Home Electrification: Create a Baseline (1/4)
First Step: Get Smart Thermostats & LEDs
The previous owners of my house in Northern California were spending $400-$450 a month on the utility bill, 72% gas / 28% electric. I cut this total down to $225 by creating a baseline with smart thermostats and LED lights.
Based on the thermostat data I tuned our HVAC to minimize heat use at night and shut the system off when we’re away. Many utilities offer rebates on smart thermostats, so check their website.
Next, I replaced all old bulbs in the house (even the little lights) with LED. Some utilities will offer a rebate for these products as well.
We had 60w incandescent, outdoor flood lights, overhead fluorescent tubes, old track lights and then some random tiny bulbs.
This step was the easiest and cheapest, but also provided the greatest % ROI. I built the site Lastbulb.com to make buying LEDs very easy for you.
Products:
- 2x Nest thermostats: $185 each (BUY) (Includes $50 rebate)
- CREE 40W equivalent LED bulbs 8 pack: $42 (BUY)
- 2x H Type LED Track light all-in-ones warm white 6 pack: $90 each (BUY)
- 40W equivalent Edison style LED bulbs 3 pack: $16 (BUY)
- 90W equivalent LED flood lights 6 pack: $27 (BUY)
- LED T5 tube shop lights 6 pack: $40 (BUY)
- Random tiny bulbs replacing halogen, vintage lamps, etc.
Total Spent: $658
Total Cost Offsets: $67.5k over 25yrs ($2.7k savings annually)
Simple right? Spending <$1k breaks even in the first few months and keeps $67k in your pocket over the next couple decades.
Let’s go to STEP 2.
Guide Index
Home Electrification: Appliances (2/4)
