Energy Efficient Home Improvements That Save Money

Being a homeowner means constantly updating and upgrading your home. If you plan your next improvement properly, not only can you increase your home’s overall value, but you can also decrease your monthly utility payments. Here are 4 energy efficient home improvements that save money.

Energy Efficient Home Improvements That Save Money

Appliances

Appliances are one of the most energy efficient home improvements that save money. Appliances can be pricey, and can use a lot of energy each month, driving up your power bill. Among the high energy appliances are hot water heaters, air conditioners, and refrigerators. These appliances are used constantly so they tend to make up a large portion of your energy bill. But there are ways to cut these costs. For the heating and air conditioning, you can install a programmable thermostat which shuts the appliances off during the night while you sleep, or during the day when you’re at work. There’s really no need to heat/cool your home if you’re not there. As for the refrigerator, it can be replaced with a newer, more efficient fridge. You might spend more upfront, but the monthly savings will make it worth it.

Insulation and Windows

If you’re going to spend the money to heat your home, you want to make sure that your heated home stays heated. It’s important that you have a well-insulated home as it’s less prone to outdoor changes in temperature. Additionally, having old, thin windows in your home can cause drafts which can change the temperature in your home, forcing your HVAC to work harder. Upgrading to energy efficient windows will minimize the amount of hot or cold air flowing through your home, and reduce your energy bill.

Smart Home Accessories

Smart lights are becoming increasingly popular to decrease energy use. Changing lightbulbs to more energy efficient bulbs like LEDs can also save money in the long run with efficiency and longer lasting lifetime. With smart accessories you can generally track energy usage throughout the day. You can then adjust devices to reduce usage.

Solar Panels

Solar panels are a hefty cost upfront, but save money by not paying for electricity. For homeowners in areas that get a lot of sun, the upfront costs can easily offset a lot of electricity costs. Adding solar panels to your home also adds value to your home when you decide to refinance or sell. If you live in an area that doesn’t see the sun much, adding solar panels may not be the most cost effective way to lower costs.

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