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Using eco-friendly products in your home is not only beneficial for the environment but can save you energy and money. Remodeling can be a great opportunity to add energy-efficient features to your home; however, you don’t have to be in the process of remodeling to make an impact.
Keep reading for some easy tips on updating your home and improving its energy efficiency!
Insulation Addition
Consider adding insulation in your walls, around windows, or in the attic. Doing so has the potential to improve your home’s energy efficiency by 20 to 30 percent. If redoing your insulation seems like too big of an undertaking, try a thermal shade-type product instead. It will block the sun in the summer and keep heat where it belongs in the winter — all while saving you money.
Light Bulb Switcheroo
This is as simple as it gets; change a lightbulb! Energy-saving light bulbs can make a long-term difference in your energy bill. Changing out just one lightbulb in your home to an energy-star certified lightbulb can save you $6 a year in electricity costs and more than $40 over its lifetime. Another option is to switch to compact fluorescent bulbs (CFL), which convert most of the energy they use into light rather than heat to the tune of 75% energy savings!
Plumbing Swap
Switching out a toilet might not be as easy as changing a lightbulb, but it can save you money! These days, there are many new plumbing products on the market that are high-efficiency or low-flow. In the end, these products can save 20-30% more water than the previous generation of products. In addition to water-efficient toilets, showerheads and faucets have made impressive leaps too.
Not sure which products you’re looking for? The EPA’s WaterSense program labels water-efficient plumbing fixtures that have been independently tested and certified to meet performance standards.
Window Upgrade
If it’s time to update your windows, then energy efficiency should be a priority. Look for features like low-emissivity (Low-E) glass ratings, which indicate a window glazing that can help control solar heat gain and loss. Keep an eye out for windows and doors featuring multiple panes of glass, a good window frame, and additives such as argon between glass panels for insulation. Not only are they energy-efficient, but they will also keep heat in during the winter and out during the summer.
For more information about deciphering performance ratings for windows, doors, and skylights, check out Energy.gov.
Ready to Get Started?
These are just a few areas that can affect the overall functionality of your home. Making smart choices will bring you one step closer to the healthy, money-saving home you desire!
Ready to get started? Contact the Homecare Remodeling Team to find out how we can help make your home more functional, energy-efficient, and beautiful!
