An energy-efficient upgrade to your home could pay for itself in time. If you’re going to spend more than a few years in your current home, your utility bills will matter. Upgrades to your home won’t just help the environment, but they will also make your home more attractive to any future buyers. Here are a few of the major areas you should concentrate on.
1. Re-Insulate Your Attic
Attic insulation technology has advanced. You can use blown-in insulation for a quick energy upgrade, or spray-in foam insulation for more thorough coverage. An insulated attic will improve the comfort and energy-efficiency of your entire home, especially during the winter when heat escapes.
2. Change Out Your Windows
Windows can lose 40 percent of the energy inside of a home. Older windows tend to have only a single pane of glass. They can leak cold or hot energy outwards very quickly. Windows may also have cracks or leaks around them. If air is leaking around the frame, then the windows are essentially open.
Change out your windows for new energy efficient windows to increase energy efficiency. An energy efficient window is often a double-paned glass window, which has an air pocket in the center. This keeps the exterior and interior glass from directly transferring temperatures.
3. Insulate Around Fixtures
Areas that need insulation include the areas around light fixtures, light switches, and anything else that cuts directly into the wall. Otherwise, they can provide gaps where air can freely move. Many homes that have recessed lighting haven’t properly insulated around them. This creates an open gap directly between the main living space and the attic.
4. Install a Tankless Water Heater
A tankless water heater is going to reduce energy as well as water usage. Tankless water heaters heat water on demand, rather than heating an entire tank of water for usage. By heating water on demand, you use less water; you won’t be running water while waiting for it to warm up. Tankless water heaters use a lot less energy because they’re only using energy while they’re actively being used.
Tankless water heaters also have other advantages. They aren’t as likely to run out of water; you’d have to have many faucets turned on at once to deplete them. They also have steadier control over their own temperatures.
5. Update Your HVAC System
Your HVAC system is probably one of the most energy-intensive appliances inside of your home. If your HVAC system hasn’t been upgraded in a while, you might need to get a new model. If you aren’t interested in upgrading your HVAC system entirely, you may be able to install better ductwork.
A contractor can identify whether there might be leaks or damage in your current ductwork. Your ductwork can also be optimized to deliver air more directly throughout your home. Both of these things will prevent energy from dispersing in the home.
6. Roof Replacement
If it’s not properly insulated, a roof is going to lose a lot of the energy inside of your home. If your roof was built 10 to 20 years ago, it may not have the insulation that you need to keep your home warmed or cooled. A roof replacement is ideal for roofs that are over 20 years old, as they are at the end of their lifespan regardless. If your roof is between 10 and 20 years old, you might instead look into repairing it.
Are you ready to get started on your next home renovation? You can start planning today with the help of a professional home renovations company. Contact the experts at Unique Home Solutions today.