How to Improve Your Homeandrsquo;s Energy Efficiency
It is no secret that energy efficiency has big benefits. Not only will it save you on monthly utility bills, but it will increase the comfort of your home and be more environmentally friendly. Optimizing the energy efficiency of your home doesnandrsquo;t have to be an overwhelming process, either. Our experts at Valley Heating, Cooling, Electrical and Solar have rounded up seven ways you can improve your homeandrsquo;s energy efficiency as early as this weekend!
Give Your Home an Assessment
The only way you can effectively increase the energy efficiency of your home is by assessing where your homeandrsquo;s energy is being used. If you have access to them, try and consolidate a yearandrsquo;s worth of energy bills. This will not only give you a baseline of energy usage, but also demonstrate in which seasons your energy bills spike. According to the Department of Energy, most homeowners spend about 54 percent of their homeandrsquo;s energy on space heating and cooling, with water heating coming in second at 18 percent Does this sound like your home? If so, concentrating your efficiency efforts on heating, cooling, and insulation solutions is a great place to start.
Once you have this paper assessment, give your home a visual inspection. Are you noticing any drafty spots, hotter or cooler parts of your home or excess condensation on your windows? All these visual cues are symptoms of heating or cooling issues that could be affecting your homeandrsquo;s efficiency.
Install a Programmable Thermostat
Programmable thermostats are an easy and cost-efficient way to lower your homeandrsquo;s energy usage. Programmable thermostats make it possible to automatically adjust the temperature, so if your home is empty or everyone is in bed, you can reduce your heating and cooling accordingly.
Check and Update Your Homeandrsquo;s Insulation
A poorly insulated home will drain your heating and cooling efforts and lead to higher utility bills. Your attic, in particular, can be a space where even a little more insulation goes a long way. In fact, lining your attic with high-quality insulation can reduce your monthly heating and cooling costs by nearly 20 percent .
Replace Your Appliances with More Efficient Ones
If your air conditioner or furnace is over 10 years old, there is a good chance it is not running efficiently. Consider replacing these highly used systems with newer, more energy-efficient models. Energy Star actually estimates you can save 30 percent on cooling costs if you replace an air conditioner that is more than 12 years old.
If You Arenandrsquo;t Ready to Replace Appliances, Repair Them
We understand that replacing large appliances like an AC unit or furnace has a large upfront cost, so if you arenandrsquo;t prepared for this type of investment, think about repairing your units instead. Repairs and preventative maintenance can increase your HVAC systemandrsquo;s efficiency and help you catch small issues before they become major problems.
Check the Seals of Your Windows and Doors
Just like insufficient insulation can drain your heating and cooling efforts, ineffective seals on your windows and doors will dramatically affect your homeandrsquo;s efficiency. Updating your sealant can even be a quick and easy DIY project.
Improve Your Homeandrsquo;s Lighting
Another cost-effective way to increase your homeandrsquo;s energy efficiency is by replacing your homeandrsquo;s lighting with LED or CFL bulbs. Or, consider letting more natural light in. This has the added benefit of providing your home with a little bit of natural heat as well.
Creating an energy-efficient home is easier than you think. If you are wondering how you can improve your homeandrsquo;s heating, cooling, electrical or water heater systems in order to create a more energy-efficient home, contact our experts at Valley Heating, Cooling, Electrical and Solar today. Dial (408) 868-5500 or reach out online.
