Renovating or remodeling a home is an excellent opportunity to make your house more comfortable, transform its look and feel and increase its resale value. Prioritizing energy efficiency in these projects is also a great way to save money on utility bills.
A home energy assessment (also called an audit) is the first step to determine where your house is wasting energy. From there, there are a number of cost-effective improvements you can make.
1. Insulation
Insulation is one of the most important and cost-effective home improvements you can make, try asking the team at DGEC. It can lower your energy bills dramatically and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It helps your heating and cooling systems work more efficiently, which saves you money year-round. And it provides a comfortable living environment, helping to keep your house at a more consistent temperature throughout the year.
Insulating your home is an essential part of achieving and maintaining energy efficiency, but it’s not a standalone solution. The first step is to have a professional conduct a comprehensive home energy assessment, which will include testing for air leaks, which are usually around windows, dryer vents, attics and ducts. Sealing these leaks is vital for improving your comfort and reducing your energy bills, as it will prevent cold air from coming in during the winter and hot air from escaping in the summer, as well as preventing moisture problems that could affect your health and the safety of your home.
The most effective and cost-efficient way to improve your home’s insulation is by adding bulk insulation. Bradford’s cellulose insulation, SANCTUARY, is made from recycled paper and has been certified as a green product by the EPA’s ENERGY STAR program. It can be used in both new and existing homes and will help reduce energy costs, create a more comfortable living environment, and reduce carbon footprints when installed properly.
Essentially, insulation is like a thermal blanket that keeps heat inside during the winter and out during the summer, reducing your need to use heaters or air conditioners to maintain a comfortable temperature. It also minimises acoustic transfer between rooms and reduces unwanted noise from outside.
It is a smart addition to any building, from a traditional brick home to a log cabin or manufactured home. And as an added bonus, a properly-installed home insulation package can qualify you for tax incentives from the government.
At GreenHomes, we’ve found that insulation is a top priority for homeowners, especially when they have trouble with hot or cold rooms, high energy bills, or drafts and sagging floors. A properly insulated home can solve many discomforts, and the investment in insulation typically pays for itself in energy savings within just a few years.
2. Windows
Windows are often the biggest source of heat loss in a home, allowing cold winter air and hot summer sun to seep inside and increase your heating and cooling bills. Replacing them with energy efficient windows will help to minimize this problem. These windows use multiple panes of glass with insulating gas fills and low-emissivity coatings to limit heat transfer. They also help to block harmful UV rays that can deteriorate furniture, artwork, flooring and other valuable belongings over time.
The insulating properties of energy efficient windows make it possible to keep the interior temperature constant, reducing the workload of your heating and cooling systems. This reduces the demand for electricity and fossil fuels, which lowers your energy consumption and helps to protect the environment.
Another benefit of replacing your old windows with ENERGY STAR-rated models is that you may be eligible for tax deductions or credits. These programs are aimed at incentivizing energy-efficient upgrades and can significantly reduce the cost of the new windows. A professional installer can help you identify the best energy efficiency options available for your home, and can assist with completing all the required paperwork for any applicable tax credits or deductions.
Energy-efficient windows are an investment in your home’s comfort and can increase its value. However, they will also help to reduce your monthly utility bills and save you money on future heating and cooling costs. In addition, they are designed to last longer than traditional windows and have a lower maintenance requirement.
Aside from reducing your carbon footprint and energy consumption, installing energy-efficient windows is one of the most effective ways to cut down on your household expenses. Replacing single-pane windows with ENERGY STAR-rated alternatives can save you an average of $101 per year, and cuts down on 1,006-6,205 lb of CO2 emissions per year. This is a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and contributes to environmental conservation. Moreover, homes with ENERGY STAR-rated windows tend to sell faster and at a higher price than those without these features. This makes them a great choice for anyone who is looking to increase the resale value of their property.
3. Appliances
Using more energy-efficient appliances and following simple household tips can reduce your utility bills significantly. This saves you money, increases energy security, reduces pollution and lessens your impact on climate change. In addition to energy-efficient refrigerators and washing machines, consider replacing old lights with ENERGY STAR LED bulbs, and unplugging any electronics that aren’t in use or charging. It’s also a good idea to invest in a heat pump. Compared to traditional furnaces and air conditioning systems, heat pumps are more efficient, and they can heat and cool your home at the same time.
Whether it’s a new thermostat or a more efficient dishwasher, you can greatly reduce your energy usage by choosing ENERGY STAR appliances and upgrading your existing ones to models that are federally rated for efficiency. These products may have a higher sticker price, but they will save you money on your utility bill every year.
Many utility companies offer free or low-cost home energy assessments. These are valuable, comprehensive home evaluations that will help identify areas of energy waste and recommend cost-effective improvements. During an assessment, an experienced contractor will visit your home to test for leaks and assess the current state of insulation, heating, cooling, and water heaters, as well as other factors that contribute to your energy usage.
The most common sources of energy waste in a home include the refrigerator, oven, clothes dryer, dishwasher and lighting. The good news is that these energy-saving strategies are easy to implement and will make a significant difference in your electric bills.
Try using cold water when washing dishes or clothes and turning off the dishwasher when not in use. On sunny winter days, open your curtains or blinds to let the sun’s rays warm your house naturally. And be sure to clean the lint filter in your dryer after each load. It’s also important to remember that some electronic devices consume electricity even when they are turned off, an effect known as standby power or phantom energy consumption. Keeping these devices unplugged or using a power strip to shut off multiple items at once can greatly reduce your household’s energy consumption and lower your utility bills.
4. Heating & Cooling
Home heating and cooling use the most energy of any part of the average house, which contributes to high utility bills. Fortunately, there are many ways to improve your home’s energy efficiency with simple changes.
Installing insulation and air sealing can make your home more comfortable while lowering energy costs. A well-maintained, efficient furnace and central air conditioning system also cuts energy usage. And programmable thermostats can save up to 10% on your home’s cooling costs by automatically adjusting the temperature to be lower at night and rising before you get up.
Use Natural Shade and Sunlight
If you have window coverings, close them during the hottest parts of the day to keep cool air from escaping and let the sun’s rays naturally heat your home. This can reduce your cooling bills by 5% or more, according to Atmos Energy.
Unplug Electronics
Electronic devices and appliances draw on energy even when they are turned off. This is known as “sneaky” energy consumption and accounts for up to 75% of household electricity usage. Unplugging electronics and appliances will help you shave dollars off your power bill.
Avoid Water Waste
While a hot shower or bath is nice, overusing hot and warm water can wreak havoc on your energy efficiency. By using cold water for washing clothes, dishes, and bathing you can cut your energy costs.
Clean Your Filter
An air filter that is dirty can force your system to work harder to do its job, which will increase your energy usage and decrease its lifespan. Cleaning your filter is a simple and cost-effective way to reduce your energy bills.
Work with an Energy Assessor
If your home is not as energy-efficient as you’d like, a professional can evaluate the home’s structure and systems. The energy assessor will determine where your home is losing its energy, and provide recommendations for improvement. Among the most important tips for improving home energy efficiency is to invest in an energy audit, which is often available for free from your utility company.
If you are building a new home or remodeling your current home, energy efficiency should be in mind from the start. Not only will you save money on your energy bills, but you’ll be reducing the carbon footprint of your home and contributing to the world’s climate change solution.