There are all sorts of reasons to increase the energy efficiency of your home. It can help to lower utility bills, create a more comfortable space, and limit the environmental impact of your home. The next time you make a change or perform a renovation or upgrade in your home, try one of these ways to improve its energy efficiency.
1. Swap Light Bulbs
High quality LED bulbs are the way to go for lighting your home efficiently. They offer attractive options for color range and many are dimmable. Unlike traditional incandescent bulbs, LEDs do not produce heat while operating so you can lower summer cooling costs. They also use about 75% less energy to operat4e than their older counterparts.
You can realistically expect them to last for many years, which means less cost in replacement bulbs over time. Whether you choose to make a switch all at once or do it as old bulbs burn out, you should make up the cost of your new LED bulbs within a year or so of regular use.
2. Seal Cracks and Gaps
Little gaps and cracks around your home can quickly lead to energy leaks as heated or cooled air escapes into the surrounding neighborhood. You wouldn't leave the door wide open on a cold day, so don't leave these spaces open either. A bonus to this type of repair is that it will also help keep insects and other pests out of your home.
Use caulking to seal small gaps (less than ¼") around windows and doors. For larger cracks and gaps, try a can of spray insulation. They expand as you spray them so that contours within the space are fully sealed. Look for specially formulated products that will not warp door and window frames for those areas. Masonry patch can be used for small imperfections in brick or concrete surfaces.
3. Add a Smart Thermostat
Why would you heat your home if no one is there? It doesn't make a lot of sense when you think about it, but that is exactly what many homeowners do. Invest in a smart thermostat that you can adjust while you are away from the house to realize substantial savings on heating and cooling costs.
If you don't want to go the smart home route, look for programmable thermostats that you can set to adjust and turn on or off at predetermined times. They are relatively inexpensive and fairly simple to install if you are interested in doing it as a DIY project.
4. Replace Doors and Windows
A lot of energy goes right out through your windows. In fact, along with the doors, they may be responsible for as much as a quarter of all heating and cooling energy loss. If you are planning a renovation project, it could be the perfect time to upgrade old windows and doors with energy-efficient new ones. Look for features designed for increased energy efficiency and Energy Star ratings for the most savings.
Get Started
Don't let yourself get overwhelmed by all the energy efficiency upgrades you could make. It's perfectly all right to start small. Once you see the savings on energy bills, you may find the motivation to make additional changes to your home.