Is it time to make your home more energy efficient?
The effects of climate change have become more apparent over recent years. And keeping our bills low is becoming more of a challenge, especially for those of us at home more. So, for anyone who’s been putting off making changes to their home and improving energy efficiency, now is a good time to act.
Modernize
Modernizing your home to make it more energy efficient costs money, but it will also save you money over time. The main areas to look at are your windows, insulation, and heating and cooling systems.
Double pane or double-glazed windows are essential for people living in a cooler climate. They are a huge source of heat loss in a home. Obviously, window replacement costs can be expensive, but they do have the benefit of adding value to your home.
Insulation is another big way to cut heat loss from your home. Attics, basements, walls and crawlspaces should all be looked at for potential improvement.
If you’re living in a warmer climate however, it may be better to prioritize keeping your home cool. As well as installing an efficient cooling system, you may want to consider using reflective roofing and cladding materials, to help keep your home cool.
In addition to upgrading to energy efficient heating and cooling systems, you may wish to look at the other appliances you use in your home. How efficient are your fridge, freezer, washing machine and stove?
Using natures resources
Using nature to our advantage is another way of becoming more energy efficient. For example, maximizing the sun in our homes can help us reduce our heating and lighting costs. We can achieve this by removing vegetation that blocks light, keeping windows clean and making sure blinds and drapes are open during the daytime.
Of course, some of us live in areas where the climate is too hot, and therefore we need to keep the sun out. Using shades over windows and planting trees to diffuse the heat from the sun are two ways we can cut down on our air conditioning reliance.
Perhaps the best use for the sun comes in the form of solar panels. Although they’re one of the most expensive improvements we can make, they’re also one of the most useful. The good news is, the cost of solar panels is coming down, so they are much more affordable now than they were a decade ago. This means that using the best solar company is no longer going to cost you an arm and a leg, ensuring you get everything set up correctly. Not only is it cheaper to set up, but it’s going to save you a lot of money on your energy bill when the time comes. You’re helping the environment and making savings all at the same time, sounds like a win-win situation.
