Energy efficiency is increasing across the country, so it's been in the news a lot lately, and as with anything that's in the news a lot, there are many misconceptions floating around about it. These false ideas might seem harmless, but they can cost individuals and businesses a lot of money in lost energy savings. Don't be misled by these common myths about energy efficiency:

• Energy efficiency is the same thing as energy conservation. Many people confuse the two terms because they're so similar, but in fact they have completely different meanings. Energy efficiency refers to using less energy to produce the same amount of light or heat, rather than simply lowering the thermostat or turning off the lights. Because energy conservation can seem arduous to some people, especially when it comes to turning down the heat in the winter, this misconception can cause people not to look into energy efficiency when it might be able to save them money.
• Energy efficiency is expensive. While some of the up-front costs for installing energy-efficient technologies may be high, your energy savings will pay for them many times over within a relatively short period of time. Think of it as an investment that takes a while to pay off.
• You shouldn't install too much insulation in your walls because your house needs to breathe. Your house does need ventilation, but it should be coming through designated vents, not through leaks in walls. Insulating your home thoroughly is one of the best ways to reduce heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer.

If you're interested in making energy efficiency improvements to your home and don't know where to start, contact Alban Inspections to schedule a home energy audit today.