The 7 Best Energy Efficient Home Upgrades

We all love it when our bills are low and the house is cozy, but that’s not always possible without energy efficiency. If you are a homeowner looking to improve your home, whether it’s for selling purposes or your own satisfaction, you should look into ways to make your house more energy efficient. However, before you start you have to ask yourself two important questions: which upgrades save the most money on energy cost, and which add the most value to the property and house?

If you are uncertain, you best start with simpler upgrades. You can add sealant around windows, for example, to minimize energy leakage outside. However, quick fixes like this one won’t last you a long time and won’t be as efficient as some bigger projects. So, if you are looking to upscale your home with energy efficiency, here are the best possible upgrades.

Replace Old Appliances

Any home appliance that has more than 15 to 20 years should be replaced. Air conditioners, furnaces, boilers and even fridges and stoves of older make spend much more energy and electricity to function properly. That is why you should swap out all of the old appliances for new energy-efficient ones. What’s more, some newer models that are up to the energy-efficiency standard are cheaper than some quality cooling and heating products from a decade ago. So, if you are tired of repairing old appliances, it’s time to get new ones, that will save you a lot of money on bills and bring sustainability to your home.

Insulate Your Home

If you don’t already have insulation in all parts of your home, now it’s time for an upgrade. Insulation does an amazing job at preserving the heat inside during the colder months, while it keeps the warmth away from your rooms during hot days. That’s a good enough reason for many people to insulate their homes. What’s more, insulation can bring other benefits, such as sound insulation and added protection from the elements. However, don’t just insulate the living room. Instead, insulate all the rooms, including your attic and basement. To find the best insulation type for your home, you can click here for information and you should always consult with the experts before you start the renovation project.

What’s more, you can even add an extra layer of insulation to your attic. The roofs get heated up pretty fast, and two layers will help your home stay cool for longer. You can even add some reflecting surfaces to the roof to minimize the heat that your home absorbs.

Make Your Water System More Efficient

Water consumption at any home has become a major issue. We don’t want to waste water in general, plus by being efficient with the water supply, you can cut costs. You can start by replacing your fixtures with low-flow ones, including your faucets, toilets, and showerheads. These use the minimum amounts of water for the job to be done. Plus, there are adjustable models which you can adjust according to your needs. Additionally, you can use tankless water heaters and get hot water on demand. It is often hard to keep the water inside the boiler for longer periods of time, and this can ramp up your energy bills.

Upgrade the Lighting

You are bound to turn on the lights inside your home and you should make sure they are energy-efficient. You can easily swap out your old CFL bulbs for new and energy-efficient LED ones. New light bulbs and fixtures can cut down your lighting costs which can be quite an expanse since we use lights frequently. You can also increase the amount of natural light that comes into your home through larger windows and skylights and completely forget about using lights during the day. What’s more, besides using less energy, skylights and large windows can greatly increase the value of your home.

Replace Windows and Doors

If all of your windows and doors are old and they are not as good as looking as they used to be, it’s time you replace them. New window and door models do a much better job at energy efficiency and they keep the temperature inside regulated better. Also, you should opt for wood frames for doors and windows since they add the most value to a home and provide better insulation. However, these are slightly more expensive, but in the long run, they are worth the investment.

Another option is to add weather stripping or caulk around windows and doors. This way, you can eliminate drafts and avoid letting the heat in or out of your home without control. It is a simple upgrade and not expensive at all.

Install a Smart Thermostat

Technology is always here to help us save energy and that’s why more and more people are investing in programmable thermostats. These little devices can enhance the cooling and heating efficiency in your home and you won’t have to do anything. Most smart thermostats memorize your preferences throughout the day, and will always know when to start cooling and heating for your better comfort. What’s more, they will increase the energy efficiency in your home, since the cooling or heating systems won’t be on all the time; rather, the thermostat will control everything and adjust to your needs.

Enhance Your AC

You can easily add a ceiling fan to enhance your air conditioning. Not only does a ceiling fan can improve the design of the home, but it creates a gentle and highly pleasant breeze. What’s more, it can help circulate air around the house which is super useful during hot summer days (which are getting hotter). It can also use less energy than an AC, but when combined you can cool down your home much faster.

Energy efficiency is not only saving the world, but it also brings us personal comfort and lower utility bills. It is a fact that we use too much energy and water on a daily basis, but that doesn’t have to be like that. Instead, you can provide your home with some great energy-efficiency upgrades and watch its value increase while your bills decrease.