5 Ways to Increase Your Home’s Energy Efficiency & Save Money
Is it one of your goals to make your home more energy efficient? There are plenty of ways to go green, and here we outline five ways to reduce your home’s environmental impact — and save some of the green in your wallet at the same time. From small changes, such as using LED light bulbs to larger changes, like solar panel roofing, we outline actions you can take today to increase your home’s energy efficiency.
Energy-Efficient Appliances
While the appliances you purchased 10-15 years ago may have been energy efficient at the time, today’s appliances consume much less energy. For example, if your air conditioner is 10 years old, you could save 20-40% of your cooling energy costs by replacing it with a new, more efficient model. A new, energy-efficient clothes washer uses 40-50% less energy and 50% less water. A new ENERGY STAR certified refrigerator uses up to 40% less energy! All of these energy savings add up to hundreds of dollars that stay in your pocket each year.
Check ENERGY STAR for the products recognized as most efficient in 2021.
Smart Thermostat
Using a programmable thermostat to manage your heating and cooling will reduce your costs by 10-15%. Program your thermostat to adjust the temperature to a lower setting in the winter (and higher in the summer) during the day when nobody is home and to increase the temp before you get home from work.
Smart thermostats also save homeowners 10-15% on heating and cooling. The benefit of a smart thermostat is that you do not have to program it. Its built-in motion sensors “learn” your household’s patterns and adjust the temperatures accordingly. You need to have Wi-Fi and a mobile device to get the most out of your smart thermostat’s remote monitoring and control features.
Insulation
If your energy bills seem to be creeping up, your home may need another layer of insulation. The EPA estimates that, on average, homeowners can save 15% on heating and cooling costs if they add insulation to attics, crawlspaces, and basement joists. This can add up to hundreds of dollars of savings each year.
LED Lighting
It may seem like a small thing, but replacing old incandescent light bulbs with energy-efficient LEDs is an easy way to enhance energy efficiency in your home. LED bulbs generally use 25-80% less energy and last about 25,000 hours — incandescents only have a lifespan of 1,000 hours. Changing to LEDs in your home could save you around $75 per year.
Solar Panels
Generate clean energy for your home with a solar panel roof. Solar power may completely eliminate your monthly electric bills! Solar panels last 20-25 years and your savings over that time can range from $10k to $45k or more. There are regional incentives to go solar as well as a federal solar tax credit. Estimate your savings with Google’s Project Sunroof.
Reduce your carbon footprint and save money by making some changes in your home. For more information, call Oaks Construction at 585-247-OAKS today!