Is your home energy efficient? Is energy efficiency really important? Even if you don’t believe in global warming, and if you don’t, please consult the expert reports from the best scientists all over the world, you can still reduce your utility bills if you ensure your home is in tiptop energy shape. Here are four ways to make certain you maximize your home’s energy efficiency and help reduce your utility bills.
1. Air Circulation
Air circulation goes beyond your windows, HVAC unit, and ventilation system. You should also keep the air circulating in your attic. You might not realize this but your attic can have numerous negative impacts on your homes energy efficiency, especially in the summer. Hot, stagnant air permeating the attic makes the indoors harder to keep cool, so have some attic vents installed to circulate the attic’s air.
You can also circulate the indoor air with ceiling and standing fans. This works in the summer and the winter. Ceiling fans have two blade settings to ensure they circulate the air for maximum comfort during both seasons. Standing fans keep the cool air flowing from the AC and the warm air flowing from the heater. You can also use them in your windows to bring cool air in or direct hot air out.
2. Insulation
None of the above will work if you do not have your home properly insulated. Insulation in the attic, walls, and even your basement protects your home against the outdoor environment. In the summer, insulation blocks the heat from seeping through the walls. In the winter, insulation prevents the warm indoor air from going outside. Is your insulation old or non-existent? Maybe it’s time to replace.
3. Roof
Your roof can also affect how energy-efficient your home is. Some of the best roofing materials repel the sun’s ultraviolet rays, which keeps your attic cooler and home cooler. The materials also protect against heat loss in the winter, which is crucial because heat rises, so you don’t want the warmth seeping through the top. Your roof is your home’s best defense from the outside, so make sure it is sound.
4. Doors and Windows
Your doors and windows can also have a negative effect on your home’s energy efficiency. If they are old, worn, not sealed properly, or compromised in some other way, they will allow the outdoor air in and the indoor air out. If you have single-paned windows, this, too, will affect how hard your HVAC system has to work to keep the indoor environment at the thermostat’s set temperature.
Look into new windows if your old windows need replacement. If the windows and panes themselves are still in relatively good shape, you might get away with resealing them, which is a DIY job you can do with the proper materials from your local hardware store. Don’t forget about your doors, either. They should be sealed, weather stripped, and fit properly in the jambs.
When your home is energy efficient you decrease your carbon footprint, which is important. You also reduce your utility bills, which is the bomb diggity. Think about what you can do with that savings. Vacation on a tropical island, here you come!