There’s much to love about working to boost your home’s energy efficiency. Not only is it good for the planet, but it’ll also save you money in the form of reduced energy bills and it can even enhance the value of your property; in an age when people are more concerned about their carbon footprint than ever before, homebuyers are more likely to pay a premium to live in a planet-friendly property.
OK, so that’s the benefits of having an energy-efficient home out of the way. The question now is, how do you get it? In this post, we’ll run through some of the most effective ways to boost your home’s energy efficiency credentials. Take them all on board, and you should notice a dramatic improvement in your energy consumption levels soon.
Perform an Energy Audit
It’s much easier to reach where you want to be when you have a good idea of where you are. You can get a sense of your energy consumption by analyzing your bills and comparing them with homes of similar sizes, but performing an energy audit is a more effective strategy. This process involves taking a much closer look at your home’s energy consumption to figure out any inefficiencies and areas for improvement.
DIY energy home energy assessments are possible, but it’s generally considered best to let a professional energy auditor do the job for you. They’ll have access to more advanced tools and processes that can lead to getting a more complete picture.
Service Your HVAC Systems
A property’s heating and cooling systems account for a huge chunk of its overall energy consumption — and that level of consumption will be even higher if those systems are not working as efficiently as they should.
Hiring an HVAC maintenance company to give your systems a tune-up is essential for keeping the system working as well as it should. They’ll be able to change the air filter, lubricate key parts, and check that the system’s electrical connections are in full working condition. In doing so, they’ll make it easier for your HVAC system to work to full capacity, reducing its energy-related costs while also extending the life of the system. In other words, it’s a no-brainer.
Invest in Roof Maintenance
Having a well-functioning HVAC system is a good start for improving your home’s energy efficiency, but if all the hot/cool air can easily escape via the roof, then the positive impact will be severely blunted. A poorly maintained roof can result in a loss of heat during the winter, and increased heat during the summer months; in other words, they produce the opposite effect on the HVAC system, meaning that the HVAC system has to work harder and longer, increasing energy bills and compromising the longevity of the system.
As such, ensuring that your roof is in tip-top condition is paramount for enhancing energy efficiency. A good roofing company should offer a roof maintenance/repairs service that can address any issues early on, and can also offer advice on the right time to replace the roof. Ultimately, your roof is your first line of defense against regulating your home’s temperature, but it can only do so effectively if there are no cracks, gaps, or other damage.
Upgrade Your Appliances
In most cases, the best way to reduce your carbon footprint is to get as much use from your products as possible. However, while that’s true for, say, your shoes and clothes, the principle doesn’t always apply to your home appliances. If you’ve had your dishwasher, washing machine, or other home appliance for ten or more years, then it’ll be best to look at investing in replacement machines. The energy efficiency of home appliances has increased significantly in recent years, and though you’ll need to outlay cash to make the upgrade, you’ll benefit from reduced energy bills.
Natural Solutions
When possible, make the most of natural solutions. Opening up your home’s windows can warm up your property when the sun is shining, while adding a clothesline to your yard will allow you to dry your clothes naturally. While there are plenty of modern tech solutions that can enhance energy efficiency, not everything needs to have an energy source.
Consider Installing Solar Panels
Solar panels are increasingly popular with US homeowners, with some 5 million homes now utilizing the power of solar energy.
If you’re serious about boosting your home’s energy efficiency, then explore the possibility of adding solar panel technology to your property. Once installed, you’ll benefit from severely reduced energy bills, and once the cost of installation has been paid back (usually around 13 – 15 years), you will be able to enjoy free energy.
If you’re planning on installing solar panels, then it’s best to do so now. The Solar Tax Credit offers 30% savings in the form of tax credits, significantly reducing the overall cost of installation. Yet, though the tax credit was supposed to be valid through at least 2032, the government is planning on ending the tax credit at the end of this year.
Energy-Boosting Smart Home Technology
There’s been a host of new smart home technology released in recent years that can help homeowners make their properties more energy efficient.
Smart thermostats allow you to take full control of your home’s HVAC-related costs, while smart plugs can detect when a device is in standby mode (and thus doesn’t require power flow). If you decide to install solar panels, meanwhile, then consider adding a whole-home battery, which allows you to store excess energy produced by the panels, which you can then use to power your home at night.
Be Conscious
Finally, perhaps the best way to boost your home’s energy efficiency is to simply be conscious of your energy consumption. You’ll keep your consumption as low — and as earth-friendly — as possible if you think twice before turning on an item. Do you really need a shower? Can you wait until the dishwasher is fully loaded before running it? This approach will make a difference!
