Disclosure – this is a collaborative post.
Today, building an energy-efficient home is a goal most homeowners are striving for. Energy efficiency is essential for long-term energy savings as well as lowering overall carbon footprint. Additionally, if you’re planning to eventually sell your house, energy efficiency makes an attractive selling point.
It’s possible to live a greener lifestyle by making some changes to your home. So, what’s stopping you? Take a look at various ways you can enhance your home’s energy efficiency and create a positive impact on the environment.
Plant Trees Around Your House
Carefully planned landscaping can do wonders for regulating your home’s energy requirements. By planting shady trees on the west side of your house, you can protect it from heat waves during summer and deflect harsh winds. Well-designed landscaping can enhance the visual appeal of your house as well as allow significant energy savings.
Get Your Roof Inspected
The roof of your house plays a key role in protecting it against severe weather conditions. A lesser-known purpose of roofing systems is to provide a home with adequate insulation. If you’ve noticed a recent rise in your energy bills, it’s possible that your roof has passed it’s prime and needs to be replaced. Contact reputable residential and commercial roofing companies to find an experienced contractor.
Improve Insulation
Other than the roof, proper internal insulation is also necessary to prevent energy loss. Make sure your crawl spaces, walls, doors, floors, basements, etc. are fully insulated to retain heating and cooling.
Utilize Renewable Energy
Conventionally, energy is generated by burning fossil fuels, which is one of the major reasons for increased levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Instead of solely depending on fossil fuels, make use of renewable energy by installing solar panels. There’s an abundance of natural light and it’s completely free! This way you help the environment and cut down your electricity bills.
Upgrade Appliances
Various household appliances are operated on a regular basis, making up a significant portion of your overall energy requirement. To lower your energy consumption, it’s necessary to replace outdated appliances with newer models. When shopping for appliances, always look for Energy Star ratings to ensure energy efficiency.
Consider Window Treatment
The right window treatment is important to minimize heating and cooling loss. Some of the most common options are blinds, shutters, and drapes. You can also consider double window glazing that will make a significant difference in your energy bills and also reduce noise pollution.
Install Low-Flow Fixtures
Do you enjoy taking hot, long showers every day? This seemingly innocent habit is costing you a lot in terms of energy. If you don’t want to cut down your shower time, it would be best to install low-flow bathroom fixtures to conserve water and heating.
Replace Inefficient Lights
Lights are another essential fixture for every home. Replace inefficient incandescent lights and CFLs with LED lights. Although LEDs are comparatively expensive, they are highly energy-efficient and durable.
Service HVAC Unit
The heating and cooling units consume a lot of energy. Get such systems serviced regularly to ensure they continue working optimally without wasting energy. Also, inspect and repair any ductwork leaks.
Weatherstripping
Any gaps in your windows or doors can cause unnecessary energy loss. Weatherstripping is an economical way to effectively seal such openings. It’s an easy DIY installation, so you won’t need to hire an expert.
The bottom Line
Some of these upgrades may be on the pricier side, but they will pay for themselves in the long run. Living a sustainable life is crucial to curb the growing consequences of climate change. And improving your home’s energy efficiency is a step forward!
Disclosure – this is a collaborative post.
