Top 6 Energy-Efficiency Upgrades for Existing Homes
Making your home more energy-efficient doesn’t have to be a costly and time-consuming process. There are several upgrades and improvements that can be made to existing homes to reduce energy consumption and lower energy bills.
Whether you’re looking to lower your energy bills, improve the comfort of your home, or reduce your carbon footprint, these six energy-efficiency home upgrades can help you achieve your goals.
1. Insulation
Insulation is one of the most effective ways to improve the energy efficiency of an existing home. By adding insulation to the attic, walls, and floors, homeowners can reduce heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer. This can lead to significant savings on energy bills, as well as a more comfortable living environment especially with an improved air tightness of the building envelope.
2. Windows
Old, drafty windows can be a major source of heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer. Upgrading to energy-efficient windows can help to reduce these problems and lower energy bills. Look for windows with low-e coatings, which can help to block UV rays and reduce heat transfer.
3. Heating and cooling systems
If your home’s heating and cooling systems are more than 10 years old, they may be less efficient than newer models. Upgrading to a more energy-efficient system can help to reduce energy bills and improve the comfort of your home. Look for systems with high SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) ratings, which indicate a higher level of energy efficiency.
4. Lighting
Incandescent bulbs are much less energy-efficient than compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) or LED (light-emitting diode) bulbs. Switching to these types of bulbs can help to reduce energy consumption and lower energy bills.
5. Solar
One of the best ways to increase the energy efficiency of an existing home is to install a solar energy system. This can include solar panels on the roof, a solar water heater, or a solar pool heater. These systems can help to reduce energy bills by generating electricity or hot water from the sun’s energy.
6. Smart home technology
Smart home technology can help to improve the energy efficiency of an existing home by allowing homeowners to easily monitor and control energy usage. Smart thermostats, for example, can be programmed to automatically adjust the temperature based on occupancy and usage patterns, reducing energy consumption when the home is unoccupied or when energy usage is at its peak. Smart appliances, such as refrigerators, washing machines, and dryers, can also be programmed to run during off-peak hours when energy rates are lower.
Additionally, smart lighting systems can be controlled via a smartphone or voice commands, allowing homeowners to turn off lights when they’re not needed, reducing energy consumption.
Get in Touch with Alair Homes to Upgrade Your House
By implementing these upgrades, homeowners can significantly reduce their energy bills and improve the comfort of their homes. Additionally, these upgrades also help in reducing carbon footprint, which is an important aspect of sustainability.
If you are looking for professionals to ensure that these upgrades are done efficiently and effectively, contact none other than Alair Homes. They are experts in passive house design and construction and have several years of experience in the industry.
Visit the Alair Homes website and get started with your home upgrades right away