Energy-efficient Home Improvement Projects For Winter – Since 2003, Dan Green has been a leading mortgage lender and respected industry authority. Her unwavering commitment to first home buying and home buying education has positioned her as a trusted voice among her colleagues, peers and the media. Dan founded the American dream of home ownership to extend it to all who want it. Read more about Dan Green.
Your trusted guide to home ownership. Since 2003, our team has provided real-world expertise and advice to millions of American homebuyers. Our content is based on its integrity: it is real, unbiased and free of external influences. Read our editorial guidelines.
Energy-efficient Home Improvement Projects For Winter
Issuer affiliated with the mortgage company. We receive compensation when you click on certain links on the website or when you apply for a mortgage with a partner listed in our comparison table. Our partners compensate us differently, so we randomize our schedules to protect our readers from distractions. We may receive compensation for advertising on the Site, which is clearly stated. Our software limitations, whether we originate mortgages in your area, and credit factors may affect the offers and comparison tables you see in different areas of this site. We do not offer for every existing mortgage product. One day we hope.
The Impact Of Window Replacement By Kathleenksmith
This article was checked for accuracy on February 3, 2024. We ensure that every piece of information we share reflects the latest mortgage standards. Learn more about our commitments in our editorial guidelines.
An energy-efficient house is designed to reduce and save energy. Construction, appliances and key home features can all affect performance, so there’s a lot to consider when buying your first home.
In addition to wanting to protect the environment, more and more families are considering sustainable options for affordability and health. A growing environmental industry means more contractors are becoming aware of how homes are built.
When looking for a home, sustainability is definitely something to consider. You’ll want to work with a home inspector to assess key sustainability concerns like insulation, but there are many aspects you can identify on your own.
Winter Home Improvement Projects To Tackle In The Midwest
Energy efficient homes are designed to reduce energy consumption without compromising home comfort. Here are 14 things to ask when looking for an energy-efficient home.
The size and shape of your home can have a surprising effect on its energy efficiency. Building a larger house requires more raw materials and has a larger surface area with more opportunities for heat transfer and drafts, so the extra space for heating and cooling costs more.
The shape of the house can also affect efficiency. Rooms with open floor plans and high ceilings are difficult to keep warm. These rooms have more space to heat, which requires more energy to keep things comfortable. Homes with more doors and walls create more confined spaces, so your heating and cooling uses less energy to maintain temperature.
The orientation of your windows has a direct effect on the average room temperature and natural light. You should consider how different rooms can be best presented in different parts of the house.
Home Energy Saving Ideas You Can Implement Now
Rooms with windows facing north and east do not receive much light and are cooler than the rest of the house. Rooms that face north and east are ideal environments for kitchens that can generate their own heat and are not used enough to require additional light.
South and west facing windows receive significant amounts of direct sunlight and keep these rooms warm and bright without the need for electricity. It is very suitable for rooms that the whole family enjoys all day long, such as the living room. However, these rooms can get hot in the summer months, so you’ll need curtains or blinds to manage the temperature.
Your home’s entry points can reduce your home’s energy consumption. The Department of Energy estimates that 25 to 30 percent of residential energy used to heat and cool a home is lost through windows.
Consider your windows or doors. Windows, in particular, have evolved over the years, and you may want to replace old, single-paned windows. Depending on the climate where you live, storm windows, additional boards or gas-filled windows can help insulate your home.
Community Resource Project, Inc. > Services > Energy Efficiency
You should check your windows and doors for proper fit and make sure there are no air leaks. You can check for drafts, noticeable gaps in the frames, and any sticking when opening or closing any windows and doors. It’s a good idea to have your home inspector double-check all entry points.
Water heaters account for 19% of average home energy use, after heating and cooling as the largest consumer of residential electricity.
Traditional water heaters store and heat large amounts of water at once—and not all of that water is always used when it’s hot. Tankless water heaters are more energy efficient and only heat the water you need.
Tankless water heaters are usually wall boxes rather than large tanks, so they are easier to identify. Of course, it’s always best to talk to your home inspector for more information.
Smart Ways To Cut Your Utility Bills
Insulation is essential to maintain the temperature of your home. This prevents heat transfer from the inside of the house to the outside, so your heating and cooling systems don’t have to work as hard.
Cooling alone accounts for 16% of a home’s energy use, so it’s important to know how well your home is insulated. Ask your home inspector to make sure your home’s insulation is effective and in good condition—especially if you’re buying an older home.
Energy Star ratings are available for EPA-certified and energy-efficient appliances. These certifications help consumers choose energy-efficient products and are easy to find – look for the blue energy star symbol on certified appliances.
When upgrading your appliances, it’s best to start with the ones that have the biggest impact on your energy consumption. Home experts agree that ENERGY STAR certified clothes dryers and refrigerators are energy efficient upgrades.
Passive Solar Homes
Lighting accounts for 5% of average home energy consumption. Upgrading to LED lighting throughout your home is an easy way to save energy. These lamps consume only 20% of the energy of a traditional incandescent lamp and last up to 25 times longer.
You may want to check if your light bulbs are energy efficient. Check the Energy Star rating and prioritize replacing appliances in high-traffic areas like your kitchen and living room. Fixture features such as dimmers and timers can have a positive impact on your energy consumption.
An airtight house prevents energy waste and protects your health. The less leaky your house is, the harder it is for air to escape and air to enter. This means that your heating and cooling will not have to work hard even in extreme temperatures.
Ask your home inspector to check for air leaks and make recommendations on improving the sealing and ventilation of your home.
Low Cost Ways To Make Your Home More Energy Efficient
Smart devices can automate everything from home security to your morning routine. It’s no surprise that smart technology can lower your energy costs.
Heating and cooling systems use more energy than any other home appliance, so a smart thermostat is a great way to reduce your energy consumption. You can control and adjust the temperature of your home from anywhere and set routines.
Smart lighting systems work similarly to automate your energy usage for safety. Smart appliances such as refrigerators and dryers also have creative solutions to energy problems. For example, some refrigerators have cameras so you can see what’s in the refrigerator without opening the door.
Roofs see a lot of sunlight, so the material and color of your roof can affect the performance of your home. Cool roofs have become a popular choice to reduce the amount of heat your roof retains from the sun.
Energy Efficient Home Features For Aspiring Home Buyers
Roofs stay cool by reflecting sunlight instead of generating heat by trapping it. A light-colored ceiling is a good choice because it naturally reflects sunlight. If you want to keep the roof for a dark look, you can use a membrane or other reflective coating to prevent heat retention.
Cool roofs help maintain the temperature of your home and can also affect the temperature outside. In fact, when more buildings in the community have cool roofs, cities can see lower energy needs and lower greenhouse gas emissions from electricity generation.
Most energy efficient homes are planned for sustainability from the start. The materials used in a home can affect its overall performance, especially when considering the foundation and insulation.
Landscaping of a home can affect its energy efficiency both externally and internally. First, your landscape probably needs water, and the EPA estimates that about half of municipal water use is for watering lawns and gardens. A landscape consisting of moss or native plants will reduce water requirements more than grass. The size of your yard also has a direct impact on the energy required for landscaping.
How To Plug Leaks In Your Home And Save Energy During Winter
Landscaping can help save energy inside your home. Well-placed trees provide relief from the sun in the summer months, while sunlight helps warm your home in the winter. Likewise, A