The US Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy recently published a report stating that that the average American household wastes between $200 – $400 a year of their energy bills on preventable energy loss. A couple hundred dollars a year may not seem like much to some, but over the long term, it adds up to thousands of dollars squandered. Multiply that by the millions of households in the US and… well, you get the picture. The good news is that many energy drains are preventable and, with a little investment in time and materials, can be reversed, saving you money and making your home more comfortable for your family.
Common Home Energy Improvements
- Seal air leaks around windows and doors with caulk, spray foam, and/or weather stripping. The potential energy savings from reducing drafts in a home can range from 5% to 30% per year, plus your home will be much more comfortable both summer and winter.
- Add insulation to the attic, crawl space, basement, and exterior walls. Increasing your home’s insulation is one of the fastest and most cost-effective ways to reduce energy waste.
- Maintain or upgrade heating and cooling systems. Approximately 43% of a home utility bill goes to heating and cooling. If your HVAC system is older, consider an upgrade to a newer, more efficient model. Also invest in a maintenance plan. Proper cleaning and inspection will improve efficiency and prolong the life of your system. That, combined with the proper insulation and sealing, as well as adjustable thermostat settings, you can cut your energy use by 20% to 50%.
- Install a programmable or “smart” thermostat. Save energy by regulating your home’s temperature when you are home, asleep, or away. For example, adjusting the temperature for 8 hours a day (like when you are at work or overnight) can save as much as 10% on your energy bill.
- Upgrade household appliances and electronics to ENERGY STAR or ENERGY STAR Most Efficient qualified products. Appliances account for about 15% of your household’s energy consumption, with refrigerators, clothes washers, and clothes dryers at the top of the list.
Also Consider:
- Installing an energy efficient hot water heater or an on-demand tankless water heating system
- Installing energy efficient lighting, light bulbs, and lighting fixtures
- Installing more energy efficient windows and doors
- Investing in a Professional Energy Evaluation to identify which specific improvements will make your home more energy efficient.
At LBK, when we design a home build or home improvement project, we don’t just focus on the esthetics, we also consider energy efficiency. Our designers and builders are well versed in the most efficient products like windows, doors, and on-demand hot water systems that can save you money in the long term. Feel free to contact us should you have questions about energy efficient improvements. We are more than happy to help you “Dream it. Build it. Love it.”
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