Affordable Ways To Improve Home Energy Efficiency This Spring

Improving the energy efficiency of your home is a great way to save money on your utilities every month. What’s even better is the fact that you can make energy-efficient home improvements on a budget.

What comes to mind when you think of an energy-efficient home? You may envision solar panels, high-tech appliances, and other costly home upgrades. However, there are a few inexpensive ways to reduce your home’s energy consumption that are worth exploring.

Insulating the Attic

Insulation is key for energy efficiency because it helps manage the flow of air in and out of the house. Without insulation, your home cannot properly regulate internal temperatures, which can lead to damage caused by condensation or even pipe bursts. Insulating your entire home is a costly and laborious project, but a good place to start is in your attic.

You can insulate exposed areas of your attic with attention to the perimeter, joists, and doorways. Ideally, this should be done after you’ve completed a full-roof inspection and any necessary repairs, as installing insulation before the inspection could hide problem areas from view.

Reinforcing and Treating Windows

There are various ways to treat and reinforce your windows to create an air-tight seal that can help increase energy efficiency. These treatments, like weatherstripping, caulking, or window film, can be applied directly to the glass, around the frame, or in any irregular-shaped gaps.

Weatherstripping and caulking should be checked throughout the year and replaced if there are signs of lifting, gapping, or cracking. Check out this article to learn how to properly insulate windows.

Replacing Light Bulbs

Another affordable way to improve your home’s energy efficiency is to replace your old light bulbs. Investing in light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and/or compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) can help save energy and money. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, LED bulbs use approximately 75% less energy than traditional, incandescent bulbs and can last up to 25 times longer.

Of course, you can also save on your electric bills by opening the curtains and taking advantage of natural light. During your yearly spring cleaning, take some time to make sure your windows are in proper working condition. Check out this guide to window construction and proper maintenance.

Cleaning Air Filters

Regularly cleaning your air filters is extremely important for improving energy efficiency and, even more importantly, keeping the occupants of your home safe and healthy.

Dirty air filters can make your heating and cooling systems work harder to regulate temperatures throughout the home. The Department of Energy reports that routinely replacing your air filters can lower your air conditioner’s energy consumption up to 15%.

Additionally, dirty air filters may create air pollution that triggers allergic reactions, and in worst-case scenarios, they can become fire hazards.

Here at Advance Inc., we are proud to serve our communities by providing outstanding services and reliable resources. If you’re considering hiring a professional service to help improve the energy efficiency of your home, contact us today. We are happy to answer any of your questions.