Do you want to make an investment in your home that will eventually pay for itself? These super-smart energy efficient home upgrades are exactly what you need!
“Wow! The electric bill this month is so cheap it should be a crime!” Said no one ever. As a community, we all constantly strive to cut our costs and raise our awareness of green energy.
For years, we as a people have been steadily consuming the Earth’s natural resources without regard to any damage it may cause. In the last 10 years or so, though, all of that started changing. Many people started switching to more energy efficient lights, electric cars became more common, and people even began installing solar panels.
Unless your home was built in the last 5 years, though, it probably isn’t equipped with the most energy efficient upgrades. We’re here to help make the transition to green energy safe, swift, and simple.
Read on to upgrade to a more energy efficient home today.
Replace and Recaulk
The first thing that you can do to your home is replace or recaulk old windows and doors.
By replacing and recaulking your windows and doors you’ll completely stop, or at least vastly reduce, air flow between your home and the great outdoors. It’s no secret that houses aren’t built airtight, and when hot air seeps through the cracks in your old windows, your AC has to work twice as hard to keep you cool.
Unless you enjoy having your windows open and letting the fresh air flow through, this simple change will make a drastic difference in your light bill.
Replace
Replacing your old windows will not only give you a break on your power bill, but it will also give you a fresh new look and increase your property value. New, energy-efficient windows are made in a variety of different ways. You can get windows with double paneling to allow extra insulation or Low-emissivity glass panels, which help reduce the suns rays be nearly 90%.
When determining whether or not you should replace a window, looks for rotten frames or condensation between window panes.
Recaulk
Sometimes a full replacement is neither cost-effective nor necessary. Simply recaulking your windows and doors can reduce the airflow and reduce your energy consumption. In other words, lower your electric bill.
If you’re not familiar with caulking, consider looking for a professional to help you out. Adding caulking the wrong way can end tragically for your home’s resell price.
Get Solar
The sun is a giant ball of burning gas, and it emits a whopping 3.86 x 10^26 watts of energy. If you’re not familiar with the mathematics, just add 24 zeros to that number and you’ll have an idea of what we’re talking about.
There are thousands of solar providers near me, you, and the rest of the world. So with all of this energy, why wouldn’t we harness it?
Outdoor
Solar panels are increasing in popularity by the minute. Thousands of people are upgrading their homes by adding 1, 2, or 30 solar panels to their homes.
Installation is a fairly simple process, however, you’ll want to have a professional contractor handle the installation. If done incorrectly, you could end up with leaks, holes, or other various roof damages.
Did you know that the power company in your area will actually pay you to have solar panels? Did you know that you can deduct up to 50% of solar panel installation costs on your federal tax return?
Indoor
Pretty much everyone knows that you can put solar panels on your roof, in your garden, or even on your pool. But, did you know that you can utilize solar panels indoors?
Have you ever wondered why your calculator has that little solar panel in the corner, but it still works inside? A lesser known fact is that incandescent and fluorescent bulbs mimic the Sun’s spectrum, effectively letting a solar panel charge. While you won’t be able to power your entire house with indoor solar energy, you’ll be able to power small devices.
Switch to LEDs
Switching to LED light bulbs is a simple, yet cost-effective way to upgrade your home to be more energy efficient. But, what exactly is an LED? And How does it work? Let’s go over it.
What’s an LED and how does it work?
Let’s start off with the basics. LED stands for light emitting diode. These little bulbs pack a punch, proving to be 90% more effective than standard incandescent light bulbs.
Have you ever wondered why LED lights don’t get hot like traditional bulbs? LED works by passing an electric current through a microchip, which then lets off visible light. The heat that is generated from the electrical current, unlike traditional bulbs, is absorbed into a heat sink.
When an LED bulb is nearing the end of its life, you’ll notice that the bulb is considerably dimmer than when you first purchased it. LEDs don’t burn out like traditional light bulbs. Instead, they experience something called lumen depreciation.
Upgrade Today for A More Energy Efficient Home
Upgrading to have a more energy efficient home is not only great for the environment, but it’s also fantastic for your home’s resale value and puts a cushion in your pocket.
Your home probably isn’t the only thing that needs an upgrade, have you upgraded yourself? Do you still drink bottled water? Forget to recycle? Take long, hot showers? While you’re upgrading your home, try to make small changes in your life that will greatly impact the world of green energy. Check out these 3 strategies to become more energy efficient.
Save the trees, save your power bill, and save your wallet. Upgrade today.
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