How Can I Make my Home More Energy Efficient?

As many homeowners are looking to save money on their utility bills, one method that can possibly reduce expenses and give you more time to worry about other tasks like house training your pets is by increasing the overall efficacy of energy output within the home. At the same time, making your home more energy efficient is better for the environment because it reduces the amount of greenhouse gases expelled into the atmosphere. When considering ways to increase energy efficiency, you should look for the types of renovations that are within your budget; keep in mind that the monetary savings associated with efficiency changes are built up over time.

Home Improvement Projects

One of the least expensive ways to make your home more energy efficient is to purchase energy-saving appliances. These work by reducing the amount of overall electricity used to run them. Also, more advanced types can possibly utilize cold water just as well as hot water, and this can save you money from water heater related costs. Examples of energy efficient appliances include refrigerators and dishwashers, as well as washers and dryers. As of 2011, American citizens are still eligible for tax rebates associated with the purchase of energy efficient appliances.

Older windows have the tendency to have leaks within them. As you run your heater or air conditioner, the airflow can possibly leak through the windows, which makes your unit run more often. This is a waste of energy that ultimately costs you more money and can hurt the environment over the long-term. Depending on the state of your windows, you can either fix them so that air does not leak through them, or you can instead replace them entirely.

Another method in which you can make your windows more energy efficient is by tinting them. This partially blocks sunlight from coming in when the sun hits a particular part of the house. This particular method is especially useful if you generally run your air conditioner often, and if you live in a warmer climate. If you live in a colder climate and do not have an air conditioning unit, then window tinting is not likely to save you money on your energy bills.

Although making changes within your home as well as to the sides can help to decrease your energy costs, another potential money-saving option is to increase the efficacy of your roof. Older, worn roofs have the propensity to leak air, just as old windows do. By properly maintaining your roof on a regular basis, you can potentially save money on your energy costs.

Adding insulation to your roof is another method in which you can improve the energy efficiency in your home, especially if you use a heater or an air conditioner quite frequently. You might also consider changing the color of your roof to a lighter one. Dark-colored roofs tend to retain more heat from the sun, which ultimately makes your air conditioner work harder.

Considerations

Making your home more energy efficient is a great way to save money on your electric bills in the long-run, but some of the aforementioned projects might not be cost effective if you are doing them for the sole purpose of selling your home. Certain types of house improvements can increase the overall value of your house when selling it, but some renovations will not necessarily equate to more cash gained for you. Before starting a project, look at other homes in your neighborhood that are similar to yours, and determine how much they have been sold for. You can also see if the previous owners made any renovations and whether this gained them more cash during selling.

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