Energy expenses for the average household may account for a significant portion of a family’s income. Nowadays, people are looking for practical and simple ways to cut their energy costs. Although most people think of renovation as a way to make their home more functional and beautiful, some people do renovations for energy efficiency purposes only. So if you want to make your home more energy efficient and save money on your utility bills, consider these simple home renovations.
Why Consider Energy-Efficient Renovations?
Nowadays, most people want to live in energy-efficient homes. People care more about our planet and energy sources than ever before and want to be environmentally conscious. In the world, 25% of the global wood harvest, 40% of stone, sand, and gravel, and 16% of water are used for the construction process. Since we have limited resources and energy, we can do our part by saving energy with some home renovations.
However, this is not the only reason to consider energy-efficient renovations. Saving energy can cut your utility bills dramatically and save you money in the long run. Above all, your home will be a more efficient and comfortable place to live.
Energy-Efficient Home Renovation Ideas
Before starting a home renovation, consider energy-efficient design options. These home renovation ideas will help to reduce your monthly utility bills while saving the environment.
1. Consider a Home Energy Audit
Before starting a home renovation, the first step is to do a Home Energy Audit. A home energy audit or a home energy assessment evaluates your home’s energy use, safety, and comfort. It can reveal where your house is losing the most energy and help determine the best way to stop it. You can ask a professional to do this assessment for you or do it yourself. However, we suggest leaving this job to the professionals since they are the experts.
2. Seal Air Leaks Around Doors and Windows
One of the most effective ways to avoid energy loss in your home is to block air from coming in. Usually, in older homes, you can see gaps around doors and windows that let air get in. The first and easiest way to seal these gaps is to apply caulk. This is an easy job that you can do yourself, or leave it to professionals to make sure that the job is done correctly.
3. Replace the Windows
Windows transfer heat and are responsible for 25%-30% of the energy we use in our homes for heating and cooling. As a result, if saving energy is your concern, you should pay special attention to this part of your home. Older homes in Philadelphia usually have old single-pane windows, which are responsible for a lot of energy loss. According to Energy.gov, replacing these types of windows with Energy Star windows will save you $285 annually. Even if you have double-pane windows that are not Energy star rated, you can save $60 annually by replacing them. Fun Fact: Did you know that by replacing one single pane window in your Philadelphia home with an Energy Star rated window, would save you enough money in one year to feast on 48 cheesesteaks?
4. Install Low-Emissivity Storm Windows
If the cost of a double pane window is too high, you can consider installing low emissivity (Low-E) storm windows. These windows cost one-third of a double pane window while saving you the same. You can add them to the inside or outside of your current windows.
During summer, Low-E windows help keep the home interior cool and block infrared radiation. While in the winter, these windows keep the heat inside, keeping your house at a comfortable temperature. Besides helping to conserve energy, they are aesthetically beautiful and help reduce noise.
Read related article: Keep Your Home Energy Efficient with Low-e windows
5. Install Energy-Efficient Window Attachments
Another option is to use energy-efficient window attachments such as shades, shutters and awnings. These attachments regulate your home’s temperature and help you save energy. They can be interior or exterior and different types provide different energy-saving rates. For example, insulated cellular shades, which are window attachments made of one or more honeycomb layers, can reduce heat loss through windows by 40% in cold seasons.
6. Install New Exterior Doors
Exterior doors are often made of solid wood, metal, or some other material that is both secure and weather-resistant. Most people do not realize how much an energy-efficient door can help them save energy. By replacing your home’s exterior door with an Energy-Star rated one, you will benefit from a more consistent temperature inside and lower your utility bill.
7. Install Low-Flow Showerheads
Low-flow shower heads use two mechanisms to reduce water usage. The first mechanism is Aerating Spray, which allows air into the stream; the other is a Non-Aerated Spray, which uses pressure. Both mechanisms reduce the amount of water used when the shower is on. They also reduce the amount of energy needed for a hot shower; the reduced amount of water being used during the shower results in less energy being used to heat that water. Low-Flow showerheads use up to 60% less water than standard showerheads. Less water use and less heating of hot water means lower utility bills!
8. Install a Programmable Thermostat
A programmable thermostat enables you to pre-set a schedule for heating and cooling and helps you save energy. You can modify the times you turn on the heat or air conditioning according to a pre-set schedule. Also, with a preset schedule, you can set the thermostat to change the temperature at different times throughout the day. These thermostats provide you with a 10% saving on your heating and cooling bill.
9. Install Energy-Efficient Appliances
Home appliances account for 20% of electricity consumption in households. Nowadays, with improved technology, you can easily replace your appliances with energy-efficient ones. Energy Star-rated appliances come with higher prices but consume less gas and electricity. These appliances use 10 to 50% less energy compared to non Energy Star-rated ones. Therefore, paying for Energy Star-rated appliances can be an investment.
10. Choose Eco-Friendly Materials for Renovation Projects
Producing building material greatly adds to the production of greenhouse gasses like CO2. Eco-friendly building materials not only benefit the environment but also provide cost savings. You can pay less for many materials in your home renovation by choosing eco-friendly materials over conventional ones. For example, recycled metal is less expensive than new metal. You can use recycled metal for your home renovation, which is more energy efficient and cost-effective.
Let’s Do it Together.
I know it can be overwhelming when you hear about all the changes you could make to save energy and protect our environment, but do not worry, our team of experts at Matrix Company Solutions Corp. is here to help.! Our experts provide you with the best energy-saving renovation ideas for your home. Together we can save energy!
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