The pendulum of energy use rest largely on prices, but the conservation of North American energy Inventory, from state to state, is equally important. Recent data shows 21 percent of the energy that is consumed by Americas is from the residential sector. In addition, residents emit about 20% of the Carbon Dioxide in the air. (U.S. Energy Information Administration)

As we became more aware of our impact on earth, the need to “go green” became a wide spread movement in America. Thus, today’s homeowner has access to many different energy efficient devices. Items such as solar panels for your roof and solar powered sprinklers systems controlled by the weather forecast are innovative products designed to make your daily home upkeep more energy efficient. In fact, energy efficiency will become a top concern for residential sector in the years to come (Annual Energy Outlook). Which is why we’ve outlined t three reasons why you should consider making renovations to your home to increase energy efficiency.

1. Energy Tax Credit

One reason, ascending in popularity, is the Energy Tax credit. Teresa Mears, a contributor to U.S. News and World Report, notes homeowners can get a tax credit of up to $500 for making energy efficient home improvements. Along with the Energy Tax Credit extension for 2015, a separate Residential Energy Efficient Property Credit gives credits of up to 30 percent for qualifying alternative energy improvements. So whether you want to replace your windows, roof, and air conditioning system, or add a windmill in your back yard, there is a tax credit for that.

2. Consider the ROI

secondly, consider the return on your investment. I recently purchased a NEST thermostat. Before the purchase, my utility bill for both gas and electric was roughly $200 a month. After purchasing, installing and operating the NEST thermostat for the first three months, I noticed an average of $50 in savings in comparison to my utility bill around the same time last year. Within five months, the investment paid for itself. Ecobee, a Canadian company specializing in Wi-Fi-enabled devices, explains that heating and cooling costs account for 40% to 50% of a typical home’s overall energy costs. Smart devices such as this one will not garner any of the energy tax credits extended to America citizens, but they are proven to save money almost immediately. Visit Energy.gov for more information on energy tax credits.

3. Energy Efficient Customer Perks

The third reason, and it has been a long time coming, is customer loyalty programs. More utility companies are now offering their version of Delta Sky Miles; only this program measures kilowatt-hours and energy conserved. The benefits of such programs help to offset demand on the power grid, says Bernard Neenan, a technical executive at the Electric Power Research institute. To accurately measure energy usage, utility companies are installing smart meters. These meters track daily usage rather than monthly usage. These meters do not require a technician to visit your home to check the meter.

Currently, 30% of U.S. households use smart meters, and 75% will by 2016, according to NPD In-Stat. Be mindful that opting for the smart meter is a choice, and a requirement to participate in most loyalty programs offered by your utility company.

Traditional energy sources are finite. Alternative energy sources are both infinite and rather expensive initially. The average head of household has to decide how they are going to conserve energy. Making the decision to make your home more energy efficient protects the environment, drives energy costs down and saves you money.