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Let’s face it: Not all home upgrades are worth the investment, and not all energy-efficient upgrades deliver the savings you’re hoping for. That doesn’t mean they’re not worth exploring and implementing in your home, though. Understanding the benefits of certain upgrades will help you make the right choices when it comes to choosing energy-efficient options for your home.
Below you’ll find several energy-efficient upgrades that could be exactly what your home needs.
Insulation
Insulation is a boring but essential upgrade for any home. Older homes, especially, can be lacking in adequate insulation, and you will most definitely feel this during the colder months of the year. A poorly insulated home can increase energy loss and waste money. The reality is you can purchase all the right energy-saving features and products for your home, but if you’re not insulating the property, you will be wasting money and effort.
Take your time to find out if your home has proper insulation and enough of it. Then look at options for installing new insulation or top-ups to increase protection. From attic insulation to wall insulation and insulation in crawl spaces and underground pipes, etc., there are plenty of options to choose from and a range of materials to use to help you get the required levels for maximum energy efficiency in your home.
Appliances
Old and faulty appliances can drive up your energy use and add unnecessary costs to your energy bills. When you consider how many appliances you have (especially in larger households), you’ll find it can be a significant sum.
Upgrading your appliances to Energy Star-rated ones means you’re getting newer, more energy-efficient models that consume less energy and reduce your water usage, too. From washing machines and dishwashers to dryers to refrigerators, upgrading these appliances can be massively beneficial to reducing energy consumption and helping you manage your home more efficiently, too.
HVAC
HVACS, when cared for, can last 10 plus years, but ut if your unit is reaching the end of its lifespan, it’s highly likely you’ll experience higher bills when using the system and face more frequent breakdowns or problems with it. Of course, replacing your HVAC isn’t cheap, but then again, neither are the bills an old system produces. If you want to invest in your home and make changes that can help you decrease energy usage and save money on bills, it’s worth seeing if you need a new HVAC.
Energy-efficient upgrades can save you up to 20% on your home’s heating and cooling bills.
Smart Thermostats
One of the more affordable upgrades to consider is a smart thermostat. These devices allow you to control your home’s temperature remotely and adjust settings based on your lifestyle from day to day, rather than programming within the property. If you’re coming home later than usual, for example, you can adjust the heating to come on when you’re actually at your home, not when you thought you’d be home, meaning you’re not wasting your money heating an empty house. Smart thermometers allow you to be in control, and some models learn your preferences and take over these adjustments for you, so you only need to step in when things deviate from the norm.
Upgrade Windows and Doors
You have three benefits of upgrading windows and doors. Firstly, new modern windows and doors boost your home’s curb appeal, which is definitely a bonus, but secondly, and most importantly, they can reduce your energy consumption. Lastly, adding new windows and doors can improve security.
Windows and doors are often the worst culprits for energy loss, and old or damaged doors can need replacing sooner rather than later. Modern doors and windows are made of more energy-efficient materials and are built fully insulated, meaning once they’re installed, all you need to do is keep them closed, and you’re reducing your energy bill right from the beginning.
When looking at energy-efficient windows and doors, be sure to choose windows with at least two panes of glass, as single-panel windows lose more heat than those made from fibreglass, insulated wood, or composite materials.
Finding the best window installation company in your local area can help you uncover the right windows and doors for your home that fit your home’s style and aesthetic, as well as deliver the efficiency you need for added benefits.
Increase Light
If you’re considering home adaptations or renovations, then increasing natural light can be the perfect way to reduce energy use. The reason is that the more windows you have or the bigger the windows in your property, the more natural light will flood in. This means less reliance on artificial lighting, and floor-to-ceiling doors or windows or skylights on a south-facing slope can allow more sunlight in, offering heat on colder days, so you can reduce your heating usage, too.
Seal Leaks
Sealing leaks doesn’t always mean massive investments, but it does mean massive results in terms of reducing heat loss and air circulation in and out of the property.
You can expect to experience heat loss in many places, such as your roof, your doors and windows, and even damaged siding, exposing areas of the property that allow air to come in and heat to escape.
To find any possible leaks, take the time to go around your home methodically, room by room, and investigate any potential problems and fix them immediately. Bit by bit, you’ll find that your effort adds up and helps you cut costs on energy bills. Using weatherstripping or caulking to seal any problem areas you find.
Improving your home’s energy efficiency can be done in multiple ways. From huge investments to smaller tasks that just take alittle time, you can lower your bills and have more consistent energy use throughout your home.
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