Many people are looking for ways to make their homes more energy efficient. The reasons vary from saving money on utility bills, helping the environment, and increasing the value of their home. Some of the ways to do this require significant changes to your home, and others can be smaller changes.
Invest in New Doors and Windows
While this is a major expense, getting new energy efficient windows and doors can really help with the utility bill. The latest windows are double paned and offer excellent insulation. Some options even come with tinting, another value-add to the efficiency. When it comes to doors, make sure you are choosing the right insulation for the Columbus climate. If you can’t afford new doors, adding an efficient storm door is a good alternative.
Replace Lightbulbs with LED bulbs
This is one of the easiest things to do. LED Bulbs are much more efficient than the old incandescent bulbs of the past. They are more expensive, but they also last much longer, making it a double money saver. You can buy LED bulbs for almost every lamp and lighting fixture you can purchase.
Check Your Insulation
If your home is not brand new, check your insulation. This is especially important if there were water leaks or damage to your roof. Insulation can settle if it is the fiberglass kind. So even if you had enough insulation when it was installed, it may not be enough now. You may only have to add to it and not completely replace it.
Install Energy Efficient Appliances
All new appliances are energy efficient, but even if you replaced your appliances five years ago, more efficient machines are out now. The biggest energy user besides a HVAC system is your clothes dryer. Replacing it can add significant savings to your energy bill. The other great thing about replacing appliances is that you can do them one at a time when your budget allows. Look for the Energy Star label on appliances.
Get a Tankless Water Heater
Think of all the energy you will save by not heating a bunch of water daily. Installing a tankless water heater means you have hot water only when you need it. Another advantage is there is a lot less chance of the water leaking from a tankless water heater than a traditional water heater. The tankless also takes up much less space. They are expensive to install, but long-term savings will outweigh this cost.
Making your home more energy efficient is a great selling point if you plan on selling your home in the future. Even if you aren’t planning to sell, making your home more energy efficient is a great way to save money. Doing all of these things will also help the environment because you are using less energy. Some of these improvements, such as installing energy efficient windows and doors, may qualify for a tax credit, check with your tax advisor or someone from our team.
