How To Make Your Birmingham Home More Energy Efficient
Is your home energy efficient? Does it use less energy or more energy to get household jobs done? According to Energy Star, many homes, buildings, and products use more energy than they actually need through inefficiencies and energy waste. Focusing on energy efficiency is one of the easiest ways to eliminate energy waste PLUS it lowers your energy costs. It’s a win-win! What’s more, you don’t need to install solar panels or make major changes to your home in order to make it more energy efficient. Read on for a few practical tips on how you can reduce energy waste and save money in the process.
Install energy efficient windows
Old, drafty windows are a waste of money. They are quite literally wasting your money and making your home hot in the summer and cold in the winter. By replacing your windows with ones that are energy efficient, you can stop energy from slipping away through the cracks, save on heating and cooling bills, and enjoy a comfortable temperature no matter the season!
Replace light bulbs with energy-saving bulbs
Energy.gov estimates that lighting accounts for about 15% of an average home’s electricity use. By replacing incandescent bulbs with energy efficient CFLs and LEDs that meet the EPA’s strict energy efficient criteria, you can make a positive impact on your wallet and the environment.
Insulate your water heater
The sole purpose of a water heater is to provide constant access to hot water. Unfortunately, older water tanks leak heat, causing them to use more energy to keep the water warm for when it is needed. A simple way to significantly reduce heat loss is to insulate the water heater.
If your heater is warm or lukewarm to the touch, is more than 10 years old, or has an R-value of less than 24, you should consider insulating it. Another alternative albeit more expensive, you could replace it with a new energy efficient water heater.
Replace appliances with energy efficient models
Investing in new appliances certainly does have an upfront cost and it’s not cheap. That said, you can improve performance and lower energy bills by installing refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines, and other appliances that are Energy Star certified. A larger investment, it will yield greater savings year after year.
Swap out exterior doors
Air leakage and energy waste through conduction are likely to occur if a home’s exterior door(s) are old, uninsulated, not sealed properly, or installed improperly. By swapping out old doors with newer, energy efficient exterior doors (installed correctly, of course) you can reduce the amount of energy waste drastically.
Let Serve One help and save your time and energy!
Locally owned and family-operated, Serve One Construction offers professional handyman services in Vestavia Hills, Hoover, and throughout the Greater Birmingham Metro. Specializing in window replacement, exterior door installation, water heater insulation, and other professional services, we’d love to help you tackle your home improvement projects so you can focus your energy elsewhere. In business for more than 10 years, you can count on our team of pros to deliver results!
