Energy-Efficient Homes: Here’s What You Need to Know

In today’s modern world, the concept of energy saving is becoming popular among homeowners. An energy-efficient home simply means where less energy is used to do the same tasks, which saves not only energy but also money. And upgrading to an energy-efficient home doesn’t cost a fortune; rather, it just needs some smart upgrades in your housing. In this article, we will be discussing different upgrades that you can add to make your home more energy efficient.

#1 Update Your HVAC System

The HVAC system plays an important role in saving energy as it uses various technologies to control temperature, purity of air, and humidity in an enclosed space. Not having a clean and updated HVAC unit can cause problems, such as heat loss and heat gain. Hence, you must regularly clean or replace filters as clogged filters affect smooth airflow and dirt, which affects the energy-consumption capacity of the HVAC system.

#2 Add Insulation

Adding insulation is another brilliant way to prevent heat loss and ensure you save on your electricity bill. You can install loft and wall insulation to use less energy for heating. Besides, you can also consider custom insulating window blinds for your windows as they reduce heat build-up and provide added insulation. Moreover, these blinds block out the sun’s harmful rays and provide a moderate and comfortable internal temperature. Overall, insulating your home provides resistance to heat flow and reduces your cooling and heating costs.

#3 Upgrade to Energy-Efficient Appliances

Another effective way you can save energy is by ensuring that your house has energy-efficient appliances. This would allow you to control the energy consumption rate of your appliances which reduces nearly 13% of energy consumption. Hence, when buying any appliance, make sure it has the Energy Star label. The label indicates that the appliance is tested for lesser energy consumption. Besides, check what the appliance’s annual operating cost is.

#4 Switch to LED Bulbs

Many homeowners consider replacing traditional incandescent lights with modern energy-saving options, such as LED bulbs. CFLs or compact fluorescents are very common in households as they use less than two-thirds of the energy used by standard bulbs. Besides, these bulbs last ten times longer and consume less energy. Hence, it’s a great idea for homeowners to switch to LED bulbs.

#5 Get a Tankless Water Heater

Did you know water heaters are probably the biggest energy consumers out of all your house appliances? It’s time you should get rid of conventional storage water heaters and replace them with tankless heaters. These are more energy efficient and durable. You can even choose a condensing tankless water heater that reuses exhaust gas to heat the water more quickly.

Let’s Take a Recap

To apply the concept of energy efficiency in your home, start by looking at the bigger picture and analyzing your day-to-day habits. Notice the weak spots in your house and prioritize their upgrades. Remember, you can’t turn your house into a full-energy zone in one go. These upgrades require time and careful planning. Thus, take your time and make sure you successfully build an energy-efficient home.