Using energy responsibly is a priority for many homeowners, whether they want to reduce their environmental impact or lower their electricity bills every month. Thankfully, there are many ways to make your home more energy-efficient.
Maintain Your HVAC System to Make Your Home More Energy-Efficient
When your furnace and air conditioner are in poor condition, or you never change the filter, they will be working harder to maintain a comfortable temperature in your home. Dirty filters increase wear and tear on your HVAC system and raise your energy bills. If you can’t afford to upgrade your HVAC equipment to a more modern system, change the filters regularly and hire a technician for preventative maintenance.
Use a Tankless Water Heater
While you might not think of your water heater as an appliance that uses a large amount of energy, it works around the clock to keep the tank of water heated. To make your home more energy-efficient, replace your current water heater with a tankless water heater. These heat water rapidly without the cost of keeping a whole tank of water hot around the clock.
Program Your Thermostat
To boost energy efficiency, start by using tools already available to you. A programmable thermostat allows you to set up your heat or air conditioning to adjust automatically throughout the day. For example, set the heat at a lower temperature when you’re at the office during the day. Program it to return to a warmer temperature 15 minutes before you arrive home.
Insulate to Make Your Home More Energy-Efficient
Add insulation, especially if your attic is not insulated at all. This product works by stopping heat transfer, making it harder for warm air to escape in the winter and cool air to escape in the summer. Adding insulation to your attic and other parts of the home can reduce your heating bills by as much as 50%.
Seal Around Doors and Windows
Most doors and windows are finished with weatherstripping to help stop air leaks. Over time, this material can deteriorate and will need to be replaced. Check around your windows and doors for airflow. Purchase and install new weatherstripping to block leaks and keep your home warmer in the winter and cooler during the summer months.
Pro Home Inspection Services offers inspections to home buyers and sellers in Charleston and the surrounding areas. Contact us to request an appointment.