Is your home an energy hog? If so, odds are you’re shelling out big money every month just to keep you and your family comfortable in the home. Don’t let a fear of high costs prevent you from taking steps today to make your home more energy-efficient. There are many small measures you can take to make your home more energy efficient that will allow you to start saving money today for more expensive home improvement upgrades tomorrow. Get started with these 3 affordable ways to improve your home’s energy efficiency.
1. Install a programmable thermostat
A programmable thermostat can help you save money by automating your home’s heating and cooling systems. If you’ve occasionally forgotten to turn down the thermostat at night, then you know how expensive this oversight can be when the monthly utility bills arrives. Programmable thermostats let you pick the time of day to turn the heat and air conditioning up or down to reach the ideal compromise between home heating and cooling comfort and energy expenses. With individual settings for Saturday, Sunday, and days of the week, programmable thermostats can really be game changers. According to U.S. News and World Report, you can save up to 10 percent off energy bills just by installing a programmable thermostat.
Are replacement windows a solution to make your home more energy efficient?
Our Window Replacement Buying Guide can help you know about the cost, benefits, and the many replacement window options available for your California home.
2. Replace drafty windows
Old windows drain air and money right out of your home. Caulk, weatherstripping, and other insulating techniques provide some relief from drafty windows, but do not do enough to make the windows energy efficient. By replacing old windows, you can save money every month and will soon recoup the cost of the initial investment in new windows.Rebates on new windows can make this energy efficient upgrade even more affordable for home owners, and home financing is also available if you need to upgrade windows, but cannot afford the full cost of doing so at present.
3. Seal your home from energy leaks
A skilled contractor can seal your home from energy leaks that drain money out of your pocket. Sealing measures include caulking doors and windows, adding weatherstripping around doors and windows, sealing air gaps around energy vents or wiring using caulk or expanding foam, and patching up leaks in the attic or basement. While you can seal energy leaks yourself, it’s better to have a contractor do it because they’ll use the right material to seal up each area of energy leakage quickly and efficiently, to maximize your savings.
These three home improvement upgrades prove that you don’t need to spend a lot of money to make your home more energy efficient. For more information on home energy efficiency, or to get a quote on home upgrades like window replacement, please contact us today.
