Looking to make your home more efficient and reduce your natural gas bills? These upgrades can have the most impact.

Energy-efficiency upgrades can save you money, but where’s the best place to start? Space heating and water heating are the largest users of natural gas in the typical home, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

So, if you’re looking to improve the energy performance of your home, it would best to focus on these areas. The following upgrades will have a significant impact on reducing your energy bills and making your home more comfortable.

1. High-efficiency space heating

If your natural gas furnace or boiler is older or in need of repair, consider upgrading to a newer, more efficient unit. You’ll not only significantly reduce your natural gas bills, but your new unit will help keep you more comfortable.

Make sure your new system is ENERGY STAR®-certified. ENERGY STAR natural gas furnaces and boilers are independently tested to use less energy while still providing great performance. Pensacola Energy offers up to $800 in rebates when you add a new natural gas heating system to your home.

2. Smart thermostats

Programmable thermostats automatically adjust the temperature of your home to save energy while maintaining comfort. Today’s smart models offer advanced features such as self-programming, geofencing and remote control.

3. Well-insulated and sealed attic

A poorly insulated attic lets rising warm air escape during cold weather and allows unwelcome hot air to radiate into your home during summer. Contact a qualified insulation contractor to inspect your attic and ensure that it is properly insulated.

Look for common locations of attic air leaks, including: dropped soffits, under knee walls, wiring and piping holes, recessed lights, furnace flues and chimneys. Seal any gaps you find with caulk or expanding foam insulation, both readily available at your local DIY retailer.

4. High-performance windows

A lot of energy and comfort can be lost through windows, especially if you have older, single-pane models. By upgrading to ENERGY STAR-certified high-performance models, you can significantly reduce your energy costs and make your home more comfortable.

ENERGY STAR windows include advanced features that make them more energy efficient. These include quality frame materials and multiple panes, insulating gas fills between panes and special coatings that reflect light, keeping heat in during winter and out during summer.

5. High-performance water heating

Water heating is another big energy user, and an older, inefficient water heater can send plenty of your energy dollars down the drain. ENERGY STAR natural gas storage water heaters use better insulation, heat traps and improved combustion to be, on average, 10% more efficient than standard units.

Natural gas tankless water heaters are another option. They are even more efficient than storage models and are compact in size, providing flexibility in tight spaces. Tankless units, however, can be more expensive to purchase and install. Pensacola Energy offers up to $1,200 in rebates when you add a new natural gas water heater to your home.

Home energy efficiency improvements, such as natural gas furnaces, water heaters and high-performance windows, may be eligible for federal tax credits. Credit amounts and eligibility varies depending on the type of improvement. See this Internal Revenue Service website for more information.

To learn more about Pensacola Energy’s rebates and adding natural gas appliances to your home, call 850-436-5050 or visit PensacolaEnergy.com