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Services by electricians can quickly get expensive, but there are a few ways you can save money in the process:

• Bundle multiple jobs done at the same time to save on trip fees or flat fees for individual projects.

• Get at least three quotes for service to find the best deal.

• Buy fixtures, switches, outlets, and other materials beforehand to avoid product markup.

• If you feel comfortable with it, have an apprentice or journeyman complete the work under the supervision of a master electrician. These electricians in training tend to charge less per project.

A blower door test shouldn’t take more than an hour, and most can be completed in less than 30 minutes. Expect the test to take longer once you start searching for leaks with thermal imaging or want to include sealing such leaks in the time estimate. The test doesn’t take much time and can’t be rushed, but it will take longer in large homes or those with many air leaks.

Window AC units use a fair amount of electricity during use, but the usage pales in comparison to central units. As a matter of fact, window units use around a third of the amount of energy as a central AC. On average, a window air conditioner costs between $15 and $40 per month to run, though this depends on a number of external factors.

R-value is a measurement that dictates how much resistance an insulation material has against heat flow—or how well it can stop heat from coming and going. A higher R-value, which is attributed to thicker and more dense materials, means the better the insulation performs. There is not one universal recommended value. It depends on climate zones. For example, Alaska, which has a naturally cold and arctic climate, has higher R-value recommendations than the hot and humid Hawaii.