Last Updated on Apr 7, 2020 by James W
There are a number of home improvement projects that will make your home look beautiful and can drive down your energy costs over time, like installing new, double glazed windows. Here are some others that can help.
Have a Home Energy Audit
A professional home energy audit (HEA) can be worth the money in energy savings. I will allow you to prioritize your home improvement projects by assessing and evaluating all the major systems and components of your home so you can identify where energy is being lost and how you can make it more efficient. In a HEA the following components are checked.
- Drafts and leaks from outlets, vents, windows, and door frames
- Attic, crawlspace and basement insulation
- Water heaters boilers and furnaces
- Appliances such as refrigerators, dishwashers, ovens, washers, and dryers.
- Indoor and outdoor lighting
Your HEA assessment may advise you to make some of the following improvements:
- Replace inefficient appliances with newer ones
- Repair leaks and drafts
- Add or replace insulation
- Replace energy-draining lighting
- Upgrade to an Energy Star home system
- Replace ineffective windows
Install Double Glazing
Adding double glazing to your home is a great way to save on your energy bills. However, when replacing windows with double glazing, it’s necessary to replace the window and frame entirely. This can be costly at the outset. You can expect to pay around $800 per square meter. But this expense will be worth it in the long-term by saving you up to 25 percent on your annual power bill.
Change Air Conditioner Filters
If you have a central cooling system you will usually find the filter in the return duct. You should be able to access it easily by removing the retainers or the vent plate. If you have a large system it may have several filters so check your HVAC specs to make sure you have them all in hand. Filters should be replaced at least once a year to keep your system running at optimum efficiency.
Install a Programmable Thermostat
A programmable thermostat allows you to record up to four different temperature settings per day. This means that you don’t have to be stuck with heating the house to 68 degrees all day and all night, but you can have your house nice and toasty for when you get home from work. Similarly, when you are on holiday, if you want to run your cooling system, to protect your household contents from humidity, you can set the thermostat to come on for brief periods during the day. If used efficiently, a programmable thermostat could make your savings of up to $150 in one year. And don’t forget, you’re not only saving money, you are also protecting the environment by reducing your output of greenhouse gas emissions.
Use these tips to drive down your energy bills and make your home more efficient.
