As time passes, certain parts of your home may require some updates. However, renovations can be both exciting and challenging. On the one hand, you’re taking steps to improve your home’s comfort and energy efficiency, but on the other, you need to make plenty of complicated decisions, which can lead to lots of stress.
There’s no need to worry, though. The right home improvements can not only help you save money by reducing your electricity usage but also add value to your property if you ever decide to sell. If you’re not sure where to start, you can choose to take on a water heater replacement project or replace your windows. Taking a closer look at your insulation and investing in new appliances is also a great idea.
Moreover, by saving money on energy bills, you will be able to use them to finance everything you couldn’t afford before, such as traveling or one of your hobbies. Saving energy means living an eco-friendly lifestyle, which is great for the planet and future generations. Read the article below to learn more about renovating your home to save energy!
Table of Contents
Take Care of Your Hot Water System
If you’re still using a water heater that heats up an entire tank at once, you might be interested in switching to a tankless model which heats up the water as it’s being used. The upfront cost of the purchase and the installation might seem quite high, but you’ll save money in the long run.
By installing the tankless water heater, which is one of the most commonly recommended models on the market, you will be able to avoid wasting energy that’s required for heating a whole tank of water and therefore lower your bills.
On the other hand, if your old water heater seems to be malfunctioning, you might want to check how long do hot water heaters last. Oftentimes instead of replacing the entire heater, it is enough to buy just new parts.
However, before you make the decision to buy a new water heater, you should also have a careful look at your water pipes. If anything looks worn out, is starting to rust, or isn’t properly insulated or secured in place, you should address these issues first.
Get the Most Out of Your Appliances
You can significantly improve your home’s energy efficiency by replacing old, power-hungry appliances with more energy-efficient models. For example, you might consider replacing a traditional electric furnace with a gas furnace. Gas furnaces are more efficient, as they take less energy to heat the air circulating through your home.
You can also replace your refrigerator, washing machine, oven dryer, and dishwasher with more energy-efficient models. When buying new appliances, make sure that you dispose of the old ones in a proper way and always pay attention to the Energy Star rating.
It’s also a great idea to ensure that you keep your appliances in tip-top shape. For example, you can clean or replace the filters of your air conditioner and the dryer on a regular basis. Also, make sure you clean your clothes dryer’s lint trap after every use and clean the ducts of your air conditioner as recommended by a professional.
Replace the Windows
Replacing your windows is the next smart step you can take in order to improve the energy efficiency of your home. For instance, if your windows aren’t double-pane, it’s one of the first issues you should address. Double-pane windows are much better when it comes to insulating your home. They are helpful in preventing the hot air from escaping during the cold months and keeping the excessive heat outside in the summer.
Install a Sun Tunnel
In a situation where there’s a windowless room in your house, you can also consider installing a sun tunnel. Whether it’s a dark corridor or a utility room that’s too far from the roof for a skylight, illuminating it with sunlight might be the perfect solution. It’s a very simple tool that can provide lots of natural light in the parts of your home where a window can’t be installed. A sun tunnel will help you save money on electricity and change the look of your home for the better.
Other products in category: Sun Tunnels
£333.33 tax excl.
Other products in category: Sun Tunnels
£375.00 tax excl.
Insulate More
One of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to improve your home’s energy efficiency is by adding more insulation. In fact, this is something that can be done with minimal effort but will yield great results.
For instance, you can ensure your attic is properly insulated. You can insulate the walls and the ceiling, as these are the points where most of the hot air escapes through. You can consider using materials such as fiberglass batt, mineral wool, or cellulose. The choice of the material will depend on how much of your attic is finished, so consider consulting a professional before making a decision.
Conclusion
To sum up, whether you’ve already started renovating your home or your project is still in the planning stages, by following the tips above you should be able to make your home a more energy-efficient place.
You can replace your old appliances with the new ones and make sure that you take proper care of them, so they can work well for many years to come. On top of that, it might be worth replacing your water heater and making the transition to a tankless model. Switching to double-paned windows is also a great idea, and if you have any windowless rooms, then sun tunnels may be an excellent solution. Additionally, you should never underestimate the power of proper insulation.
Keep these four tips in mind and enjoy living a more comfortable life!
