Making your home energy-efficient has many benefits. You won’t experience drastic swings in the temperature of your home. You will also decrease the amount of energy you use every day, resulting in lower energy bills. Adding energy-saving features may also increase your home’s resale value. An energy-efficient house has lower operating costs and is much more attractive to buyers. Make your home more energy-conscious and reap the benefits using the following four tips.
Replace Incandescent Bulbs
Old incandescent bulbs are notorious energy hogs. Replace your incandescent bulbs with halogen bulbs, compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), or light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs. These bulbs use far less energy than their incandescent ancestors, resulting in lower electricity bills. Also, halogen bulbs, CFLs, and LEDs last longer so you will have to replace bulbs less frequently. Because the average household uses 40 bulbs, you can see significant savings just by switching to new bulbs.
Seal Windows and Cracks
A drafty window doesn’t just let the outside air in, it leaks money out of your pocket. Putting weatherstripping around your window frames will greatly decrease drafts. It is also helpful to seal any cracks in the drywall. If you live in an area with cold winters, consider putting shrink film over your windows. Sealing your windows keeps your heated or cooled air inside where it belongs. This reduces the need for your HVAC to run, saving you money and helping your HVAC last longer.
Service your HVAC Regularly
The more energy-efficient you can make your HVAC, the more money you will save. Clean air filters decrease stress on your HVAC. Air filters should be changed once a month between spring and fall and once every three months in the winter. Keeping all the vents in your house open will help lower the pressure on your HVAC system. Finally, to keep your HVAC in great shape, have a professional do an inspection and maintenance on your HVAC once a year. Professional maintenance will help your system stay energy-efficient and increase the life of your equipment.
Install a Programmable Thermostat
Image via Flickr by CORGI HomePlan.
Programmable thermostats allow you to easily set up a schedule for your HVAC. Setting up a schedule allows your HVAC to run less while still maintaining a comfortable temperature. A programmable thermostat will allow you to lower or raise the temperature when your house is empty. This small change allows your HVAC to run less during the day, saving money and reducing equipment stress. Many programmable thermostats “learn” your patterns and will adjust the temperature of your home accordingly.
Making your home more energy-efficient is not as daunting as seems. Small changes such as new light bulbs, window sealing, and programmable thermostats are easy changes that can result in a huge payback. Keeping your HVAC serviced by a professional will ensure that you have a comfortable home while lowering your utility bills.
