.  Insulated attic and basement.
Air Leakage Reduced by – 44.5%
Projected Heat Energy Savings – 27.28%
Cost of Job – $16,518
Incentives - $2,500 from Efficiency VT
Net Cost to Homeowner - $14,018
Projected Annual Dollar Savings - $892.12
Years to Payback Through Savings – 15.71


Manohar Grewal, 1099 Rte 244, Post Mills
Work Done: Air sealed attic penetrations and wall penetrations.  Insulated attic.
Air Leakage Reduced by – 12.5%
Projected Heat Energy Savings – 21.69%
Cost of Job – $8,731.80
Incentives - $1,647 from Efficiency VT
Net Cost to Homeowner - $7,084.80
Projected Annual Dollar Savings - $880.62
Years to Payback Through Savings – 8.05
"My motivation was to conserve energy and to save our environment. We owe that to future generations."

Sarah Stearns, 2507 Rt 113, Thetford
Work Done: Air sealed attic.  Insulated attic.
Air Leakage Reduced by – 44.5%
Projected Heat Energy Savings – 31.71
Cost of Job – $7,318
Incentives - $1,873 from Efficiency VT
Net Cost to Homeowner - $5,445
Projected Annual Dollar Savings - $1,055.69
Years to Payback Through Savings – 5.16


Tim McCosker, 268 Houghton Hill Road, Thetford
Air sealed attic penetration.  Insulated attic.
Work Done: Air Leakage Reduced by – 22.3%
Projected Heat Energy Savings – 29.19%
Cost of Job – $5,005
Incentives - $1,156 from Efficiency VT
Net Cost to Homeowner - $3,849
Projected Annual Dollar Savings - $ 245.28
Years to Payback Through Savings – 15.69
"You can feel the difference when you walk down the stairs in the morning."


Michael Pepe, 2643 Godfrey Road, East Thetford
Work Done: Air sealed attic and wall penetrations; band joists, soffits, base and ceiling moldings.  Insulated accessible section of attic.
Air Leakage Reduced by – 13.6%
Projected Heat Energy Savings – 10.15%
Cost of Job – $800
Incentives - $250 from Efficiency VT
Net Cost to Homeowner - $550
Projected Annual Dollar Savings - $274.87
Years to Payback Through Savings – 2.0
"One major difference is sealing we did on the garage door entrance, which significantly cut down on cold air ingress."


Diane Osgood, 92 Cider Mill Road, North Thetford
Work Done: Increased distribution efficiency for propane furnace.  Air sealed attic, basement and wall penetrations; knee wall floor and wall, and band joist between floors. Insulated attic, slanted ceilings, knee wall floor and wall; gable end wall and basement.
Air Leakage Reduced by – 49.1%
Projected Heat Energy Savings – 50.71%
Cost of Job – $10,074
Incentives - $2,431 from Efficiency VT
Net Cost to Homeowner - $7,643
Projected Annual Dollar Savings - $1,034.81
Years to Payback Through Savings – 7.39
"I grew up in this house and moved back in 2008. My goal is to renovate as much as financially possible & insulation needs were at the top of the list. We felt an immediate increase in comfort. Much 'cozier'!"

 
Daniel Pluta, 1575 Godfrey Road, East Thetford
Work Done: Air sealed attic, basement, cantilevered floors and tuck-under garage.  Insulated attic, basement, cantilevered floors and garage ceiling.
Air Leakage Reduced by – 36.7%
Projected Heat Energy Savings – 24.52%
Cost of Job – $8,200
Incentives - $1,795.50 from Efficiency VT
Net Cost to Homeowner - $6404.50
Projected Annual Dollar Savings - $724.58
Years to Payback Through Savings – 8.84
"The cost of oil and the amount we were using was getting out of control. We felt an immediate increase in warmth without major fluctuations between rooms."