News 18 Investigates: Paying little to nothing for electricity

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - More people are going green today than ever before. Some for environmental reasons, others to save money.

Green isn't just a color these days, it's a lifestyle. A lifestyle the Tishmack family knows very well.

"When you look at the different things we do, we grew up that way," Energy efficient home owner Jody Tishmack said. "So, part of it is, we're used to this and we think it's a good lifestyle."

Their Lafayette home is equipped with all tricks of the energy-saving trade.

Leaving lights off, using energy efficient light bulbs, and even geothermal heating and cooling. Really, everything from the blinds to the landscaping is designed with energy saving in mind.

They even have an $80,000 solar photovoltaic system that makes the Tishmacks' electricity.

The home actually sends power to the grid during months of low energy usage.

Their electricity log over the last year shows several months when their home actually produced more energy than it used, spinning their electric meter backward!

Many who live in an average home worry they can't afford the energy-saving changes or would have trouble adapting as well as the Tishmacks.

Experts say, you can start by making subtle improvements to save a little energy at a time, and the investment will grow and eventually pay off.

"By going green and becoming more sustainable, you don't have to make a huge capital investment," Energy expert Ben Townsend said. "You can meet somewhere in the middle so it makes sense for you and your family the sustainability of your home."

"Change is always something different, so if it's something different you have to work at it," Tishmack said. "Once you've gotten it down, and it becomes habit, it's no longer a change; it's a lifestyle. You can continue to do that without much energy actually."

Friday on News 18 at 6 and 11, we visit a more typical home and point out some of the most common culprits of high electric bills.

You'll want to make sure to tune in because we offer easy and cheap tips that could save you a huge fraction of your utility bills.