What is the most cost-effective way to reduce my 1920s vintage homes energy use?
That depends on how much energy it is using right now, how much you want to reduce your energy use, and how much you are willing to invest at your personal “cost-effective” criteria. The most cost effective way to reduce energy for any building is to take a look at your personal habits and your personal perception of your comfort level, which are by far the largest determinant in energy use for any building. It is totally free to adjust the thermostat setting down in the winter and up in the summer. For example, depending on the weather and your particular home design and heating/cooling system you can lower your energy costs by 3-14% for every degree you move up on your summer thermostat from 72 degrees. Thats a lot of money for simply adjusting the thermostat. Another easy habit in the summer is to try to cook outdoor on the grill rather than indoors in the oven or on the stove, thereby not heating up the home. For your old home, you probably dont have insulation or double-paned wind
