There are many reasons why a person would want to make their home more energy efficient. You may want to increase comfort levels indoors and save money. A more energy-efficient home can help you stay warm indoors during frigid winters and remain cooler during hot summers.
Local, state, and federal jurisdictions often provide financial incentives, like tax breaks, for energy-efficient homeowners in most parts of the United States. Also, energy-efficient houses use less power, which overall decreases the cost to power the home.
On a larger scale, being more energy efficient reduces our negative impact on the environment and climate change. Excessive energy consumption can increase the number of pollutants in our atmosphere and contribute to global warming. These pollutants can make their way into soil, air, and water sources through runoff.
Switching to a more energy-efficient home will not only help improve our environment, but can be a significant money saver. Continue reading to learn more about how you can make your home more energy efficient.
Run An Energy Audit
The first step that a person should take to start becoming more energy efficient is to run an energy audit. The energy audit will help a person determine how much energy their house uses and which parts use more energy than they should. To run an energy audit, a person could either do it themselves or hire a local energy auditor.
Consider How You’re Heating And Cooling Your Home
A lot of energy is needed to cool and heat up homes. Up to 50 percent of a household’s energy consumption used can go towards just these two functions, says the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Here are some ways to adjust your cooling and heating systems that will help you reduce your energy bill:
- Regularly replace your air conditioner and heater’s air filters.
- Set thermostats to a suitable temperature. For the summertime, at night, turn the temperatures lower when everyone is home and have the temperatures higher during the day when no one is home, and vice versa during the winter. “You can save as much as 10% a year on heating and cooling by simply turning your thermostat back 7°-10°F for 8 hours a day from its normal setting,” the Department of Energy advises.
- Install a programmable thermostat that can automatically adjust temperatures during the day. It’s an easy way to make sure you’re not over-heating or cooling a home with nobody in it.
- Replace furnaces with wood or pellet stoves. Wood and pellet stoves are a more efficient energy source than their more traditional alternative.
- Have your curtains drawn over the windows at night in the winter and during bright summer days. This can help better insulate your home.
Make Your Roof More Energy Efficient
In addition to making adjustments to your cooling and heating systems, another major consideration is your home’s roof. An energy-efficient roof can make a substantial difference in your household’s energy consumption. These are a few ways to make your roof more energy-efficient:
- Improve the layer of insulation underneath your roof. By doing so, you can help maintain the temperature inside your house regardless of the temperature that is outside.
- Consider upgrading your asphalt shingles. Unlike asphalt shingles, roofing materials such as clay tiles or sheet metal can reflect heat instead of absorbing it
- Having a cool roof coating will lighten the rooftop’s color, which will help reflect light and heat.
Find Alternative Energy Sources
Depending on what area of the country you’re in, you may be able to take advantage of renewable energy sources. The benefits are numerous, although there’s usually an up-front cost for materials and installation.
Most solar and wind power companies offer financing, which means that you’ll lower your electric bills immediately, but pick up a loan payment. Like any home renovation, you’ll need to consider how the investment will pay off in the long run.
Solar Electricity
Thanks to a new system called “net metering” and improvements in photovoltaic panels, solar power avoids many of the pitfalls that made earlier versions of this energy alternative less attractive.
With net metering, you are no longer required to store your electricity. You have a two-way meter that tracks usage and output. You either pay a smaller bill at the end of the month or if you produce more energy than you use, you receive a check from the power company (or credits that you can apply at other times of the year if you need).
Wind Power
Wind power requires the installation of turbines, and of course, wind to turn them. Like solar, electricity no longer needs to be stored on your premises. If you are in a region that allows for net-metering, you can use your wind turbine to draw from the power grid or transfer unused kilowatts back into the system.
Always do your research when you’re determining which renovations will make your home most energy efficient. There are plenty of ways to make green choices that are sustainable for you as well as the earth!
Feature image: Tom Thain; Image 1: Stephan Bechert
