5 Interior Home Renovations That’ll Boost Energy Efficiency
Considering that most people’s biggest investment is their homes, it makes sense for them to prioritize proper upkeep for value appreciation purposes.
?One way to increase the worth of real estate is to invest in the right renovations. And if you focus on renovations that can boost your home’s energy efficiency and keep more money in your wallet every month, then that looks like a win-win proposition.
?Certain interior upgrades can improve your home’s energy efficiency, lower energy bills, and deliver comfort. While some projects can be DIY affairs, others will go much better if you hire skilled contractors with experience handling interior projects.
?With that said, what follows are four interior upgrades that will make your home more energy efficient and deliver long-term benefits.
?1. Install Energy-Efficient Windows
?Good windows are among the higher-priced interior upgrades. If your windows are older and aren’t keeping your home as warm as you want in the winter or as cool as you want in the summer, they may have lost some of their insulation properties.
?That’ll be a problem since the interior of your home will be uncomfortable, place extra pressure on your HVAC system, and increase energy use in the process.
?By replacing your existing windows with double- or triple-pane low-emissivity windows, you will cut down heat transfer. New windows have insulating gases like argon or krypton and special glazing material that reflects infrared light back outside.
?Besides saving you money, replacement windows will block unwanted noise from outside and repel ultraviolet rays.
?2. Replace Older Appliances with ENERGY STAR Models
?Appliances consume much of the electricity in your house. Your washer, dryer, refrigerator, and dishwasher likely consume a great deal of power if older than 10 years.
Replacing them with ENERGY STAR-certified appliances will make your home more energy efficient. Appliances must meet certain energy efficiency benchmarks to earn the ENERGY STAR designation, so buying such appliances will help boost sustainability.
?3. Max Out Insulation
?Maybe one of the least discussed, but one of the largest, indoor energy efficiency improvements is to ensure you have sufficient insulation and seal any air leaks. Ineffective insulation allows inside air to seep outdoors and outdoor air to seep indoors, making your heating and cooling units work harder. Check the following to avoid such issues:
?Attics and crawl spaces: These are huge heat loss and gain areas. Adding insulation or replacing the insulation already there will reduce energy consumption.
?Interior walls and floors: Older homes may not have enough insulation. Adding more, if necessary, will help improve sustainability.
?Doors, windows, and baseboards: Weather stripping and caulk will seal cracks.
?Getting an energy audit will give you an idea about where your house is losing energy. This will reveal the most important places to focus on in terms of insulating and sealing.
?4. Install LED Lighting and Energy-Efficient Fixtures
Don’t forget lighting. In addition to potentially installing new light fixtures to give your home a classy new look, consider replacing incandescent light bulbs with LEDs. One source states that ENERGY STAR-certified LEDs are as much as 90% more energy-efficient than incandescent light bulbs and can last 15 times longer.
Replace existing fixtures with new energy-efficient, dimmable, and motion-sensing fixtures. And put sensors in low-use locations such as closets, laundry, and bathroom areas so lights are automatically shut off when not required.
?And while remodeling a kitchen or bath, add under-cabinet LEDs and task lighting, which offer useful lighting with very little energy usage.
?These recommended upgrades can be done separately or together as part of a transformative renovation project. No matter the reason to go green, save money, or invest in the future, energy-efficient upgrades can be a bargain when considering that sustainability saves money.
?Remember that you don’t have to do everything at once. Start with one or two upgrades and add more at your own pace. These wise investments will pay off in the future, not just with lower utility bills, but also in a warm, environmentally friendly home that you’ll love coming home to.
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