5 Ways to Keep Your Home More Energy Efficient
Ryan Lynch is part of the http://www.jimolenbush.com/ Austin real estate team. Their brokerage specializes in http://www.jimolenbush.com/northwest-austin.htm Northwest Austin real estate and neighborhoods such as Jester Estates.
Making your home more energy-efficient isn’t just a great way to save money, it is also a good selling point when it comes time to put your home on the market. Here’s a look at a few of the steps you can take to make your home more energy-efficient without having to spend a lot of money.
Install New Window Coverings
There is no doubt about it – a substantial amount of energy is lost every day through the windows of your home. Therefore, one way to make your home more energy efficient is to minimize the amount of heat that escapes through your windows by choosing the right window treatments.
The most energy-efficient type of window treatment you can purchase is one made with honeycomb construction, but any type of window treatment will help cut back on your energy costs. It is particularly important to use a window treatment on windows that face west, as the hottest light comes in through these windows. South-facing windows, on the other hand, are important sources of natural light. Therefore, these windows only require light coverage. As an added bonus to helping save energy, window treatments also help prevent furniture fabrics, paintings and rubs from fading.
Sealing Leaks
No matter how great your window treatment, you will still lose heat if you don’t seal the leaks in your windows and in your doors. Finding leaks is usually an easy process, as the airflow can generally be felt around the door or window frame. Sealing these leaks is also simple, as it only requires installing some weather stripping or using caulk or spray foam. You just might be surprised by the amount of energy savings you enjoy after taking these steps.
Ventilate Your Attic
A well-ventilated attic helps to control both moisture and temperature. By keeping your attic cooler and dryer, you will not only reduce your energy bills, but you will extend the life of your roof as well. There are several ways to increase attic ventilation, but the easiest way is to install a ridge vent at the peak of the roof. Not only are these vents relatively easy to install, they also provide the most airflow possible when installed properly.
Get Insulated
Installing insulation throughout your home is the best way to keep it warm in the winter and cool in the summer. There are several different types of insulation that you can install. These include:
* Cellulose insulation – a cost-effective and environmentally friendly option, cellulose insulation is a loose-fill insulation that needs to be blown into your walls and attic
* Fiberglass roll insulation – available in short and long pieces, fiberglass roll insulation can be used to quickly cover open spaces and can be purchased in plastic sheathing for itch-free installation
Purchase Energy Star Appliances
If you need to replace your appliances, consider sticking with those with the Energy Star designation. Energy Star appliances are far more efficient than traditional appliances. Although these appliances are often a bit more costly than those that have not been designated as Energy Star, you will recoup the cost over the lifetime of the appliances. Furthermore, when the time comes to sell your home, prospective buyers will be impressed by the appliances you have selected.
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January 27th, 2010 - 2:48 pm
Great ideas on how to make your home more energy-efficient without having to spend a lot of money. Thank you for sharing these to your followers Ryan. Would you consider adding solar control window film to the list? Several window film manufacturers now have CLEAR films that block over half the heat – no more worry about dark shiny tint. ENERGY STAR rates appliances with returns on investment of 4-5 years while window film can offer much faster return while at the same time making you more comfortable. Free information on types of window films or window tints are available at http://www.TintBuyer.com. Window tints are one of the most practical way to save on your energy consumption while caring for the environment.