Home Energy Efficiency in Chicago

Overview

For people who spend a lot of their time thinking about energy efficiency, the term "windy city" sparks some ideas. Throughout the nation, people are harnessing wind energy and powering their homes with it. How windy is Chicago really, and what other information might be handy when thinking about energy efficiency?

Making Your Home Comfortable and Efficient

Here is some information to ponder when considering energy-efficiency improvements.

The average wind speed in the Chicago area is around 10 mph and the average solar radiation/day is 3.5-4 kWh/square meter. This is something to ponder when considering a renewable energy system.
The summers are hot (high of 84 degree on average in July), and winters are frigid (average January low of 18 degrees), which makes quality insulation a must.
Electricity (around $0.11/kWh from ComEd) and Natural Gas (around $9/1000 cubic feet from People's Gas) prices are average compared the rest of the country, but with Chicago's extreme temperatures, it's easy to rack up expensive utility bills. Luckily, there are a lot of ways to cut back on consumption without sacrificing comfort.
The average home in Illinois was built in 1965, which means there are plenty of homes in need of an energy-efficiency upgrade.

Home Energy Upgrades in Chicago

If you happen to own an older home in need of an upgrade, here are some projects that may make your home more comfortable and your utility bills more affordable.

Attic Insulation: In a climate where temperatures can drop below the donut, proper insulation is key to keeping out the cold. Walls should have at least R5 or R6 rated insulation, and attic insulation should have a minimum rating of R49. If your existing insulation isn't up to par, you can always add more.
Air Sealing: If your home is more than 10 years old, there are probably several areas where hot or cold air produced by your appliances is slipping through the cracks. Sealing up those leaky cracks can be a very affordable project that will save you money on your utility bills.
Solar Panels: If you've already taken all the most cost-effective efficiency measures to create an airtight home, a renewable energy system could be the last step to creating a net-zero home. But even in a windy city like Chicago, it could be a toss-up between home solar panels and a small wind turbine as your best option.
Energy Audit:If you're not sure where to start, an energy audit will tell you where or what in your homes needs to be sealed off or replaced. You might find that your attic is in need of additional insulation or your home has drafty cracks that need to be caulked.

Have a project in mind? Contact an energy expert to get started.

Energy Rebates and Tax Credits in Chicago

How can you make energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy projects affordable?

Home Efficiency Upgrades: Commonwealth Edison offers incentives for energy-efficiency upgrades and home tune-ups (replacing light bulbs and showerheads). Also, the U.S. government offers a tax credit of $1,500 to help cover the cost of several different energy-efficiency measures, like insulation, roofs and high-efficiency appliances.

Renewable Energy Systems: If you're installing a wind turbine or solar panels, you might want to consider the Illinois rebate program for renewable energy systems, which offers a rebate equal to 30 percent of the cost of the system and installation or $50,000 (whichever is less). Also, the federal government offers a tax credit for 30 percent of the cost of renewable energy systems and installation.

New Energy Rebates... Coming Soon: Beginning on Earth Day 2010, homeowners can receive instant rebates on several energy-efficient products including heaters, heat pumps, refrigerators, clothes washers, dishwashers and more when they buy the appliances through participating retailers. Also, "Cash for Caulkers," also known as HOME STAR, is a proposed initiative that will create a larger tax credit from the federal government for making your house a certain percent more energy efficient overall — no matter how you do it, as long as it's testable.

Check out all energy rebates and tax credits in Chicago.

Home Energy Resources from EnergySavvy

Energy Rebate and Tax Credit Directory: EnergySavvy's guide to energy rebates and tax credits can help you find all the energy tax credits and rebates that are available locally for you.
Energy Contractors: If you've got a project in mind to make your home more energy efficient and comfortable and you'd like to talk with an energy expert about it, we can help. We focus on the relatively small group of contractors nationwide who really understand home energy auditing and energy retrofits.
Educational Content: Home energy efficiency is complicated stuff. It's not just as simple as laying some insulation in the attic. We've put together a library of easy-to-read topics that cover the basics of energy efficiency. And if you have a question about anything, you can ask one of our energy experts using our "Ask an Expert" feature.

Last Updated: January 2010