For Texas homeowners, there are a variety of ways to create a home centered around sustainability and efficiency. In this day and age, it’s inevitable to rethink the way you use energy in your home. Closely examine how you can make changes that have a positive impact on the environment while saving money every season. Use these tips when trying to create a more energy-efficient home:
Consider Eco-Friendly Light Bulbs
A fairly easy way to create a more eco-friendly home is by switching out your current light bulbs for energy-efficient ones. These come in a variety of shapes and sizes that can shine even brighter than your previous ones. Replacing your traditional lights with more efficient options comes with a relatively low cost compared to larger projects like replacing major appliances or installing all new windows. If you have never replaced a light fixture before, ask for help or guidance from a local professional.
At the end of the day, these bulbs can reduce the amount of energy that’s required to power them. Something as simple as replacing light bulbs throughout your home can lead to a drastic decrease in your monthly electricity bill. Plus, most energy-efficient light bulbs last longer than incandescents. Even though you spend more upfront, you won’t have to replace them as frequently. Choose longevity and sustainability over tradition.
Exchange Your Windows
Homeowners often underestimate the role that their windows play when going from one season to the next. Effective windows can protect the interior from inclement weather such as rain, powerful winds, and surprisingly for the Texas region, snow. Older, worn-down windows tend to allow drafts and gusts of cool air into the home. It’s best to replace them with new ones as soon as you can.
The most desirable windows to replace your previous ones efficiently trap cool air during the summer and hot air in the winter. When deciding which windows to invest in, consider the frame, cladding, sash, and coating. These specific traits can distinguish which windows are the best fit for you and your Texas home. If you need assistance, hiring a professional window replacement technician can resolve any doubts you may have. This may seem like a relatively expensive project but can provide long-term solutions to any window issues you may encounter.
Upgrade Your HVAC
Another effective step when trying to create a more eco-friendly home is to upgrade your HVAC system. The purpose of this project is to improve the overall comfort of your home. Over time, older HVAC systems can get clogged, dusty, and can lead to water leakage, electrical failure, and other prolonged issues. New HVAC systems are more efficient at treating the air that passes through them to provide cleaner, healthier air. Clean indoor air quality can reduce allergy and asthma issues along with reducing the amount of maintenance required.
Replacing your old HVAC with a new system provides significant savings on your energy bills annually. An efficient HVAC system warms your home in the winter and cools it during the scorching summer months. When searching for the right HVAC read the labels, you want to pick an HVAC with a high rating from Energy Star. Ensure that the unit you decide to purchase is the right fit for your home. Try communicating with a contractor to decide what fits best as professional assistance is always helpful.
Invest In Energy Efficient Appliances
When creating a more sustainable home, invest in energy-efficient appliances with the Energy Star symbol to aid in your conservation efforts. Items like your refrigerator, air conditioner, stove, oven, and many others can significantly impact your bill every month. By devoting more time to incorporating sustainable features throughout your home, you can preserve energy and money alike.
It’s critical to choose the right size appliances for each specific spot in your home. For example, make sure your refrigerator fits in the right location, and consider the most spacious areas for your washer and dryer. When you review specific appliances, carefully read the energy efficiency labels and ensure that the energy-saving settings are in line with what you had in mind. For some Texas homeowners, it may be helpful to consider a home warranty policy for these new appliances as well. This policy can protect your new or old appliances from organic wear and tear that can occur over time.
Re-Examine Your Insulation
Insulation is always a major factor in determining how much energy you are using, or wasting, unknowingly. When properly installed, insulation can keep your home at a comfortable temperature and can directly reduce any heating and cooling costs. Cracks in your home’s infrastructure can lead to unwanted drafts and openings to the outdoors. Visually and physically reassess the interior of your home, especially target spots like windows, entry doors, and any other noticeable flaws.
To start, weatherstrip every entry door; this can provide protection from water and leaks of air. Another positive precaution is to caulk your windows. In order to effectively caulk your windows, assess for any cracks or openings that may need attention. Don’t caulk over existing caulking; older caulking will only continue to break down over time. Ask yourself if your home has been re-insulated, and if not, check your basement or attic to see if your insulation is either fiberglass or foam. If it’s fiberglass, it would be extremely helpful to replace your fiberglass insulation with foam. The foam insulation is much more resistant to air infiltration and can fill in those tight spaces the fiberglass might have missed.
Conclusion
These initiatives are easier said than done, but if executed correctly, they can effectively help you save money and energy in your home. It’s essential to combine these tactics with a more sustainable at-home lifestyle. Reassess your home lifestyle and combine these efforts to create a more energy-efficient environment.
Looking for more resources? Dive into The Smart Home: a homeowner’s guide to eco technology and renewable energy and Living Sustainably: A homeowner’s guide to energy efficiency during COVID-19 and beyond. You will find tips on:
Photo credit: Climate Central A recent study exposed that Texas leads the country with the most…
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