Not only does an energy efficient home conserve precious resources, it also saves you money. There are a ton of large efficiency updates you can make that will have a huge impact. Some examples include updating your home with a new tankless water heater, putting in a new HVAC system, and installing solar panels. In addition to these larger updates, there are also small updates that you can make that can make your home significantly more energy efficient. Even if you only have a few hours to spare over the weekend you can perform these simple energy efficient home.
Installing a thermostat that you can program is a very easy way to make your home more energy efficient and it will also save you a lot of money. Homeowners are able to set and control the temperature more efficiently and you can program the thermostat to reduce the temperature when you are not home or when you are asleep.
Adding more insulation to your attic is another easy way to reduce costs and keep your home warmer, without having to turn the heat up. Homes that are newer and were built more recently are more likely to have a sufficient amount of insulation, but older homes most likely could stand to have more added. Hot air rises, which is why your attic not having enough insulation could be a big reason as to why your home is suffering from heat loss.
Switching out the lighting in your home is another way to save money on your electric bill. By switching all of your lights to LED or CFL bulbs, you can dramatically reduce your lighting costs. This is one of the simplest and most inexpensive ways to become more energy efficient.
Installing new windows and doors is a slightly larger project to take on, but it is also a great cost savings down the road. When doors and windows get older, they often become drafty and are letting in unwanted outside air. Newer models of windows do a much better job at regulating the temperature inside your home, since they are better not allowing hot or cold air to get out. If you do not have the budget to replace all of your windows, in the meantime, you might want to simply re-caulk around all of your windows to seal off any cracks or gaps.
Larger appliances such as your furnace, air conditioner or boiler do wear out over time, and if you have not replaced these items within the last 15 years, you might want to consider getting new ones. The newer versions of these appliances are much more efficient than the older models and you will see the savings on reflected on utility bills.
One final way that you can have your home become more energy efficient is to install ceiling fans. Ceiling fans are a great way to take some pressure off of your air conditioning unit, while still circulating cool air throughout the room. It is much less expensive to have a ceiling fan running, than an air conditioner.
