If your energy bill is hundreds of dollars a month, you may have energy inefficiency in your home. Not only is energy inefficiency terrible for your monthly budget, but it also harms the environment by depleting resources. Thankfully, upgrading a home for energy efficiency is a common and popular goal among property owners, and there are many options available. Before getting started, you’ll need to identify what is causing your energy efficiency issues in your home.
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Outdated HVAC
Your home’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system is typically the largest contributor to your home’s energy bills. This system works almost all day and night to make sure your home stays at ideal temperatures throughout the year. In summer, the air conditioning system kicks on to cool your home while your furnace warms your home in the winter. There are many types of heating and air conditioning systems, but they all require a lot of energy to run. If you haven’t repaired or replaced your HVAC system in a few years, it may not be operating at peak efficiency. Old filters, system damage, or clogs can make the system work harder to maintain temperatures, running up your energy bills. Newer HVAC systems work quicker and more efficiently, which is better for the environment and your wallet.
Poor Insulation
Your home needs temperature stability indoors for better energy efficiency and comfort. Insulating material is placed in the walls, floors, and ceiling during construction or renovation to help reduce temperature loss. Insulation is key to keeping your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter. With poor or no insulation, your house loses its peak temperature faster. Your HVAC unit needs to run more, wasting energy and money. Thankfully, you can insulate your home better at any time with some renovations. While it may cost upfront in labor, you’ll see a major improvement in energy usage afterward.
Windows
While windows are energy efficient in terms of providing natural light over artificial, they can majorly contribute to a home’s lack of energy efficiency. Poorly installed windows can cause weather drafts. Windows without adequate insulation can also result in temperature fluctuations. At a minimum, you’ll want double-pane windows; triple-pane windows provide the most insulation, however. Be certain that any window upgrades are installed and sealed properly.
Siding Damage
Cracks or holes in your siding don’t just invite pests or insects into the home; they also invite weather drafts. If you haven’t had your siding inspected in a few years, it may be contributing to your home’s insulation problems. Paired with good insulation, the home’s siding is one of the main defenses against weather leaks. Have your siding inspected for wear and tear. You may want to replace your current siding with a more weatherproof option, like aluminum. You may also want to add more insulation between your home and its siding for peak energy efficiency. Finding a local siding contractor can help you find the best rates on labor and materials. I found a siding contractor near me who provides great service at reasonable rates.
Roofing
The sun’s heat and light directly hit a home’s roof, and poor insulation or materials can result in excess heat entering the house in the summer. Snow buildup on the roof in the winter can damage it and lead to chilly drafts. To reduce the chances of drafts or leaks, get your roof regularly inspected for damage. If you can afford it, choose an insulating roof material like metal or clay. Make sure your roof is properly insulated for maximum effect.
Appliances
Outside of the HVAC system, your home’s kitchen and laundry appliances can use a lot of energy to run as well. The dishwasher, refrigerator, oven, washer, and dryer are large and use up a lot of your monthly energy usage. Thankfully, modern appliances have energy-efficient features to reduce the amount of work required to do their job. Eco-friendly settings like dishwasher air drying or dampness detection on a clothes dryer can help your appliances run less, too. If you’re dealing with older appliances, you may want to consider an upgrade to a newer model.
Drafty Doors
Just like windows, doors can also contribute to heat loss or gain in your home. Drafty or improperly sealed doors allow air from the outside to seep in, causing your HVAC system to work harder to maintain the desired indoor temperature. Whether it’s your front door, patio doors, or even your garage door, these can all be weak points in your home’s energy efficiency. Installing weatherstripping around the edges of your doors can help seal gaps, preventing drafts and improving insulation. If your doors are old or worn out, it might be worth investing in energy-efficient doors that provide better insulation and a tighter seal.
Energy-Efficient Landscaping
Your home’s exterior landscaping can also play a significant role in reducing energy inefficiency. Planting trees or shrubs strategically can help provide shade during the hot summer months, reducing the load on your air conditioning system. Evergreen trees planted on the windward side of your home can act as windbreaks in the winter, minimizing heat loss and lowering heating costs. By considering energy-efficient landscaping, you can create a natural barrier against temperature fluctuations, making it easier to maintain a comfortable temperature inside your home without relying as heavily on your HVAC system.
Conclusion
There are a few other energy issues a home can have, such as energy vampires or inefficient lighting. Energy vampires refer to electrical appliances that continue to drain energy even when powered off. To eliminate efficiency problems from energy vampires, unplug as many appliances or electrical devices as possible when they’ve been powered off. Switch to energy-efficient lighting, such as solar-powered or LED bulbs. A major way to achieve peak energy efficiency is to switch to a clean, renewable source of power, such as solar or wind. In the meantime, the previously mentioned changes can make a major difference in your home’s energy usage.
Another effective way to boost energy efficiency in your home is by incorporating smart home technology. Smart thermostats, for example, can automatically adjust your home’s temperature based on your schedule, ensuring that you aren’t heating or cooling an empty house. Smart plugs and lighting systems can help you monitor and control energy usage, allowing you to turn off devices remotely or set timers to prevent energy waste. By making use of these technologies, you can further optimize your home’s energy consumption and reduce costs in a more convenient and automated way.