If you are thinking about renovating your home or updating appliances, one of the most important things you should focus on is making energy-efficient home improvements to reduce your energy consumption.
This is especially true if your home is more than a few decades old, as it is likely using up more electricity and power than it needs to. With new smart technology, energy-efficient design considerations, and a few new habits, it’s easy to have a more energy-efficient home.
In fact, there are a variety of cost-effective ways you can make your household a more energy-efficient space, from installing new windows to having curtains installed in each and every room. While all of your options might seem a little bit staggering, this guide provides a few helpful recommendations to make energy-efficient home improvements to any space!
5 Cheap And Easy Energy Efficient Home Improvements
One of the unexpected benefits that come with reducing your carbon footprint through energy-efficient home improvements is lowering your monthly utility bills. Also, you don’t need to break the bank in order to have an energy-efficient home.
Stop spending absurd amounts of money on wasted energy with a few simple changes you can handle yourself or with the help of a trained HVAC professional.
Here are a few tips for creating an energy-efficient home:
1.) Upgrade your light bulbs to LEDs and turn your lights off. While this might be a simplistic solution, it is one that will prove to be the most effective. Use natural light when possible, especially during the summer when the days are longer. Lighting accounts for approximately 12% of a typical residential utility bill, so a small change can save you some change each month.
2.) Install a programmable thermostat and use your ceiling fan. This tip requires a mix between a home upgrade and a minor shift in your habits. Consider a digital programmable thermostat that you adjust to automatically turn up or down the air when you’re not home.
Turn your thermostat up as much as possible in the summer and as low as possible in the winter so your system doesn’t have to work overtime to regulate the temperature in your home. Utilize your ceiling fan too! Simply turning on your ceiling fan can make the room feel cooler by approximately four degrees Fahrenheit. During cooler months, make sure the fan is switched to the winter setting, which can make the room feel warmer.
3.) Turn down the temperature on your water heater. If you want to drastically cut down on the money you spend each month on utilities, start by taking a look at your home’s hot water system. The easiest way to do this is by turning down the temperature and keeping it around 120 degrees Fahrenheit. This is the target temperature, as this will keep the water hot without wasting energy. Also, if you start washing your clothes in cold water you’ll definitely see a huge difference in your utility bill at the end of the month.
In addition, one little known fact is that the pipes going to and from the machine should be well-insulated to minimize heat loss. Also, if your hot water heater is more than 10 years old, you should consider investing in a new one to increase home energy efficiency.
4.) Choose energy-efficient windows and window treatments. These days, there are many different types of windows that can be installed in your home. Windows are designed to last at least a decade but over time their ability to effectively insulate your home decreases.
Check to see what kind of windows your home has, especially if the windows are on the side of your home in direct sunlight during an extended period of time during the day. If you end up having single-pane windows, consider replacing them with energy-efficient windows.
Energy efficiency and stylish interior design don’t have to be mutually exclusive! After you make sure your windows are keeping your cool or warm air in your home, consider adding window treatments. Curtains, shades, or blinds can block the sun’s rays from beating directly into your home. It’s important to note that material and color are important factors in determining the energy efficiency of the window treatments, so do your research before making a purchase.
5.) Schedule an HVAC tune-up. Did you know that annual cooling and heating inspections can save you thousands of dollars throughout the duration of your HVAC’s lifespan? A certified HVAC technician will have trained eyes to catch issues in your system like worn components or clogged filters that cause your system to work harder than it’s designed to.
Additionally, a yearly check-up on your system can maximize the lifespan of your HVAC system by ensuring parts get the proper tender love and care that they need. You can extend the lifespan of your system by several years if you contract a trusted local HVAC team that ensures parts are properly lubricated, coils are cleaned, AC drain lines are flushed, and connections are tightened in your system.
Trust John C. Flood To Improve Your Home’s Energy Efficiency
If you are interested in remodeling or renovating your home to make energy-efficient home improvements, trust John C. Flood with the job! We offer a wide range of services that will make your household more environmentally-friendly and save you money.
We’ve been in business for over 100 years, so we’ve seen how far energy-efficient appliances have come over the years. Our promise is to only recommend products and energy-efficient home improvements that will improve the comfort of your home. Are you ready to start saving? Call John C. Flood at F:P:Sub:Phone} or contact us online with any questions today!
