A born salesman, John understands the importance of a bottom line. That’s why John received a home energy audit last March and is now living proof that an audit can be the first step to not only becoming more energy efficient, but also to saving a lot of money. “The bill was the bottom line,” he says, and with the information from his audit, John was able to make changes throughout his house that had a huge effect on his energy bill. He winterized his home—insulating the attic, walls and windows--, and replaced all his traditional light bulbs with energy efficient CFLs. “I had no idea how much money I was throwing down the drain,” he says. John even invested in a new, more energy efficient furnace that cut his bill in half. 

Although he paid more for some of these changes up front, John points out that he actually saved money in the end. He uses the CFLs as an example, explaining that he used to pay $1.99 for 13 regular bulbs, but now he gladly pays $3.50 for just one CFL bulb because in a month he’ll get the money back. “It’s just a smart investment,” he says. Now, with $225 in savings each month, John is using his sales skills to promote these money-saving changes to other New Yorkers, “I think that every house in New York State should get them,” he says.