Most people don’t know how easy it is to make their homes run on less energy. You can replace appliances, add insulation, and get an energy audit. Each of these things will help you to increase the energy efficiency in your fixer-upper.
Replace Appliances
Replace appliances to improve energy efficiency. Homes over 15 years old may benefit from a new air conditioner, furnace, or boiler. Generally speaking, heating systems that are more than 15 to 20 years old are inefficient by today’s standards. Wise homeowners combine the installation of new equipment with other improvements, such as sealing doors and windows, adding more insulation, and improving ductwork. In doing this, they can see their energy savings begin to add up.
Add Insulation
You should consider adding insulation to an older home to improve efficiency. Newer homes are often well insulated, while houses several decades old (or older) can often benefit from an upgrade. Since hot air rises, the attic is one of the biggest culprits when it comes to heat loss. Homeowners often lose heat due to a lack of insulation in their attic. Even some newer homes do not contain sufficient insulation in the attic. In an under-insulated home, an extra layer of insulation could lead to savings and allow a homeowner to recoup costs in a few years.
Get an Energy Audit
Any improvement you make to your home will lead to energy savings, and most will also add value to the home. Homeowners who want to be certain that they are not missing any obvious improvements can enlist the help of an efficiency inspector. Energy providers may send an inspector to the home for free. This expert will inspect the property and recommend the best improvements to amplify a home’s efficiency, ultimately saving the homeowner money and energy. An energy auditor can assess leakage in the building envelope and recommend fixes that will dramatically increase comfort and energy savings. Getting an energy audit will help you to know exactly where your home is losing energy, and therefore, money.
Energy efficiency means you are using less energy to do the same jobs, reducing your home’s energy waste and saving money. To effectively increase your energy efficiency, you should replace appliances, add insulation, and get an energy audit. This will help you to become aware of the energy being wasted in your home and become more efficient.
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