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Many people think that for a home to be energy efficient, one has to pay a high price. What happens is the opposite; when you take measures to make your home more energy-efficient, you will be saving more money on electric bills and adding value to your property.
Whether you are buying a new property or renovating your present home, don’t forget to follow these 5 steps to improve your home’s energy efficiency.
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Add Insulation in Your Home
If you keep dealing with high air conditioning and heating costs every month, you need to start looking at your home’s insulation. Your HVAC unit will be forced to work harder if the indoor air is allowed to escape through poorly insulated and sealed areas.
To confirm if your home is experiencing insulation problems, call a qualified home energy auditor to do an energy assessment in your home.
You may also get the information from your builder if you live in a newer house. Your attic, roof, wall, and floor are good targets for insulation.
Use Solar Energy
Many people have turned to the use of solar energy because of the significant benefits it offers. These include cheap electricity, diverse applications, low maintenance costs, and increased home value.
According to the US Department of Energy, “each kilowatt-hour (kWh) of solar that is generated will substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions like CO2, as well as other dangerous pollutants such as sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter”.
Not only will you be able to save money on your monthly electric bills, but you’ll also be helping preserve the green environment if you start using solar to produce electricity in your home.
Switch to LED Lights
Your home’s lighting system consumes a significant amount of energy. Both indoor and outdoor lights add functionality and security in your home, so turning off a few bulbs is not the solution you’d like to go with.
The best way to upgrade your home’s lighting system without the high costs is by replacing incandescent, fluorescents, and compact fluorescent lamps with the popular LED lights.
LEDs use up to 90 percent less power than other lighting devices, helping lower the energy bills you have to pay every month.
You can find LED light fixtures in a variety of base colors, perfect for your decorative lighting setup at home.
Lower Your Thermostat
If you’re looking for ways to cut energy costs, start with the responsible use of your thermostat. Lowering the temperature of your thermostat will reduce your energy bill, among other benefits.
Instead of completely turning off your AC, consider dropping your temperature to five to ten degrees. This is especially handy when you’re leaving home for days and have no one to take care of your plants.
You’ll be happy to see your plants still as green and healthy as you left them. The cool environment will help your plants survive without the scheduled daily watering.
Forgetting to lower your thermostat when you leave home is a common occurrence for homeowners. A programmable thermostat will do the work of adjusting the temperature according to your home’s needs. No more manual thermostat adjustments to worry about.
Install a High-efficiency AC Unit
When trying to improve the energy efficiency of your home, you need to look at the appliances and systems you install. Installing a low-efficiency air conditioning unit is no different from running an old AC system, which means higher energy bills to pay.
In order to save a considerable amount of energy every month, choose a high-efficiency AC unit to install.
The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio or SEER rating of an air conditioner must be over 13 to be considered high efficiency. However, the size of the space you are cooling and your cooling preferences may affect the energy efficiency of your unit.
Why You Should Consult Your Local HVAC Company
Before you go out in the market shopping for a high-efficiency AC unit to install, consult a reputable HVAC company first to save time and money. With a wide array of air conditioning products available today, you will surely have a hard time making your final pick.
With assistance from HVAC experts, you rest assured that you are putting your money on the best product and brand in the market. Schedule a service appointment with a high-profile HVAC team today.
