Energy-efficient home improvements are worthwhile for two main reasons. Such upgrades can help cut down on costs for essential utilities and other long-term bills. Reducing individual carbon footprints can also help reduce a person’s overall impact on the environment.
Here are some home upgrades that can help you make your home more sustainable.
Repair or Replace The Roof
Between the freezing temperatures in the winter to the summer’s sizzling heat, the roof takes the main brunt of seasonal weather changes. It would be a good idea to replace the roof if it is older than twenty years, especially if you experience leaks or notice shingles missing, curling or cracking.
After removing the old shingles, consider using materials such as clay or sheet metal rather than asphalt. They will help reflect heat instead of absorbing it, naturally keeping the house cooler. If there is no need to replace the roof completely, try adding a cool roof coating to help reflect heat.
Add Extra Layers of Insulation
None of the changes made on the roof will account for any improvement in home energy efficiency unless the house is equipped with a quality ventilation system. Make sure that all the areas in the house like basements, crawl spaces, and attics are well insulated.
This will help keep the warm or cool air inside, significantly reducing the heating and cooling costs, and improving the overall comfort level in your home.
Upgrade Appliances
An energy-efficient upgrade that you can do over time is replacing appliances. Ensure that you know the current appliances’ life expectancy because they might become less energy-efficient towards the end of their life. Washing machines, dryers and refrigerators are at the top of the list for the most energy consumption. Replacing them on an as-needed basis is of prime importance, but at the same time ensure that you do appropriate research on which brands have earned the Energy Star approval seal. Household appliances are responsible for almost 13% of all household energy use. While purchasing appliances, pay attention to two things: the initial purchase price and the annual operating cost. Even though they usually come with a higher purchase price, the higher-efficiency models’ operational costs are 9-25% lower than conventional models.
Replace or Seal Doors and Windows
If the current windows are over two decades old, it is best to begin considering replacing them with more efficient models. If there is no immediate need of a full window replacement, upgrading to storm windows is an economical and easy way to raise the efficiency of age-old, single-pane windows. Windows are a significant source of energy wastage that can amount to 10-25% of the total heating bill. Depending on the climate, Energy Star windows can save 20 to 95 dollars per year on utility bills.
CONCLUSION
Energy efficiency is of prime importance now than ever before because of climate change taking place worldwide. We have to do our part, and this is the least we can do.