8 Easy Ways to Improve the Energy-Efficiency in Your Home
Whether you own a beautiful, new home or live in a house that has been standing for several decades, there are many upgrades and other tactics you can utilize to conserve your energy use. Unfortunately, homes in the United States use a significant amount of energy.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, households account for more than 21% of all energy use in the United States. Much of this energy is consumed for heating and cooling use. Lighting, water heating, and electronics all consume a significant amount of energy as well. No matter the size of your home, its location, and even your lifestyle, there are many ways to improve the energy efficiency in your home. Let’s take a look at eight of them.
1. Upgrade Your Insulation
High-quality insulation keeps your home cool during the summer months and traps in the heat during those unwanted cold spells. There are many types of insulation to choose from and some are more ideal for certain homes than others. The key is to have the insulation properly installed. If not, there may be large holes or gaps where the cool or hot air can escape. This means consuming more energy to heat or cool down your home.
2. Replace Your Light Bulbs
If you have an older home, you may have many incandescent light bulbs installed throughout your living space. Unfortunately, this type of bulb requires much more electricity than others. In return, it affects your energy bill. To remedy this, replace all the lights throughout your home with LED bulbs. These products are 90% more energy-efficient than incandescent bulbs, last long periods of time, and are easy to control. Plus, you can replace all the bulbs throughout your home in an afternoon and immediately notice the difference.
3. Update Your Skylight
Skylight replacement in your San Diego home not only improves the energy-efficiency in your house but also creates a more beautiful, aesthetically appealing look. Over time, these products can crack or become cloudy and difficult to see out of. When you choose to replace your skylights, the seals are tightened, reducing the risk of moisture and unwanted air seeping through your home. In addition, it increases the natural lighting in your San Diego home.
4. Install a Programmable Thermostat
If your home currently does not have a programmable thermostat, now is the time to install one. These products give you more control in the heating and cooling of your house. Program your home so your air conditioning unit only runs during certain times of the day and not while you are on vacation, at work, and many other scenarios.
Some advanced products can even be controlled from your mobile device, making them more convenient and accessible. Even better, a high-quality product will not cost you a fortune or break your budget but will be an incredible upgrade.
5. Unplug All Unused Electronics
Did you know that you consume a significant amount of energy by leaving unused appliances plugged in? Even when these items are not in use, they still consume power and energy while in standby mode. This means that when you are not using these products, you should make it a habit to unplug them.
This is particularly important for appliances and items that use a substantial amount of energy such as microwaves, computers, TVs, etc. If you will not be using the appliances for several days or are going on a long vacation, unplugging them should be on your to-do list.
6. Install Energy-Efficient Appliances
Your home’s appliances are some of the greatest consumers of energy. This is particularly true for any older models. Luckily today, many new home appliances boast energy-saving features which help conserve energy use. No matter what type of appliance you are looking for in your home, consider those that are Energy Star-certified. Also, if you have any appliances that are reaching the end of their lifespans, consider replacing products that consume the most energy first. A few of these products include:
- Air conditioner
- Water heater
- Washer and dryer
- Refrigerator
- Oven
- Dishwasher
7. Replace Old Windows
One of the most effective things you can do to conserve energy — but also one of the most expensive — is to replace the windows throughout your home with energy-efficient products. If you have older windows such as those with aluminum frames or are single-paned, you may be losing a lot of your home’s cooling and heating. While windows can be expensive, they will greatly improve your home’s value and you will receive a high return on your investment, making them worthwhile.
Additionally, take the time to look for potential rebates and grants to help pay for energy-efficient windows throughout your home. There are many options and this simple upgrade can save you a significant amount of energy and money on your utility bill each month. Plus, new windows can be aesthetically appealing and very attractive to the overall appearance of your home’s interior and exterior.
8. Receive an Energy Audit
If you want to know which areas of your home you can improve on and where you are consuming and losing the most energy, you can schedule an energy audit. This is when a professional walks through your home and evaluates it based on the energy-efficiency of the features, condition of the items, etc. They will provide you with a customized report of things you can change and upgrades you can make that will prove most effective in lowering your energy consumption.
Consuming less energy throughout your home doesn’t require an entire change of your lifestyle and your day-to-day activities. By implementing the above eight tips into your home, you will notice a significant increase in energy as well as an increase of money in your pocket from saving on your utility bill each month. We think this is definitely a win-win.
To make your home as energy efficient as possible, consider upgrading to natural daylighting. To also save money on AC bills, you can give solar ventilation a try. Call our experts today for more information.