Improving the Energy Efficiency of Your Home

Recent studies have proven that most homeowners get a failing grade when it comes to optimizing their home’s level of energy efficiency. Thankfully, it is never too late to start fine-tuning your home so that it is far more environmentally and financially friendly. There are dozens of different things a homeowner can do immediately to start trimming back on overall energy consumption.

Upgrade Your Windows
One of the primary ways in which a home wastes a ton of energy is through contending with faulty, old, or outdated windows. Old windows should be replaced with new windows that are better insulated and less likely to be a drain on a home’s heating or air conditioning bill.

Upgrade Your Furnace
A furnace that has been recently designed and fabricated is likely to be several hundred percent more energy efficient than a heater installed 20 years ago. The energy-saving difference between an old furnace and a new one is significant. Homeowners can save huge money over the long run by promptly replacing their heater with a far more energy-efficient model.

Insulate Your Attic
An airy attic that is not adequately insulated is going to bleed hot air during the winter and cold air during the summer. If, however, an attic is insulated correctly, it can reduce temperature escape by a margin of 40-60 percent or more. This means that a person will need to use their heating or air conditioning unit far less.

Buy a New Refrigerator
One of the most energy-consuming appliances a person can own is their refrigerator. Using a 10-20-year-old refrigerator is unwise, as the archaic and outdated appliance is probably using 5-6 times more energy than today’s energy-efficient refrigerators. Over the last five years, prices on energy-efficient refrigerators have dropped, making them much more cost-effective to purchase.

Have Your Energy Consumption Audited
One of the best investments a homeowner can make is to have a professional come out to their house and audit their overall energy consumption. A certified and accredited energy efficiency expert can tell any homeowner precisely what they need to do to cut their overall energy consumption levels drastically. They provide a detailed breakdown of where all of the energy is going each month.

Lori Weaver is a Luxury Portfolio Real Estate Specialist serving the greater Seattle area. As a member of The Weaver Team, Lori is passionate about supplying client satisfaction in all areas of the client journey and experience.