Home Energy Efficiency in Memphis

Making Your Home Comfortable and Efficient

Because Memphis's climate is so variable, here is some info to ponder when considering energy efficiency in your own home.

• Tennessee is the number one hydroelectric producer east of the Rockies. This may be one of the reasons why Memphis's electricity prices are $0.02 less per kilowatt-hour than the national average, which is nearly $0.11 kilowatt-hour.
• At around $9 per thousand cubic feet from Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division, natural gas prices in Tennessee are a $1.50 less than the national average.
• The average highs in Tennessee are in the 80's during the hottest months and below 40 degrees for five months out of the year.
• The average Tennessee home was built in 1978, a time when most homes only installed three or four inches of attic insulation. ENERGY STAR recommends adding R25-R38 rated insulation to homes that fit this description in order to maximize a home's heating and cooling efficiency.

Home Energy Audits in Memphis

The best way to really know what energy efficiency upgrades would be most cost effective for your home is to have a home energy audit performed in your house. A professional auditor will test your home for its energy efficiency and hand you a checklist of measures you can take to a more comfortable and affordable home.

If you'd like to find out — for free and within minutes — whether your home is a good candidate for an energy audit and for upgrades, take our online home energy report. We'll give you a home energy report and estimate your savings potential.

Home Energy Upgrades in Memphis

Memphis residents have a lot of options to choose from when it comes to upgrading their homes' energy efficiency. Here are a few examples.

• Geothermal Heat Pump: Tennessee's temperate climate makes Memphis a great candidate for a geothermal heat pump heating and cooling systems. These systems use the grounds natural semi-consistent temperature to heat and cool homes.
• Air Sealing: In order to get the most out of any heating and cooling system, it's a great idea to seal up any leaks in your buildings exterior that would otherwise allow hot and cold air to flow in and out, making your HVAC system work harder.
• ENERGY STAR Appliances: With natural gas prices on the decline in Tennessee, it's advisable to get rid of any old electric appliance and replace them with new, efficient, ENERGY STAR compliant gas models.
• Tankless Water Heaters: The best place to start is with replacing an old, aging water heater with a new model that utilizes current technology. Water heaters typically account for most of the energy waste in a household. A tankless water heater model will help reduce this waste by heating water as you need it rather than storing unneeded hot water all day and night.

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

Energy Rebates and Tax Credits in Memphis

Home Efficiency Upgrades: TVA and Gibson Electric Membership Cooperation both offer rebates or loans on furnaces, air conditioners, water heaters and heat pumps. The federal government also offers a Residential Energy Efficiency Tax Credit equal to 30 percent of the cost of certain energy-efficient HVAC equipment up to $1,500.

Renewable Energy Systems: The U.S. government also offers a Renewable Energy Tax Credit equal to 30 percent of the cost (without a cap) of renewable energy systems like wind, solar, biomass and fuel cells. TVA also provides renewable energy incentives for customers including solar, wind, biomass and hydropower.

Check out all energy rebates and tax credits in Memphis.

Home Energy Resources from EnergySavvy

1. Home Energy Report: How efficient is your home? Find out how to improve your home's efficiency and comfort, without spending tons of money, with EnergySavvy's free online home energy report.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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: May 2010

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