A Reddit user confessed they fell victim to a common mistake during the homebuying process that cost them serious cash. However, a spring upgrade helped set things right.
The scoop
"I admit to messing up on this part of the home buying process," the poster wrote, sharing a chart of their monthly energy usage. When they purchased the house, they said they asked the previous owners how much they paid in dollars rather than how many kilowatt-hours they used.
With energy prices expected to rise at least through this year and likely beyond, that proved to be a costly mistake. Relying on electric resistance radiators, the house consumed 2,504 kWh to 4,297 kWh of electricity per month from December 2024 through last March.
"I was so shocked," they explained. They said they called the grid and "was basically asking if they mistakenly gave me the neighborhoods usage."
In April, the homeowner installed heat pumps after increasing their attic insulation from 5 inches to 15. Their kWh usage dropped dramatically.
How it's helping
As long as your house remains at a comfortable temperature, you might not think about your HVAC — at least until the bill is due. TCD's HVAC Explorer can help you understand your HVAC options and save up to 50% on your energy bills.
When it comes to how much you pay for energy, the type of HVAC you have does make a difference. Heat pumps operate much more efficiently than gas boilers and electric resistance systems, meaning you could be leaving hundreds of dollars on the table without one.
Smart upgrades that slash monthly energy bills
Today, you have a wealth of HVAC options.
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However, getting started on your energy-saving journey may feel overwhelming. TCD makes it easy to find the right system for your home and budget.
• Mitsubishi can help you find efficient heating and cooling solutions for your home and connect you with trusted installers
• Not ready to spend up front? Palmetto's $0-down HVAC leasing program can lower your energy costs by up to 50%
• TCD's HVAC Explorer makes it easy to access exclusive offers from preferred partners
Preferred partner Palmetto has HVAC leasing plans that start as low as $99 per month and could also save you money over the lifetime of your system with 12 years of free maintenance.
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Do you think your energy bills are too high? Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. |
Always 👍 Yet as crucial as the heat pump was to the original poster getting their energy usage back on track, the "wow" effect would likely have been somewhat diminished without their savvy decision to level up on insulation.
Similarly, pairing solar with electric appliances could further lower energy costs. TCD's Solar Explorer will connect you with vetted providers who save you up to $10,000 on installations. You could earn up to $5,000 for home upgrades with the free Palmetto Home app.
What everyone's saying
Other Redditors were filled with praise and advice.
"I have a similar situation to you, moved into a poorly insulated house with electric baseboard heating, switched to heat pumps earlier," one shared. "Way cheaper than last year."
"Time to go solar," another said.
"That insulation made huge difference," a third Reddit user enthused.
Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips to save more, waste less, and make smarter choices — and earn up to $5,000 toward clean upgrades in TCD's exclusive Rewards Club.
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