The Best Energy-Efficient Home Improvements You Need
Did you know that an average American household will spend over $2000 on energy bills annually? If you plan to do a home renovation soon, consider including energy-efficient home improvements in your plan. Doing so will not only help you save the environment. It’ll also help you save tons of money by cutting the expenses on your energy bill.
And who doesn’t want to save more money? It’s already expensive trying to get your home renovated. Do you want to spend the same amount of money as before the renovation? Shouldn’t you be taking the chance to make the best home improvements to your home? That said, here are five energy-efficient enhancements you should make to your home:
1. Adding more insulation
The biggest share of a household’s energy bill goes to heating and cooling. It takes up almost half of your electricity. That’s because the majority of American homes are under-insulated. That is why most households spend so much energy trying to control the temperature in their homes.
By adding better and more insulation to your home, you could already lessen the energy you spend on heating and cooling. Having insulation installed in your home is also not that expensive. You can either get a professional to install it for you or save more money and install it yourself.
So, where should you place your insulation? According to the U.S. Department of Energy, one’s home should be insulated from the roof to its foundation. However, there are specific areas where you can install your insulation to be more efficient. The Department of Energy has created a guide as to where you should install your insulation. Make sure to keep this in mind when thinking about where to install your insulation.
2. Installing a smart thermostat
Another way to regulate your home’s temperature more efficiently is to install a programmable or smart thermostat. A smart thermostat can automatically adjust your home’s temperature to be at the most optimal energy-saving temperature. You already save about 10% on your energy bill by installing a smart thermostat.
That’ll save you tons of money in the long run. Having a smart thermostat is also fun; some have voice-control features, but most can be controlled through your smartphone. You won’t have to leave the bed to change the temperature anymore!
3. Transforming your windows to energy-saving windows
By now, you’ve probably realized that the best way to reduce your energy is by keeping your home as well-insulated as possible. Your windows also affect the insulation in your home. You should get some new ones if your windows are old and drafty. Believe it or not, there is such a thing as energy-saving windows. But it isn’t as fancy as it sounds. They’re just tinted windows that do a better job of blocking out the sun’s rays. That is also extremely helpful in controlling the temperature in your home.
If your windows aren’t old yet and are working perfectly fine, you would still like to save some energy. You can transform them into energy-saving windows by simply adding tints.
4. Replacing old water heaters
Water heating accounts for 13% of your energy bill, making it the third-largest energy consumer in your home. If you have old water heaters, you should consider hiring a professional to replace or repair them. Plenty of energy-efficient water heaters are available on the market. A great way to identify whether an appliance is energy-efficient is by checking if it has the EnergyStar logo on it.
5. Switching the light bulbs
If your light bulbs are still incandescent, switch to LED lights. Why? Because LED lights are known as one of the most energy-efficient light bulbs available. They use 75% less energy than incandescent lighting and have a longer lifespan. Plus, they emit very little heat, so it doesn’t affect your home’s temperature much. They’re also much cheaper than an incandescent light bulb. It doesn’t explain why switching to LED lights is a good idea.
Making home improvements doesn’t have to break the bank. Making the right home improvements can help you save more money in the long run. So, the next time you consider doing a renovation, add these energy-saving improvements to your list.
