Nowadays building a home or purchasing a newer home means doing less to make sure that the home is energy efficient.
Newer homes may have been built with things like energy efficient windows and came equipped with appliances that have the Energy Star seal of approval.
This does not mean you can’t take steps to create a more energy efficient home. In fact, taking some of the steps below will help you save money in the short term and improve the resale value of your home.
Install those energy-efficient replacement windows. There are a lot of energy benefits that come with this home improvement project. Replacement windows can save you up to 25% on your energy bill, depending on where you live. You can find replacement windows that can be up to 56% more energy-efficient windows during the summer months and up to 45% more efficient during the winter.
Energy efficient appliances. If you need to replace old appliances, look for the Energy Star logo. The U.S. Department of Energy created the logo as a way to identify appliances that go beyond the minimum when it comes to energy efficiency.
Check your HVAC. Have a professional service your HVAC and ask them if they can determine if your system is energy efficient.
Check your insulation. The amount of insulation you need for your home may likely depend on where you live. Insulation is measured in R-values, which is the resistance to heat flow. The higher the R-value, the less resistant the product is to heat flow. If you have questions about R-values, head to your local hardware store and ask about recommended R-values for your location.
Get audited. No, not that kind of audit. A home energy auditor can make recommendations about where you can improve in energy efficiency. Some utility companies will provide this service for free.
