How to Make Your Home
More Energy Efficient
Being a homeowner comes with a lot of costs and
responsibilities. There are some easy ways to cut costs by making your home
more energy efficient. There are several suggestions below for easy and
low-cost options, as well as some higher cost investments for long-term
savings.
Energy Audit
To begin, we highly recommend completing an
energy audit on your home. Many utility companies will conduct an energy audit
at little or no cost to you. An energy audit helps you quickly identify what
needs to be updated or replaced. You can go a step further and hire a
professional contractor to analyze your home, then compare the results to your
monthly utility bills. The contractor will provide you with a list of
recommendations to improve your home’s energy efficiency and lower your costs.
Your Realtor may have some contractor recommendations for this type of
service.
SHORT-TERM SAVINGS:
Looking to make an immediate impact and lower
your utility bills? The following recommendations are simple and can be
implemented almost immediately.
Check Your Insulation
One of the first steps is to check your home’s
insulation, starting with the attic. Adding new or additional insulation to
your home (attic, ceiling, walls, crawl spaces, garage, etc.) will help more
easily regulate the house temperature.
Close Vents
Be sure to close vents in unoccupied or less
used rooms. This can save up to 20 percent on heating or cooling costs.
Caulking And Weather Stripping
Check your caulking and weather stripping around
doors and windows. It is simple to replace caulking and weather stripping and
can save you lots on your energy bill.
Use The Sun To Your Advantage
An easy and no-cost solution is to utilize the
sun to your advantage. In the summer, close shades on the southern and eastern
windows during the day to help keep the home cool. Keep the shades in those
rooms closed in rooms that are not used. In the winter open shades in rooms
facing south or east to help heat the home during the day.
Install A Programmable Thermostat
By installing a thermostat that you can program,
you can control the home’s temperature during periods when no one is home. This
can save as much as 10 percent a year on your energy costs.
Use Fluorescent Bulbs
Switch your incandescent bulbs to compact
fluorescent bulbs (CFL bulbs). Although CFL bulbs seem to cost more initially,
they last up to 12 times longer than incandescent bulbs, resulting in
considerable savings over time.
Use Appliances Efficiently
Minimize your energy use by minimizing your
appliance use. Simple changes can really add up to big savings. Being aware of
how you are using your appliances can help save on your energy bill.
- Set your refrigerator and freezer to the recommended
energy-efficient settings (37 degrees for refrigerator, 3 degrees for
freezer)
- Run the dishwasher when it is full, not half full
- Do full loads of laundry, not smaller loads
- Turn off lights when you leave a room, and consider
using fewer lights when in a room
- Unplug appliances that are not often used or when you
travel and are away from home
- Unplug home computers and monitors when not in use
- Unplug battery chargers when not in use
- Set your thermostat to a lower temperature at night
when you are sleeping and at times of the day when you are away from the
home
LONG-TERM SAVINGS:
Some of the following recommendations require a
bit more of an investment, but are highly recommended for long-term savings.
Check Your Water Heater
Set the water heater temperature to 140 degrees.
Newer water heaters may automatically set to 140 degrees. It is also
recommended that you insulate the hot water lines to help keep the heated water
hot. If your water heater is older, you may consider replacing the unit with an
Energy Star-rated water heater - especially if you will be in the home for
several years.
Check Your Furnace
There are several things you can do to help make
your furnace more energy efficient.
- Replace Your Filter: Homeowners often forget to check
and replace their air filter. For homes with a pet, it is recommended to
replace the filter every 60 days. A home without pets can go as long as 90
days before replacing the filter. If you own a second home or vacation
home and do not have frequent guests or visits, it is recommended to
replace the filter every 6 months.
- Seal Your Ducts: Help the air flow to the intended
destination through the duct work without losing the heated or cooled air
along the way.
- Install An Energy Efficient Furnace: If you will be in
the home for many more years, you may consider replacing your old furnace
with an Energy Star-rated furnace. The upfront cost will pay for itself
over time.
Replace Old Appliances
Larger old appliances can suck a lot of energy.
It is wise to replace old appliances with new, Energy Star efficient
appliances. Look at it as an investment in money-saving appliances. Check with
your local recycling centers to remove the old appliances as many have toxic
chemicals that should not go to the landfill, such as the freon refrigerant in
refrigerators. Also, check with your local utilities to see if they are
offering any financial incentives for upgrading appliances to Energy Star-rated
appliances. There may be an opportunity to earn back some of your investment
through these incentive programs.
Replace Windows
Windows are a major source of heat loss. If you
are going to be in a home for a number of years, it is advisable to upgrade
your windows or replace them entirely to ensure great energy efficiency for
your home. Below are some common window upgrade recommendations:
- Tint your windows from the inside
- Upgrade from aluminum frames to vinyl frames
- Double-panes or triple-panes are more energy efficient
than single-pane windows
- Replace old windows with Energy Star-rated windows for
the most energy savings
Install Solar Panels
Probably the largest upfront investment of any
of the recommendations here, solar panels can drastically cut energy costs in
your home. You will want to be in your home for several years to recoup the
investment cost. Check with your local power utility company to see if they
will allow you to sell power back to their grid, as some utility companies have
such programs in place. In some areas, solar panels may increase the home
value. Ask your Realtor if such an investment may raise your home value in your area.
Consider Your Landscaping
Strategically planting shade trees in your yard
and around your home can reduce your energy bill by blocking the heat of the
sun during summer or the chill of the wind during colder months. If your tree
drops leaves during the fall or winter seasons, the warmth from the sun will
help keep the home warm. Remember to call your utility companies before you dig
to ensure there are no underground utility lines. And, if planting in your park
strip, reminder that this may be owned by the city or county, and you may need
to consult your local government office or city planning office to confirm
which types of trees or plants are permitted in your area. Finally, a water
wise tip to consider is xeriscaping your yard to avoid heavy water use
throughout the spring/summer/fall.
Install A Rainwater Collection System
Collecting rainwater from the home runoff is a
water wise tip to lower water usage and water costs. The collected rainwater
can be used for irrigation needs, such as watering your lawn, garden, and
plants. Be sure to check with your local city planning office to ensure you can
legally capture rainwater, as some areas do not allow private rainwater
collection systems.
CONCLUSION:
Being energy efficient is easy. Once you know
your home’s inefficiencies, you can decide which areas of the home need
attention. Being aware of your own energy use and knowing the areas of your
home that can be upgraded or replaced sets you up for major cost savings. Make
the changes that you can and upgrade or replace the items that are needed to
lower your energy use and decrease your utility bills.
Remember to check for tax incentives and take
advantage of any special offers and incentives from your local government,
city, utility companies, or local non-profits to reduce your overall
out-of-pocket expense. That’s more money in your pocket!
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