There are few experiences more rewarding than owning a home. Millions of people make their dreams of owning a home a reality every year. If you are the proud owner of a residential structure, then one of your main goals should be reducing your carbon footprint. In the past decade, climate change has dominated the headlines. There have been countless laws and mandates passed in an attempt to help the planet.
Luckily, there are a number of things you can do to make your home energy-efficient. Accomplishing your eco-friendly goals will require both hard work and the help of professionals.
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Replace Your Old HVAC Unit
One of the main sources of energy consumption in a home is the HVAC system. Without a functional HVAC unit, it will be impossible to keep the inside of a home at a comfortable temperature. If your unit is over 10 years old, then it is probably time to think about investing in a new one. Modern HVAC units are designed to be smaller and more powerful than ever before (source: https://callthegeneral.com/air-conditioning/ac-installation/).
Installing a new HVAC unit allows you to also reduce the amount of energy your home consumes. With the addition of a new HVAC unit, you can keep your home comfortable without the fear of energy waste. Investing in a new HVAC unit also provides benefits like:
- Increased home resale value
- Better airflow
- A comprehensive warranty
- Avoid repair costs
- Tons of options
If you feel like your existing HVAC unit is past its prime, then it is time to take action. With the help of an experienced HVAC technician, you can get your new unit installed the right way.
Check Your Existing Insulation
Regardless of how efficient your HVAC unit is, if all of their air it cools or heats escapes energy costs will continue to skyrocket. A recent study found that nearly 58% of the energy produced in the United States is wasted. One of the main things you can do to reduce the amount of air escaping through your attic is adding more insulation. As time goes by, the insulation in your attic will become more ineffective.
Ignoring the need for new insulation can result in higher energy costs. If your HVAC unit is running continuously because all of the air is escaping, you run the risk of wearing the unit out prematurely. Rather than dealing with the expense of replacing your unit prematurely, you need to get new insulation immediately.
Popular options like spray foam insulation are costly but will provide you with a much higher degree of energy efficiency. Consulting with insulation professionals is the best way to get a rundown of all of your insulation options. Once you have this information, selecting the right insulation replacement will be much easier.
Sealing Old Windows is a Good Idea
If you want to uncover sources of energy waste, then performing an in-depth energy audit is crucial. This audit will require you to inspect every nook and cranny of your home to find energy-wasting problems. When conducting this inspection, you need to take a good hard look at your windows. If the windows on your home are older, then they may be drafty.
These drafts occur when the sealant about the window panes and frame starts to wear out. Drafty windows will allow a lot of air to escape, which is why fixing them is so important. Reapplying a thick layer of caulk to the window panes and frames is a great way to fix drafts. You also need to check door frames to see if drafts are present. If you aren’t comfortable doing this work on your own, then a residential construction professional can assist you.
Solar Panels Are a Good Investment
Do you want to reduce your dependence on traditional energy sources? If so, then it is time to consider adding solar panels to your home. Generally, this investment will pay for itself in around 10 to 15 years due to the energy it can help homeowners save. There are also a number of tax rebates that can help you cover the cost of new solar panels.
The main thing you need to do before investing in a solar panel system is to check out all of your options. Ideally, you want to choose a system that has a powerful battery backup and durable parts. Once you find a system you like, you will need to hire professionals to install it. These same professionals can help you maintain the panels over time. In most cases, you will need to clean the panels and test the batteries to keep your system running efficiently.
Think About Adding a Tankless Water Heater To Your Home
The average household uses lots of hot water. If you are using a traditional water heater that features a tank, you are probably wasting a lot of energy. Every time the water in this holding tank cools off, it has to be reheated when you want to take a shower or wash clothes. This process uses a lot of energy, which can ramp up the cost of your electricity bills.
If you want an energy-efficient way to heat the water you use, then investing in a tankless water heater is a great option. With this modern solution, you heat water at the point of entry. Not only does this reduce energy consumption, it also provides you with an unlimited supply of hot water. You can also avoid the aggravation of replacing your water heater due to a rusted tank. There are many different tankless water heaters on the market, which means you need to do your homework before selecting one.
As you can see, there are a number of things you can do to make your home more energy-efficient. With these tips, you can conserve energy and save money.