Hello World! Welcome Friends! If you want to make home improvements, it can sometimes be tricky to know where to start – you’ve got to think about your budget, how disruptive the whole process will be, how much time it’s going to take, and even if it’s worth doing at all, and after you’ve thought about all that, you actually have to get round to having the work done (or starting your DIY). It’s a lot, and it could be why a lot of homeowners put things off until they really have to do them, especially if they’re busy in other areas of life.
However, making changed and improvements to the biggest asset you own is a wise move, as not only will it make you feel more comfortable living there, but it’s also going to help when it comes to boosting your property value. So, where to start?
One good place to start is by improving your home’s energy efficiency. That’s going to save you money on your heating bills, increase your property’s value, and make a difference to the health of the planet, so as far as changes to your home go, it’s a great one that ticks a lot of boxes. With that in mind, let’s take a look at how you can have the most energy-efficient home and what you need to do to make it happen.
Insulate Your Home Properly
One of the biggest issues when it comes to a property not being particularly energy-efficient is insulation, and the main reason for that is that you just can’t see it – it’s tucked away in walls and roofs, and most of the time you’re not going to be thinking about it at all. That’s a shame because it might be the very thing that, once you realize it, could make your home much more energy efficient and reduce your heating costs (and cooling costs in the summer, come to that).
Proper insulation is the heart of an energy-efficient house because it’s what helps to keep things at a constant temperature inside, so you don’t need to keep turning your heating up and down, which burns more fuel. There are a few different types of insulation to consider, including fiberglass (most commonly used in walls, floors, and attics, and it’s very cost-effective too), foam (which can be great for filling in gaps), and cellulose (that’s made from recycled paper, so it’s eco-friendly). Use insulation in the roof space, walls, floors, and basement if you have one to ensure complete coverage, and you should see (and feel) a difference.
Upgrade Your Windows
As you might expect, windows play a big part in a home’s energy efficiency because you can lose a lot of heat through them if they’re not good enough. Take a look at the windows you’ve got – if they’re old, single pane windows, you’re definitely losing heat, but even newer double pane windows can be inefficient when it comes to your energy; the longer they’ve been in place, the more likely it is there will be gaps around them (houses move over time), plus there’s better technology now, so no matter how good your windows were when you first got them, it’s highly likely there will be better versions now.
If you can speak to experts like Davenport Windows Doors to get a quote or some advice, you’ll quickly see that there’s a wide range of windows you can have now, all of which are going to be energy-efficient. You’ll be able to get new windows that match your existing ones so your home won’t look different or, if you prefer, you can get new windows that are a completely different design, improving your home’s look as well as its energy efficiency (just make sure you check with your neighborhood rules if there are any, just to make sure the design you want is allowed – some places are quite strict).
Keep Your Heating and Cooling System Maintained
It might not come as too much of a surprise to find that heating and cooling account for almost half of an average home’s energy usage (and energy bills), so if you can do something to make that more efficient, it’s a good idea to try.
The great news here is that you don’t really have to try; you can easily make your heating and cooling systems more efficient, and it won’t even take that much effort. To begin with, if your HVAC system is more than around 10 or 15 years old, it could be time to upgrade to a better, more energy-efficient one – that’s going to solve a lot of problems right away, and even though it’s going to cost a fair amount to do it, you’ll save a lot on your energy bills once it’s done, and you will be able to recoup the cost over time. When you upgrade, you’ll need to look for models with high Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) ratings when it comes to air conditioners and high Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) when it comes to furnaces – get that right, and all will be well.
You might not need to get a new system, however, and if yours isn’t yet too old and/or it’s working well, then it’s not really a great option. Instead, you can just make sure you get your system regularly serviced by professionals and in that way, it should keep going and be as efficient as possible for as long as possible. It’s always best to have this done by professionals so you can be sure it’s done right and you’ll get the best results; there are many other DIY jobs you can be getting on with, so it’s better to focus on those and leave your HVAC servicing to a professional.
Energy-Efficient Lighting
Another great way to make your home as energy-efficient as it can be is to install energy-efficient lighting where you can. The easiest way to do that is to switch from standard light bulbs to LED ones as they use as much as 75 percent less energy – and, as a bonus, they last about 25 times longer, so once you’ve bought them, you won’t have to replace them for literally years.
You can also make sure you maximize natural light wherever possible because if you can do that, you’re not going to have to use your lighting as much. If you’re having trouble doing that, it’s a good idea to paint your walls light colors and even install strategically placed mirrors around the house to reflect the light you do get, and your home will be much brighter as a result. As a bonus, natural light is good for your mental health, so the more you can enjoy, the better.
Click the links below for any posts you have missed:
7 Essential Steps for Creating Your Ideal Home Garden
How Willis, TX Residents Can Extend Roof Lifespan with Cleaning
The Transformative Power of Psychotherapy in Cultivating Mental Health and Well-Being
The Basics of Commercial Signage: What Home-Based Business Owners Should Know
Bathroom Remodeling That Improves Your Home Value
DIY vs. Professional Rug Cleaning: Which is Best for Your Rug?
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Thanks for stopping by! Have a wonderful day/night depending on where you are in the world! Go with God and remember to be kind to one another!
Toodles,
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