Making Your Home Energy Efficient
With the high cost of energy and fuel these days it just makes good sense to make your home more energy efficient. Simple things like caulking and weather stripping can equal big savings on your energy bill.
Energy audits and inspecting your home for energy repairs can lead to a more comfortable home while increasing it’s value.
A Look At Home Energy Efficiency?
Energy efficiency is more then just turning off lights when not in use or lowering the thermostat. Those things help but the biggest savings involve efficient appliances adding more insulation and finding more ways to waste less energy.
Every effort should be made to conserve using the latest technologies like LED lighting and energy efficient appliances. Not only will you save energy but you will also save money at the same time.
Home Energy Audit
Conducting a home energy audit can be done by you or many utility companies will perform one at no cost to you. These audits reveal how your home is losing energy. This can be by heat escaping through gaps in windows and doors or energy loss from old appliances.
An energy audit will provide you with access to low cost loans and information on how you can get rebates from your state and the federal government for installing new windows and energy rated appliances.
Conduct your own energy audit:
• Check the insulation in your attic.
• Inspect the caulking around windows.
• Check door weatherstripping and thresholds.
• List outdated appliances.
• Check light bulbs that are not energy efficient LEDs.
Professional Home Energy Auditors
Professional auditors can find a lot more areas for improvement. Check with your local electric utility company to see if they conduct free energy audits.
Benefits of Attic Insulation
Attic insulation is a priority for any home. Insulation can cut your energy costs 25-30%. Not enough insulation means you are throwing money away by losing heat during the winter and cooling during the hot months.
Most attic spaces are under insulated costing homeowners hundreds of dollars a year on there heating and cooling bills. You would never know unless you go into your attic space and inspect.
There are different types of insulation fiberglass, foam and cellulose. The cost is based on the square footage of your attic. An insulation contractor or home improvement store can give you a quote on how much it would cost to insulation your attic space.
Windows and Doors
New windows and doors are more energy efficient and are Energy Star-rated but if you can’t afford new there are some fixes you can do to cut energy bills.
Applying a window film can help keep heat out during the summer and promote better cooling during winter when combined with caulking to prevent drafts.
Installing Solar Panels
Solar panels are a great saver of energy if you can afford them. They reduce your energy consumption and reliance on the electricity grid.
Many state agencies offer tax incentives for installing solar panels. Even if you just install solar for your electric water heater you will save a lot of money.
Smart Thermostats
Smart thermostats where you can set schedules and turn on and off your heating/AC remotely can also save energy. Combined this with a newer heating and air unit you can save up to 50% on your utility bills.
Check with your energy company for rebates offered by state and federal agencies when installing certain energy rated products.
Automated lights and Devices
Automatic motion detecting lights and sensors reduce the need for lights being on the entire night. Light timers can also reduce your utility bills while continuing to provide security.