Boost your home’s value and longevity and decrease energy bill costs with an energy efficient design. If you haven’t taken time to evaluate your home for improvements, now is the time.
While challenges like initial costs and restructuring difficulties can make the change harder, implementing the following changes into your home’s design will significantly impact your energy efficiency overall.
Ensure Proper Insulation
If you find that heated or cooled air is escaping your home it’s likely time to seal all leaks. Check doors and walls for cracks where your cooled air or heat might be running out. If you identify any probable spots have a professional repair the area as needed. And if you have a metal roof, insulation for metal roof is highly recommended as it will keep your home warm during those cold winter days, while also preventing large amounts of heat from entering your home during a hot summer.
You should also have your attic and basement checked if they are unfinished as these are hotspots for poor insulation. Having a professional inspect your home can help you decide how much insulation needs to be installed.
Select Windows for Energy Efficient Design
If you’re struggling with insulation, your windows could be part of the problem. If your home has single glazed windows consider making the switch to double glazed. Double glazed windows will help with insulation as well as introduce secondary benefits like reduced noise and better security.
Learn more about how windows effect your energy efficiency in Ecovue’s article on window glaze types.
Upgrade Your Appliances
Old models of appliances tend to eat up more energy than newer models. This is a great incentive to make the switch despite the upfront cost. When making any design changes it’s a good idea to consider the long term payoff to the change you’re making now.
Consider switching out these appliances if you currently have an older model:
- Dishwasher
- Refrigerator
- Clothes dryer
- Clothes washer
You don’t have to change everything at once. Budget the costs of your renovation over a year or two to avoid putting too much financial strain on your household.
Change to Fluorescent and LED Bulbs
You can’t live without lighting your home but you can choose how you light it. This is the simplest step you can take to improving energy efficiency in your home.
While you might cringe at the initial cost of the new bulbs, the benefits far outweigh the investment. With fluorescent and LED bulbs, homeowners experience stronger light with lowered bills. Another bonus is the increased lifespan of these energy-friendly bulbs.
Install Ceiling Fans in Your Home
Whether you opt for ceiling fans or portable fans, choosing these options lowers the need for turning your air conditioner on. This helps to cut down on energy costs as fans use up less energy.
If you’re worried about heating rather than cooling, simply switch your fan to spin clockwise. This motion will trap heat by pushing warm air down.
Designing Your Home With Efficient Home Solutions
Taking an energy efficient design approach to upcoming home improvement projects will give you long-lasting benefits. Add value to your home and decrease long-term energy costs with these simple fixes.
Check out our other articles for more information on home design and functionality.
