VWB Blog Are you planning on remodeling your home in the near future? Are you thinking of making home improvements that will save you money on your energy bill?
Making your house more energy-efficient is a great idea. Not only will you save money, but you’ll also be helping to protect the environment.
However, this guide can provide you with the insight you need to make your new home not just look good but also be good for the environment.
If you are planning on creating an energy-efficient home, there are a few key areas that you need to focus on. Keep reading to learn more.
Insulation Upgrades
Adding insulation to ceilings, walls, basements, and attics helps to keep heated and cooled air in the house and lowers energy bills. There are several types of insulation upgrades, such as blown-in cellulose, spray foam, and flexible foam.
In addition to insulation, air-leakage sealing around the home can be done to reduce the amount of air that escapes. This sealing can be done around windows and doors and in gaps between floor and wall boards.
Window Replacements
Replacing windows with double or triple-glazed options can reduce heat transfer, resulting in a much more comfortable living space. Low E or low emissivity glass coating equally reduces energy costs by reflecting heat and UV light.
Argon or krypton gas-filled windows are also a great energy-efficient alternative as they help retain heat in the winter and keep it out in the summer. Combined with an insulated window frame both options will provide an ideal environment for your home as well as help reduce energy costs.
Energy Efficient Doors
The most common type of doors is storm doors and double-pane windows. Storm doors are designed to keep out draughts and prevent cold air from entering your home. Double-pane windows can help reduce heat loss, as the two panes of glass form an insulated barrier, trapping warm air inside.
Additionally, energy-efficient doors can help lower your home’s overall energy costs by blocking out the sun’s rays and further reducing heat loss.
Programmable Thermostats
It allows homeowners to create custom settings for varying temperatures during different parts of the day, like during when the house is occupied and when it is occupied. This saves energy when the thermostat is adjusted to a lower temperature while the occupants are away or sleeping, and then raised to a comfortable temperature when the home is occupied again.
Programmable thermostats can help lower overall energy usage and reduce energy bills, making this type of home improvement particularly beneficial.
Solar Panels
Solar panels are an effective energy-efficient solution for any home, whether an existing or a newly constructed home, due to the numerous advantages they provide. By converting sunlight into usable electricity, it can replace or supplement traditional forms of power, helping to reduce the homeowner’s monthly energy bills.
Solar panels are relatively easy and often cost-effective to install, and they can be customized to the individual home’s rooftop layout or landscape with ease. The homeowner can even take advantage of government incentives, tax credits, and other programs to offset the installation costs. To discover more about home improvements, you can consult with a local contractor or energy specialist who can help you identify areas of your home that could benefit from upgrades
Energy Star Appliances
These units use significantly less energy than the older models due to their improved technology and superior efficiency. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Star Appliances are capable of using up to 40% less energy than traditional appliances, resulting in less energy demand on the home.
Replacing energy-consuming appliances with Energy Star appliances is just one way of making a home more energy efficient. Addressing the other elements of energy consumption in the home ensures that the home is running in an energy-efficient manner.
Low-Flow Plumbing Fixtures
LowFlow plumbing fixtures are one of the most common and effective improvements and are the easiest and most cost-effective way to reduce monthly water bills. This is because they use less water than older methods, meaning hot water must be heated less often, cutting electricity costs.
LowFlow toilets and showerheads have special designs that reduce the amount of water used each time the toilet is flushed or someone takes a shower. Faucets are also available with aerators that reduce the amount of water used. All these new fixtures can be easily installed within a few hours and create a noticeable difference in the amount of water used each day.
Energy Efficient Lighting
LED lights are far more efficient than their incandescent counterparts and last much longer. Installing motion sensors in frequently used areas like hallways, bathrooms, and closets can help save energy, as lights will only turn on when they are needed. Installing dimmer switches allows you to adjust the lighting intensity and brightness in a room while utilizing task lighting over general room lighting can help you save energy while still providing adequate lighting.
Air Sealing
The purpose of air sealing is to limit the number of air leaks, which can often result in large amounts of air loss and costly energy bills. Air sealing is the process of covering up any gaps or cracks in the home that allow air to escape. Areas such as windows, door frames, outlets, and wall cracks ought to be addressed when considering an air-sealing project. Professional contractors can be used to provide services such as filling gaps with foam or caulk and installing weather stripping.
Geothermal Heat Pumps
Geothermal heat pumps, which can be installed indoors or outdoors, are a great option. With geothermal heat pumps, you’ll be able to heat or cool your home without using any electricity. How this work is done by taking advantage of the steady temperature in the ground and water below the surface of your property.
In addition to being energy efficient and having lower monthly bills, geothermal heat pumps require very little maintenance and can last up to 25 years. Geothermal heating and cooling can help save money and reduce energy consumption, making it an ideal green energy solution for homeowners.
Radiant Floor Heating
It is an excellent choice for a variety of areas, such as kitchens, bathrooms, and living rooms. Not only does it provide warmth, but it also greatly reduces energy consumption by increasing the amount of heat distributed evenly throughout the room. Radiant floor heating systems are easy to install and provide comfortable and consistent heat while conserving energy.
It is energy efficient, cost-effective, and can easily replace existing heating systems. Furthermore, it doesn’t require any additional air ducts, as it is silent and unobtrusive, and it also saves you money in the long run by helping to lower heating and cooling costs.
Energy Efficient Landscaping
Energy-efficient home improvements focus on reducing energy consumption in order to save money on utilities and reduce a house’s carbon footprint. While there are many home improvement strategies that can be done, one of the most effective things homeowners can do is to incorporate energy efficient landscaping into their strategies.
Energy-efficient landscaping promotes the use of native plants, mulch, and compost to reduce water and energy consumption. It also recommends the use of drought-tolerant and low-maintenance plants, as well as using drip irrigation to control water consumption.
Heat Recovery Ventilation Systems
Heat Recovery Ventilation Systems (HRVS) are a great way for homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. HRVS are an efficient way to transfer heat from exhaust air produced by heating and cooling systems back into the home to reduce energy consumption. This not only helps to lower energy bills but can also improve indoor air quality by bringing in the fresh air and preventing stale air from being recirculated.
HRVS are relatively easy to install and can be adapted to any home’s existing heating and cooling systems. They also use the same energy source as the home’s heating and cooling systems, so they don’t require additional power to operate.
Smart Home Technology
Smart home technology can be used to control a variety of devices such as lights, thermostats, appliances, and window shades. By controlling the energy usage of these devices, homeowners are able to significantly reduce their energy expenses. Smart thermostats can be used to manage the temperature of home temperature in an energy-efficient manner, and smart lights can be set to turn off automatically after a certain amount of time.
Smart appliances can be used to reduce energy consumption and last longer. Smart window shades can be used to block out hot/cold temperatures, reducing the energy costs of air conditioning or heating.
Future of Energy Efficient Home Improvements
Making energy efficient home improvements can help create a more sustainable and eco-friendly home. By taking advantage of government rebates, you can save even more on these projects. Start now to help reduce your environmental impact and lower your energy costs. Let’s work together to make our homes more energy efficient!
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