Is your home as energy efficient as it could be? Saving energy at home has many benefits from lowering your monthly energy bills to reducing your household’s environmental impact. If you want to know how to make your home more energy efficient, try any or all of the following tips.
Replace Old Windows
One of the best ways to make your home more energy efficient is to replace your old windows with new ones. Depending on how old your windows are, they may not be insulated, may consist of lesser quality materials, and may not be well sealed. Current technology has made it possible for less heat to pass through windows, keeping the heat out in the summer and keeping it in during the winter. This allows your HVAC system to operate more efficiently as well, running less often and for shorter periods of time.
Upgrade your Insulation
Insulation is another way to make your home more energy efficient. While insulation is used in all homes when they are built, not all insulation is of the same quality. Higher quality insulation will do a better job of keeping heat in or out, depending on the time of year. Consider upgrading your insulation, especially if you live in an older home.
Properly Seal Doors and Windows
The gaps around windows and doors are one of the most common energy drains in homes. Does your home feel drafty in rooms with exterior doors or rooms with more windows? You could have some gaps that need to be sealed up. Weather stripping around doors does eventually deteriorate and need to be replaced periodically. Inspect the weather stripping around exterior doors for cracks or signs of wear and replace it if necessary. Another benefit to getting new windows is that they will be properly sealed during installation.
HVAC System Tips
Nearly half of all of the energy usage in a household comes from the HVAC system (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning). But there are many ways to help it operate more efficiently.
- Get a programmable thermostat. Smart thermostats can be programmed to automatically adjust the temperature setting based on the time of day. You can set it to know when everyone is typically away from the house or to know when you usually go to bed and get up in the morning. Once you set your thermostat to operate within your schedule, you’ll save energy without even thinking about it.
- Use optimal thermostat settings. Setting your AC to 78 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer and 68 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter is ideal for energy efficiency. Dress accordingly to help make those temperatures feel more comfortable.
- Make use of fans. Whether you have ceiling fans, box fans, or oscillating fans, use them to reduce the amount of energy your AC uses. You can set your thermostat higher and still feel comfortable with the moving air a fan provides. A fan uses much less energy than your air conditioner.
- Upgrade to a new HVAC system. If your HVAC system is more than 10 years old it is using more energy than a new high efficiency system. With advancements in technology, you could save a significant amount of energy and reduce your monthly energy bills by upgrading your HVAC system.
Electricity Saving Tips
Small actions and habits can have a big impact on your electricity usage. Here are some tips for saving electricity around your home.
- Unplug chargers when not in use. How often do you unplug your phone when it’s done charging and leave the charger plugged into the wall? Believe it or not, the charger still uses electricity even when your phone isn’t plugged into it. This goes for tablet chargers, laptop chargers, and any other type of electronics charger.
- Unplug appliances and electronics when not in use. It may seem inconvenient, but unplugging appliances when not in use can reduce your energy usage by as much as 10%. This goes for kitchen appliances, computers, TVs, fans, and more.
- Use power strips to make it easier to manage electronics. Does unplugging everything seem like too much trouble? Plug your electronics into a power strip and you can simply flip a switch to turn a bunch of things off at once. Use power strips for your computer, your TV and related electronics, and even kitchen appliances.
Improve your Home’s Energy Efficiency with New Windows from Zen Windows
If you want to know how to make your home more energy efficient, start with a free quote on new windows from Zen Windows Twin Cities. We offer top quality windows with the highest efficiency ratings at an affordable price. All windows come with a lifetime warranty on labor and materials.
Call (763) 286-6871 today to inquire about new windows for your home or request a free 5 minute online quote. We look forward to helping you save energy in your home with high efficiency windows.
