When you think about what sort of improvements can be done to make a home energy efficient, there’s a good chance that solar panels are one of the first things that come to mind. And there’s a good reason for that. If you’re located in an area that gets enough sun to warrant panels, you could be generating enough of your own energy that you end up banking extra. Still, that’s not the only way to make a home more energy efficient. Here are a few you likely haven’t thought of!
Replace Your Appliances
You know how people tend to slow down and feel tired more quickly as they get older? Appliances do something similar. As they age, they tend to work with less efficiency. On the flip side, advancements in technology allow new appliances to be more efficient than older ones are or ever were. For this reason, Bobvila recommends replacing your older appliances with more efficient models.
Add Insulation
Part of what makes a home energy efficient is its ability to maintain a stable internal temperature regardless of the external temperature. That’s where insulation comes in. When a home is well insulated, it tends to keep a more consistent internal temperature. That means your heating and cooling system will have to do a lot less work to heat and cool your house. Not all houses are going to be well insulated, though. According to J Bixler Inspections, if you experience drafts your insulation may be inadequate. Fixing that should improve your home’s energy efficiency.
Make Your Home Smart
The point of things like your lights, appliances, and HVAC systems is to make life easier and more comfortable for you while you’re in your home. But what about while you’re away? If you aren’t home, you shouldn’t need to heat or cool your home to the same level. By adding a smart thermostat to your home, This Old House says you get greater control over what temperature your home is at while you’re away. That can lead to some great savings financially, as well as helping your home be more energy friendly.
Solar panels can be great, but why stop there? Making energy efficient improvements like replacing appliances, adding insulation, and making your home smarter can also make a big difference. The improvements that make the most sense will depend on what condition your home is in currently, so make sure you take that into account when planning out how to improve your home’s energy efficiency.
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