7 Energy Efficient Home Improvements That Will Keep Your Energy
As a home owner or buyer, you have made one of the investments into a personal asset that you could make. Next to putting money into owning your own home, there is another worthwhile investment you can make and it is making energy efficient home improvements. The following 7 upgrades will lower your domestic energy consumption and costs of the same.
(1) More efficient water heating
Water heating for baths and showers is one of the highest contributors to domestic energy costs. There is a way around it and it is low-flow shower heads. With such a shower head, the flow of water is reduced to just a trickle once the water hits high temperatures. The exact temperature depends on the brand of shower head. You can then pull on a cord on the shower when you want to increase the flow. You will be spending a lot less energy because less water is being heated per shower.
(2) Window replacement
Windows let in air and natural light but they can also be big contributors to a huge energy bill. If you have gaps on your windows, air that you are heating up with central heating will be escaping during cool months. When it is hot, the air that you are cooling with air conditioning will be escaping and warm air will be coming in through the gaps so your energy bill will be higher countering this. Single pane windows are also inefficient.
The answer is replacement windows. These are double-glazed windows made of specially treated glass that retains heat during cool seasons so you need less energy to keep the house warm. They also keep out most of the sun's rays during warm months so you will need less energy to keep the house cool. Windows with Energy Star certification are particularly energy efficient.
(3) Modern thermostats
These are modern thermostats that computerize cooling and heating. There are models that are programmable with in-built WiFi so that you can set the temperature of your home via a Smartphone. With such a device, you can set the temperature for every room wherever you may be in the country. With such precision, you will be able to significantly lower your energy bills, even when you are away from home.
(4) Insulation
The condition of the shell of your house which is the walls and floors will either save you energy or waste a lot of it. Good insulation equals some major savings on energy. Good insulation ensures heated air will not escape and cool air will not enter and make your heater work harder to keep the house warm. Insulation should be done in the garage as well for homes where it is attached to the house and it should also be taken all the way to the attic which is often neglected. Insulation of at least 12" is generally recommended. A contractor can give you specifics.
Read: 5 Ways the PowerSaver Grant is Changing Energy Efficient Remodeling
(5) Ceiling fans
Another one of energy efficient home improvements is a ceiling fan. These work both during the hot and chilly seasons because they circulate air. When you are heating a room, the ceiling fan will force the warm air back down where it is needed and at an optimally low speed. Adjusting your thermostat according to how the ceiling fan is running will maximize your savings. Raise the thermostat during the warmer months and lower it during the cool months and you will save a minimum of 10% on heating and cooling costs.
(6) Efficient refrigeration
A refrigerator is always on. One that is energy efficient is therefore one of the best energy efficient home improvements that you can make in your home. The modern, digital refrigerators of today do more than keep your food and drinks fresh and cool. They can also give you weather forecasts and give you cold drinking water from an attached water dispenser. Energy Star fridges are built to do all this and water while consuming a minimum of energy. Consider upgrading your fridge with Energy Star certification and save at least $150 per year in energy costs.
(7) Energy saving bulbs
One of the least expensive energy efficient home improvements you can make is to switch to energy saving bulbs. Compared to traditional incandescent bulbs, energy savers consume between 25% and 80% less energy which amounts to some good savings not only in consumption but also bulb replacement costs. Energy savers last 3 to 25 times longer.
Where to start
If you are uncertain where to start with energy efficient home improvements, start with an home energy audit. This should be done by certified raters and auditors who will come to your home and assess your energy consumption. They will then be able to tell you your largest energy consumers and you can start with these areas.
Some of these home improvements can be financed with the FHA 203k loan, and may be eligible for the PowerSaver Grant. dmoyle
As a home owner or buyer, you have made one of the investments into a personal asset that you could make. Next to putting money into owning your own home, there is another worthwhile investment you can make and it is making energy efficient home improvements. The following 7 upgrades will lower your domestic energy consumption and costs of the same.
(1) More efficient water heating
Water heating for baths and showers is one of the highest contributors to domestic energy costs. There is a way around it and it is low-flow shower heads. With such a shower head, the flow of water is reduced to just a trickle once the water hits high temperatures. The exact temperature depends on the brand of shower head. You can then pull on a cord on the shower when you want to increase the flow. You will be spending a lot less energy because less water is being heated per shower.
(2) Window replacement
Windows let in air and natural light but they can also be big contributors to a huge energy bill. If you have gaps on your windows, air that you are heating up with central heating will be escaping during cool months. When it is hot, the air that you are cooling with air conditioning will be escaping and warm air will be coming in through the gaps so your energy bill will be higher countering this. Single pane windows are also inefficient.
The answer is replacement windows. These are double-glazed windows made of specially treated glass that retains heat during cool seasons so you need less energy to keep the house warm. They also keep out most of the sun's rays during warm months so you will need less energy to keep the house cool. Windows with Energy Star certification are particularly energy efficient.
(3) Modern thermostats
These are modern thermostats that computerize cooling and heating. There are models that are programmable with in-built WiFi so that you can set the temperature of your home via a Smartphone. With such a device, you can set the temperature for every room wherever you may be in the country. With such precision, you will be able to significantly lower your energy bills, even when you are away from home.
(4) Insulation
The condition of the shell of your house which is the walls and floors will either save you energy or waste a lot of it. Good insulation equals some major savings on energy. Good insulation ensures heated air will not escape and cool air will not enter and make your heater work harder to keep the house warm. Insulation should be done in the garage as well for homes where it is attached to the house and it should also be taken all the way to the attic which is often neglected. Insulation of at least 12" is generally recommended. A contractor can give you specifics.
Read: 5 Ways the PowerSaver Grant is Changing Energy Efficient Remodeling
(5) Ceiling fans
Another one of energy efficient home improvements is a ceiling fan. These work both during the hot and chilly seasons because they circulate air. When you are heating a room, the ceiling fan will force the warm air back down where it is needed and at an optimally low speed. Adjusting your thermostat according to how the ceiling fan is running will maximize your savings. Raise the thermostat during the warmer months and lower it during the cool months and you will save a minimum of 10% on heating and cooling costs.
(6) Efficient refrigeration
A refrigerator is always on. One that is energy efficient is therefore one of the best energy efficient home improvements that you can make in your home. The modern, digital refrigerators of today do more than keep your food and drinks fresh and cool. They can also give you weather forecasts and give you cold drinking water from an attached water dispenser. Energy Star fridges are built to do all this and water while consuming a minimum of energy. Consider upgrading your fridge with Energy Star certification and save at least $150 per year in energy costs.
(7) Energy saving bulbs
One of the least expensive energy efficient home improvements you can make is to switch to energy saving bulbs. Compared to traditional incandescent bulbs, energy savers consume between 25% and 80% less energy which amounts to some good savings not only in consumption but also bulb replacement costs. Energy savers last 3 to 25 times longer.
Where to start
If you are uncertain where to start with energy efficient home improvements, start with an home energy audit. This should be done by certified raters and auditors who will come to your home and assess your energy consumption. They will then be able to tell you your largest energy consumers and you can start with these areas.
Some of these home improvements can be financed with the FHA 203k loan, and may be eligible for the PowerSaver Grant. dmoyle