6 Effective Energy Efficient Swaps for the Home

Home improvements aren't always about making your home look better or increasing its value. However, both are extremely important aspects to consider. But, some of the best upgrades you can make are those that save you money in the long run. Sure, some might come with an overall higher outlay, but over time, they will work to recoup this cost and lower your bills so that, with time, they're actually saving you money. And the less you pay out for bills, the better, right?

This post is going to take a deep dive into some of the best home upgrades you can make that will save you money.

New Windows

Installing new windows is about more than making your home look good; it's essential for improving energy efficiency. Your windows are one of the main ways heat escapes from your home, and if they are ineffective, damaged, or old, you can lose up to 30% of your home's heat through them.

Switching to more energy-efficient windows can save you around 13% of your energy bills, and over the years, this can be a significant saving, especially if you're upgrading from single-pane windows to double or triple glazing. Talking to window installation contractors can help you understand the different types of windows available for your home and get the right windows that not only boost your home's value but also boost your energy efficiency.

Increase Insulation

Insulation, like windows, protects your home from energy loss; it traps warmth in and stops air from escaping or entering. And there are multiple points in your home that you can insulate to help you boost energy efficiency.

A properly insulated property can reduce your heating and cooling costs by 15% on average and 10% of total energy costs and estimates put figures around the $400 per year mark for savings.

But the actual savings will depend on the energy upgrades you make, the areas of your home you insulate and the type of insulation you use. For example, if you choose cellulose insulation for your attic you could save up to 50% on your energy bills while spray foam can yield potential savings of up to 40%.

But where should you look to insulate? Your attic, basement, cavity walls, flooring, foundations, crawl spaces, garages, and knee walls. Talking to a professional can help you identify the type of insulation you have now, if any, and what levels you have to discuss, either adding new options entirely or topping up existing levels.

Fix the Flow

It's not just about the actual energy you use but the overall consumption of utilities, and this includes your water usage. Old faucets, leaky showers, etc., can all drive up your water consumption and bills, which can be extremely costly over the year. Swapping to low-flow fixtures might seem like a lot of hassle, but it could cut your water consumption by 50% and lead to savings of over $140 per year.

Modern designs mean they don't really make much of an impact; you will notice some that's important to understand, but cutting your bills or being more conscious of the water you use is a good option. Devices like this can cost as little as $20, and this can be a great way to start the change and get used to low-flow features in your home.

LED Lights the Way

LED lights are more energy efficient; there's no denying that. Firstly, they last up to 10 times longer than standard incandescent bulbs, and they will save you around $6 per bulb per year. Which doesn't sound like a lot, but if you have 20 bulbs in your home, you save $120 per year.

This is possibly one of the best and most cost-effective changes you can make to help people cut their energy bills, and while it might seem insignificant when introduced with other energy-saving options, the savings will actually be more substantial.

Seal It Up

It's all well and good making other energy efficent changes, but if you're not addressing air leaks; it's all just wasted money. And honestly, fixing leaks on its own is much more effective than most other options for reducing heat loss and cutting energy bills.

Drafts can and do sneak in from anywhere, and you need to fight fire with fire and block them before they become too much of an issue. Seal drafts in your window frames, door frames, vents, attic spaces, and any other areas that might be causing you trouble. Take your time to go around each and every room and check for any drafts. A good tip is to use a piece of paper or even a small flame. If they flicker, then there's air coming in or escaping, and this is an area you need to address.

You can use spray foam, weatherstripping, and caulk to seal the gaps as appropriate for the location and type of issue you're dealing with.

Programmable Thermostats

This is where things get a little less costly and infinitely simpler. Changing your thermostat programming is free. It doesnt cost you anything unless you need to upgrade to a new one. But it does require you to get a bit “techy”.

Small changes to your thermostat, such as adopting the recommended setting of 68 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter will deliver you maximum savings. The idea is to set it as low as is comfortably possible for you and to maintain a more even temperature throughout the day.

A good example for winter can look like this.

• 68°F 30 mins before your day starts to warm the house
• 60 to 62°F while everyone is out for the day
• 68°F around 30 minutes before people start arriving home
• 60 to 62°F overnight

Of course, this might not suit everyone, and experimenting with different temperatures is paramount to get it just right, but it's worth the effort. Smart thermostats, on the other hand, can learn your routines and help you even more by updating to what you need when you need it, so you don't even have to think about things.