Making your home more energy efficient has many benefits for you and your family. More energy efficiency will help you save money on energy bills. And you might also qualify for certain rebates. But more than saving money, some energy efficient features can increase the comfort of your home. You can make your home have better air quality and less noise. All this and you are contributing to a healthier environment. Check out these energy efficient features every home should have.
Energy Efficient Features for Your Home
1. Effective Insulation
One of the best ways to make your home more energy efficient is with effective insulation. A few hundred dollars spent on insulation will pay for itself in energy savings within a short period of time.
The first place to start adding insulation is in the attic. That is where you will see the most immediate benefits. Next focus on insulating exterior walls and your home’s foundation.
There are a number of different types of insulation to consider using. Some are more environmentally friendly than others. And more energy efficient. So talk to an expert while you consider the pros and cons of various types of insulation for your home.
2. Energy Efficient Lighting
Another simple way to make your home more energy efficient is to swap out your incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent lamps, also called CFLs.
CFLs are energy efficient lights that are smaller versions of full-sized fluorescents. The light they produce appears similar to an incandescent bulb and they screw into standard light sockets.
LED light bulbs are another energy-efficient lighting option. And they come in many bulb styles. As the technology of LED light bulbs has improved, so has the price. And LED bulbs last a long time.
A simple lighting swap can make a big difference in the energy efficiency of your home.
3. Energy Star Appliances
Energy efficient appliances are marked with the government-backed symbol for energy efficiency, the Energy Star.
These Energy Star appliances will help you save money and make your home more energy efficient.
You can find Energy Star appliances for almost every area of your home. They include washers and dryers, dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers, and more.
Although the thought of replacing all your appliances at once with Energy Star models may not be realistic, you can replace them over time as your old appliances begin to break down. And as time goes on you will have a more energy efficient home.
4. High-Efficiency Water Heater
Heating water accounts for about 15% of a homes energy use. When you purchase a high-efficiency water heater, you can use 10-50% less energy heating water.
Not only is this an energy savings, but it will also save you money every month on your utility bills.
High-efficiency water heaters come in several different models including the high-efficiency water tank, the tankless on-demand model, heat pump, or solar with electric backup.
Do some research and find out which type of high-efficiency water heater would fit best in your home.
5. Low Flow Showerheads and Toilets
It probably won’t surprise you that toilets use a ton of water. When you install a low flow toilet it’s possible to save up to 5 gallons of water per flush.
The next time you need to replace a toilet in your home, look into low flow or low volume toilets to make your home more energy efficient and cut down on water use.
Similarly, low flow showerheads are a great way to save money and energy on your water usage. You can also find low flow faucets for your bathroom sinks if you want a truly energy efficient bathroom.
If you’re not ready to replace your bathroom fixtures, you can still save on water and increase your home’s energy efficiency by checking all your water fixtures for leaks and making repairs as needed to avoid unnecessary water loss.
Why Be Energy Efficient?
Increasing your homes energy efficiency is a great way to save money on essentials like water and utility bills. And in addition to making your home more comfortable, it also increases its resale value. All this, plus you are reducing your environmental impact on the world. So, start making changes towards a more energy efficient home today!
