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Tips to Avoid Energy-Efficiency Scams

We’re all trying to save money on energy bills these days. Plenty of people who sell energy-saving products are willing to take unfair advantage of you in your quest to save a buck. You won’t save any money or energy if you buy products from people who make false claims. When it comes to purchasing air-conditioners, insulation, roofing and even AC services, we homeowners have to do our homework before we start writing checks. Don’t let a salesperson mislead you into spending too much or buying an ineffective product because you don’t have the facts.

 Here are a few ways homeowners get scammed when it comes to energy efficiency because of actions by sales reps.

 1. They sell you more than you need. As we gear up for another scorching Arizona summer, there are a lot of ads for companies that want to over-insulate your attic to a level of R-60, which won’t save you any more money on air-conditioning bills than the recommended R-38. In fact, there’s a good chance you don’t even need new insulation at all. Most homes have plenty of insulation, but it’s poorly installed or has been knocked out of place. Reattaching it to the floors, ceilings and walls it’s meant to protect could save you a bundle of money – both on replacement product and on energy bills.

 2. They convince you that high-tech is better than common sense. The least-expensive way to slash your energy bills is to reach for the “low-hanging fruit” in your house – small, low-cost improvements. Instead of getting hooked into buying an expensive package of multiple new systems, start your energy campaign by sealing your air-conditioner’s ducts, caulking windows and doors and checking weather stripping. Have an energy audit to determine if your attic is properly and passively ventilated and that your insulation is well-installed. That will help you more than investing thousands of dollars in optional equipment.

 3. They can’t prove the claims. It’s illegal to say a product will slash energy bills, insulate your attic or reduce heat gain without tests to back up the claim. Ask for the research….if the product has passed these tests, you can be sure the manufacturer will have that information all over its website. Bottom line, if you can’t find it? Don’t buy it.

 4. They insist bigger is better. This is a common claim when it comes to buying an air-conditioner. It used to be that bigger homes needed larger AC units. Newer homes are so tight, however, that they need far less powerful systems than older homes with lots of air leaks. Find an AC rep that will get a lot of information about your house, the weather and your family’s lifestyle – and use a computer to calculate the size of your new air-conditioner. If that’s not happening, find a different contractor.