Apollo Energy welcomes this guest post from our friends to the north, Powertech Solar of Winnipeg.
A home can be one of the biggest investments you can ever make. You’ll want to ensure that the money you have goes toward the things you need, which is why you should spend less on having to heat and cool your home each year. Yes, you read that correctly.
By making the switch to an energy-efficient home, you can effectively cut your costs in half and continue to live comfortably in your home.
Here are seven tips to make your home more energy efficient:
1. Upgrade to Energy Efficient Appliances
Instead of buying new appliances that consume your energy bill costs, you can opt for those with a good Energy Star rating. If your appliances are more than ten years old, you’ll definitely want an upgrade.
Many newer appliances are built with energy efficiency in mind. New front-loading washing machines use less water but can also dry your clothes better, reducing the dryer’s job, and new fridges use less energy than older models. By switching to energy-efficient appliances, you can save up to hundreds or thousands of dollars in the long run.
Maximize the Efficiency of Your Current Appliances
If new energy-efficient appliances aren’t in your budget right now, there are still steps you can take to maximize the efficiency of your current appliances:
Have your furnace regularly serviced
Seal your ductwork
Wrap the water heater
Install/replace weather-stripping around door frames/windows
Use ceiling fans
Hang-dry clothes
Clean larger appliances
2. Invest in Smart Home Technology
These days, appliances and electronic devices have become equipped with smart technology capabilities that make it easier for people to communicate with their devices either verbally or with remote control.
Homeowners can now use a mobile app or website portal to monitor devices and make adjustments online. The best part? Most smart devices collect data that can be useful for homeowners to make energy-efficient choices in their living spaces.
You don’t have to replace every device or appliance in your home with smart technology. At least 69% of households in the U.S. have at least one smart device, which means you can start small and work your way toward integrating more over time.
3. Go With Energy-Efficient Light Bulbs
Replace your incandescent lights with energy-friendly options, such as energy-efficient bulbs. As one of the most cost-effective options, energy-efficient bulbs last longer than the typical lightbulb, which means you won’t have to replace them as often.
Compact fluorescents use less than two-thirds of the energy that standard light bulbs use. These bulbs are easy to find in stores, and there are options available that work with smart devices. If you’re starting to create an energy-efficient home environment, then light bulbs may be a good first step.
4. Improve Your Insulation
Improving your home’s insulation can potentially save you money on 10%-50% of your heating bill. We recommend starting with places like your attic, ceilings, windows, and doors. You can add insulation through blow-in loose-fill cellulose or fiberglass insulation.
Adding more insulation isn’t as pricey as you may think. Proper insulation can prevent warm or cool air from escaping, meaning you won’t have to use as much energy when it comes to cooling or warming your entire house.
5. Replace Your Windows
Replacing windows can be an expensive renovation, but it can save you energy in the long run. There are newer windows on the market that can trap cool air, making it useful in the summer when you need cooling the most. It can also trap hot air, which you’ll need during the cold winter months.
What Kind of Windows?
The best type of windows you can have are insulated with argon gas between the panes. We also recommend looking into windows with low-emissivity coating on the glass. These windows aren’t inexpensive, but neither is an energy bill when living in a house with drafty windows. You can expect to save up to 50% on your energy costs when you replace the windows in your home.
6. Install Solar Panels
Powertec Solar recommends installing rooftop or backyard solar systems for your home, which will offset your household electricity bills. Solar panels use the power of the sun and can be used to generate electricity that powers your home.
They are a versatile choice that can cool your home in the summertime, provide hot water, and save you a lot of money on your power bill. Think of it as though you’re receiving free electricity for your home. Who wouldn’t want that?
7. Receive an Energy Audit
Many homeowners don’t realize the amount of energy they’re wasting. The best way to confirm your suspicions is to receive an energy audit. Energy audits will identify what areas of your home are losing energy and what changes should be made.
During an energy audit, they can check your heating and cooling systems, inspect windows/doors where heat may be escaping, and more.
There’s some work involved in making the switch to an energy-efficient home. Not only is it an adjustment, but you always have to keep an eye on areas of the house where energy is being wasted. Whether you’re following the example of getting your HVAC system serviced routinely to ensure it serves your energy-efficient needs, as recommended by experts in furnace repair in San Marcos, or making the switch to solar power energy, you’ll definitely notice an improvement!
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