Energy efficient homes help reduce monthly utility bills, and they also decrease your carbon footprint. Keeping your home at its most efficient requires a little foresight, and a hands-on approach.
You can increase your home’s energy efficiency with a few simple repairs and maintenance tasks. Here are the best practices to keep in mind when working on your home’s energy efficiency: Start by getting a home energy audit!
1. Install a Smart Thermostat
Smart thermostats save energy because they can automatically adjust the temperature in your home based on how many people are occupied. They also give you real-time information about your heating and cooling equipment use and energy consumption.
Some smart thermostats even learn your preferences and schedules over time to help regulate your comfort levels. This makes them more efficient than traditional programmable thermostats.
Almost half of your electricity bill comes from your heating and cooling systems, so it’s important to do whatever you can to lower your energy bills.
Smart thermostats are available from a wide variety of manufacturers and are compatible with a growing number of other smart devices. Some can also be controlled via voice commands, such as Amazon’s Alexa.
2. Replace Old Appliances
One of the best ways to save money on your energy bills is to replace old appliances with newer, more efficient ones. These are not only more affordable, but they are also more eco-friendly and can help you reduce your carbon footprint.
Appliances can be a big expense in a home, so you should consider replacing them as soon as possible if they are more than 10 to 15 years old. These older models consume much more energy than modern appliances, and can be expensive to repair.
Replacing your old appliances isn’t just an energy efficiency move – it can also be a good way to boost your home’s resale value. Many prospective homebuyers want to live in homes with energy efficient upgrades, so replacing them will help you stand out from the crowd.
3. Install Energy-Efficient Windows and Doors
A home with old, inefficient windows and doors can be a real drag on energy efficiency. They often feel drafty, and can let too much heat into a room that needs it the most.
Energy-efficient windows eliminate these problems and make a home more comfortable despite the weather outside. They also prevent frost from forming on the inside glass surface and condensation in the winter because of their ability to control humidity.
They can even reduce interior fading of paper, paint, carpeting, and wood by reducing the intensity of the sun’s rays coming through your windows. They also have special coatings that block UV rays, which are known to fade cloth and furniture.
4. Insulate Your Home
Adding insulation to your home can reduce the amount of energy your HVAC system has to work to keep your house warm in the winter and cool in the summer. This can help lower your utility bills and decrease greenhouse gas emissions.
Insulation works by slowing or blocking heat transfer, or convection. It also keeps indoor air from escaping out through the ceiling and walls and prevents moisture from building up within stud or cavity walls during cold weather.
Adding insulation to your home can improve its comfort, reduce your utility bill and improve the value of your property. It also helps keep pollutants and noise out of your home, making it a more pleasant place to live.
5. Install Energy-Efficient Lighting
Changing out old light bulbs for energy-efficient options is one of the most cost-effective and rewarding energy efficiency upgrades. It can save you $75 per year, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, and it doesn’t require infrastructure changes.
ENERGY STAR lighting solutions use up to 80% less energy than conventional light bulbs, saving money on electricity bills and helping the environment. LEDs and compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) are popular choices, but other options include traditional incandescent bulbs and halogen lamps.
Whether you’re looking to improve the aesthetics of your space or increase employee productivity, updating your lighting system is an excellent start. A high-quality lighting system will enhance the visual quality of your space, brighten rooms, and improve occupants’ moods.