Your home provides more than just a safe place to raise your family; it’s also an investment in the future. Making it energy efficient ensures that you don’t lose money in the long run, as you won’t have to shell out money to heat or cool the house every year. With these seven tips on how to make your home more energy efficient, you can keep your family safe and comfortable without busting your budget.
Get an energy audit
Many people don’t realise how much energy their home is wasting. An energy audit will help you pinpoint where your home is losing energy and what changes you can make to be more efficient. Get a professional energy audit. This is the best way to determine where your home is losing energy and what changes you need to make. Check for air leaks. Draughty windows and doors can let a lot of heat escape from your home, making your furnace work overtime to keep you comfortable. Thus, a monthly energy audit can help you identify the best product before buying a furnace.
Get energy efficient windows and doors
You can save money and energy by getting energy efficient windows and doors. If you’re buying new windows, consider their R-value – the higher the better. If you’re buying a new door, look for one with at least 0.75 U-factor or better. For existing doors, try painting them with an insulating material like styrofoam beads or fibreglass insulation. Put storm windows on your exterior walls during winter months so they don’t heat up from the sun’s rays. Consider installing solar screens (heavy-duty shades made of fabric or vinyl coated with solar reflective material). Turn off lights when you leave the room or go to bed; use LED bulbs; set your thermostat at 68 degrees Fahrenheit when it’s not occupied.
Insulate attics, basements, and crawl spaces
These are some of the most common places in your home where heat is lost. By insulating these areas, you can keep your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer, which will help reduce your energy bills.
Fix air leaks around pipes, wires, and ducts
By caulking and weather-stripping holes and cracks around doors, windows, and baseboards, you can prevent air leaks. You can also use gaskets and insulation to seal air leaks around pipes, wires, and ducts. These simple fixes will make your home more comfortable and save you money on your energy bills.
Upgrade appliances
Older appliances tend to use more energy and end up being less effective than the newer ones. So, if you can tell your refrigerator is costing you more money, it might be wise to sell it off and invest in a new one. It may seem like you are investing a lot of money when you first upgrade your appliances, however, in the long run it can be much more cost-effective.
Consider geothermal systems
Geothermal systems are one of the most efficient ways to heat and cool your home. They work by using the earth’s natural heat to exchange energy with your home. Geothermal systems can save you up to 80% on your heating and cooling costs, and they’re also environmentally friendly. If you’re looking for a way to make your home more energy efficient, geothermal systems are a great option.
Add solar panels
Solar panels are a great way to make your home more energy efficient. They can be used to generate electricity, which can then be used to power your home. Solar panels can also be used to heat water, providing hot water for your home. Additionally, solar panels can be used to cool your home, making it more comfortable during the summer months. Finally, solar panels can help you save money on your energy bill, as they can provide free electricity for your home.
Photo: R ARCHITECTURE, Unsplash