Making your home more energy efficient is beneficial for both the planet and your wallet. However, with all the options out there, you may not know where to start. If you’re looking for ways on how to make your home more energy efficient, this guide can help walk you through what you need to know.
Finding ways for how to make your home energy efficient doesn’t have to break the bank, either. There are some simple ways that you can ensure your home isn’t losing energy while also creating added comfort as well. Here are some tips to help you save money and become more energy efficient.
Asher Lasting Exteriors can install windows and doors that will reduce your overall energy usage.
How To Make Your Home Energy Efficient
While it may seem like integrating energy-efficient changes into your home will be expensive to do, the reality is that it will genuinely save you money over the long run. First, however, you need to determine where your home may be losing the most energy and savings.
Small changes can make a significant impact on how to be energy efficient. A few places you can start are to make sure you look at your home’s lights, water usage, and thermostat. Some ways of making your home energy efficient are ensuring that you don’t:
- Take too long of showers or baths
- Run half loads with your dishwasher or washer and dryer
- Leave the lights on while you’re gone, or leave appliances plugged in while not in use
- Have drafty windows or doors
- Have poor or leaky insulation ducts
- Have outdated appliances or electronics
While other factors may also impact your home’s energy usage, taking note of the factors listed above can help improve home energy efficiency.
Here are some of the best ways to make your home more energy efficient:
Install Energy Efficient Windows And Doors
Heating and cooling are the most important aspects of making sure your home is energy efficient. If your windows and doors are drafty or aren’t keeping the heat where it needs to be, it can create energy usage problems.
One way to improve energy efficiency in your windows and doors is to check how tight the seals are. You can do this by holding a candle by your seals. If the flame flickers or goes out, you have a draft. You can fix this on your own by re-caulking the frames or installing weather-stripping, which are both low costs and don’t require hiring a professional.
Asher’s Energy-Efficient Window And Door Solutions
If you live in Western Wisconsin and have windows or doors that need added help, Asher Lasting Exteriors can help by installing Andersen windows or doors. These windows minimize heat transfer. Changing your windows and doors to Andersen are just some examples of energy efficiency in the home.
Use Energy-Efficient Light Bulbs
This is one of the easiest and most cost-efficient ways for how to be more energy efficient. Changing your home’s light bulbs with LEDs or energy-saving bulbs can reduce your home’s energy output and ensure that you save money on light bulbs in the long run.
Typically, changing your home’s 10 most used bulbs only costs around $80. However, LED bulbs last 50 times longer than normal lights, meaning you will save money not only on your utility bill but also on your home improvement bill as well.
Install a Programmable Thermostat
One of the ways to save heat energy in your home is to install a programmable thermostat. These thermostats often include sensors that can automatically tell when you’re home or when you’re away, helping to adjust the HVAC specifications to save money when needed.
Also, most smart thermostats allow you to manually adjust the temperature of your home while you’re away. On average, it can cost about $170-$190 to have a smart thermostat installed. However, they can save you almost $200 just in the first year, meaning that they’ll offer a return on investment quickly and can save you money for years to come.
Hang Up Your Clothes To Dry
Another simple way for how to make your house more energy efficient is to simply hang up your clothes to dry instead of using your dryer. You can either hang your clothes up outside to dry or can buy a cheap hanging rack for indoor use.
Regardless of how you choose to do it, not using your dryer can save you anywhere from 10-20% on your energy bill per year and will also reduce your carbon footprint by 2,400 pounds per year. Hanging your clothes up to dry is one of the simplest and best ways to make your home more energy efficient.
Energy-efficient windows and doors can make all the difference in your home’s energy usage.
Use A Low-Flow Showerhead
Your daily shower uses more water – and energy – than you may have previously thought. Even if you take 15-minute showers or less, your home’s water usage can add up. However, installing a low-flow showerhead decreases your home’s water consumption by 40% or more. This, in turn, will significantly lower your monthly water bill while also saving 2,000 gallons of water every year.
Installing a low-flow showerhead is relatively easy, as well. You can install a new showerhead yourself without having to hire a professional, and they’re usually only around $50. If you’re wondering how to improve home energy efficiency, low-flow showerheads are the way to go.
Install Solar Panels
Another one of the great ways to make your house more energy efficient is to invest in solar panels. While a much larger upfront investment than the other options on this list, it can reduce your energy consumption almost immediately.
Utilizing light or solar energy for your home often requires professional installation as well. Still, with its savings of at least $1,500 per year, it is an excellent way to make your house more energy efficient.
Unplug Devices When No One Is Home
If you’re looking for one of the cheapest ways to improve energy efficiency in your home, simply unplugging devices when no one is home is a great place to start. Devices that are plugged in but aren’t in use are also referred to as “standby” energy loss.
If you don’t feel like unplugging your appliances every time you leave the house, utilizing power strips is another great way to help you save money while reducing your energy waste.
Asher Lasting Exteriors’ doors can help you figure out how to make your house energy efficient.
Upgrade Your Water Heater
Lastly, another one of the best ways to make your home more energy efficient is to upgrade your water heater. Your water heater can be responsible for almost 20% of your energy bill per year, meaning that you could be spending much more energy and money than you need to.
Upgrading your water heater to a newer model can make a world of difference for your home. If you can, consider a tankless water heater as well, as these only heat the water when it’s in use.
In Western Wisconsin, Contact Asher To Install New Doors Or Windows To Make Your Home Energy Efficient
If you’re looking for some great energy-efficient home ideas, Asher Lasting Exteriors is here to help. Whether you’re looking to start small or change out your windows and doors for Andersen alternatives, we can make sure you are getting the best savings.
We promise expert installation and high quality every step of the way. We aim to consistently perform above industry standards to make sure that you get the most environmentally safe and sustainable products out there. Get in touch with us today.
