5 Tips To Create A More Energy-Efficient Home
Our modern homes are ultra-connected, with numerous appliances and devices consuming energy, just about all day long. If it feels like your energy bills are always on the increase, you aren’t alone, and your friendly neighborhood resource for Cleveland home improvement tips is here to help!
Other than the typical suggestions to change habits, like unplugging chargers and appliances when not in use, what are some other actionable tips that can help you to save on energy costs this and
every season? Here’s what we’d recommend.
1. Seal Gaps and Cracks
As a home ages and settles, it’s natural for small gaps and cracks to develop. This is common around windows and doors, especially. The problem is that even small cracks or gaps can allow outside air into the home, while also letting climate-controlled indoor air escape. This is clearly inefficient and can have a negative impact on your home’s HVAC system and energy bills. Sealing these gaps is really the first line of defense against heat and cold exchange that occur when drafts are present. Using caulk and weatherstipping are easy ways to remedy this, with potential leak points being where sashes meet each other, the jamb, and the stool. (Not fluent in window jargon? Check out our online glossary!)
2. Control Your Conditions
Mother Nature won’t be tamed, but you can adjust what you do to make your home more energy efficient, even in the worst weather. Use thermal curtains to limit the amount of heat that sunlight can transfer into your home in summer. Then switch to letting that light in during winter, provided that you have energy efficient windows installed. Add a patio enclosure to make the most of the sunlight on cold days and limit its penetration into your home on the hottest days. And a patio cover keeps you cool and comfortable, even in high temperatures.
Shade trees work wonders as well, as long as they’re properly sited so they won’t pose an eventual threat to your home. A thick leaf canopy keeps your home noticeably cooler in summer, and bare branches allow sunlight to warm your home in the winter. Utilizing ceiling fans is another key way to live with temperatures that may normally fall outside of your comfort zone. Moving air keeps you cooler, and better distributes air all year round, helping to reduce cold or hot zones. Reverse the direction of the fan depending on the season for the most efficient result. Insulation can also help to maximize the efficiency of your home’s HVAC system by creating a thick barrier that holds precious climate-controlled air inside.
3. Maintain and Service Your HVAC System
If your home’s HVAC system is pretty old, it could be time to upgrade to a more efficient model, and there are likely energy rebates available that could make this an especially efficient option. That said, if you’d rather work with what you have, then ensuring that filters are regularly changed and you’re on top of yearly, professional inspections and necessary maintenance, you can keep it running as efficiently as possible for the meantime. Check with your installer to see if ductwork can be sealed or insulated as well.
4. Install A Smart Thermostat
It’s recommended to keep indoor temperatures higher when no one is home to enjoy the cool air. But of course you can only adjust the thermostat when you’re there. That is unless you opt for a smart thermostat. This device works to learn your preferred heating and cooling patterns and can then automatically adjust settings so that you are using the least amount of energy necessary to keep your home comfortable. Smart thermostats are also typically able to be controlled remotely, so if your schedule changes or shifts, you can make adjustments even while on the road.
Along with a smart thermostat, there are some products that can also incorporate smart settings that automate lighting, and can turn lights on or off depending on various factors. Motion sensing lighting fixtures and dimming features can help to reduce energy consumption.
5. Replacement Windows or Doors
We’ve already established that checking and maintaining seals around your home’s doors and windows can go far to contributing to a more energy efficient HVAC system. But if your home’s doors and windows are old and compromised, it could be a better option to consider replacement windows for your Cleveland home. New windows are crafted with energy efficiency in mind, and you can opt for special coatings and ratings to ensure that your new windows keep your home cool at a lower cost. The same holds true for entry doors and storm doors. They help to buffer indoor air and are well insulated and sealed to prevent heat exchange.
Bonus Tip: Take Advantage of Energy Tax Credits!
Replacing your home’s windows can be a pricey investment. It’s worth the ultimate energy savings, but it can be a sizable chunk of change upfront. Thankfully though, there are current tax incentives that can cut that cost in the form of credits on next year’s taxes. Check out the IRS’s detailed eligibility guide to see if your windows, doors, or other household installations qualify. The ENERGY STAR program also offers information on the 30% rebate for new windows and skylights along with guidance on the types of products that may qualify. As part of The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, these tax incentives are available through 2032.
Energy Efficiency Tips From Cleveland Home Improvement Pros
Having an energy efficient home is a combination of both short-term and long-term factors that make the most of the energy that’s regularly expended to keep your household running. Taking time to analyze where you could make meaningful changes can go far to improving your overall efficiency. At Fairview Home Improvement, our goal is to help you love your home. From newer, more energy efficient replacement windows and doors to patio enclosures and patio covers, we have plenty of options to help optimize both energy efficiency and overall enjoyment of your property. Get in touch with us to plan your next Cleveland home improvement project!