The end goal of every home improvement project is to create a more comfortable, efficient home while increasing its value. Boosting your home’s energy efficiency is one such sure-shot way not only to achieve all this but also to lower your carbon footprint.
And the best part–lowering your home’s energy consumption doesn’t have to cost a fortune. However, with so many options, which energy-efficient home improvement project should you kickstart after moving in?
Here are our top seven picks:
Line Your Driveway with Drought-Tolerant Plant
Starting with the simplest–cultivate drought-tolerant plants around your home and driveway. These plants are affordable, low-maintenance, and, best of all, require little water in comparison to thrive.
It’s imperative during dry climates. In the US, for example, households use about 9 billion gallons of water for outdoor purposes daily. This accounts for 30% of daily water consumption.
Therefore, with drought-resistant plants, you can save tremendously on your bill while also saving water. Additionally, the plants will provide shade, add vegetation, and help keep your home cooler during hot days.
Control Loss of Heat and Air
Warming up the homes requires a ton of energy. But did you know that 25-30% of the home’s heating and cooling energy is wasted in leaks? The most common perpetrators behind these losses are old, uninsulated, and improperly installed windows and doors.
Therefore, immediately after moving in, ensure your doors and windows are in good condition. As quick fixes, you can even install weather-stripping and seal leaks.
However, if that doesn’t solve the issue, consider upgrading them to reduce the energy loss. When purchasing new ones, go for Energy Star-labeled products, as also recommended by the US Department of Energy.
Upgrading your doors and windows will also definitely help with your seasonal home preparation. These enhancements not only improve your home’s energy efficiency but also help in maintaining a comfortable living environment throughout the year.
Switch to Energy-Efficient Lights
Energy-efficient lighting is another quick and easy way to reduce your home’s power bills. After all, if you use light daily for hours, switching to eco-friendly options will cause a sharp decline in your carbon footprint.
Plus, with the sophisticated tech available today, you don’t have to sacrifice style and function. Some of the most popular styles include:
- LED–lasts 25 times longer
- CFL–consumes 70% less energy
Even better options are intelligent lighting systems. They allow you to control the brightness, color, and even on/off schedule. They are great alternatives for driveways, hallways, staircases, and outdoor areas.
Let the Sunlight In
Installing skylights through roofs will eliminate the need for lights during the day, filling your home with natural light. Plus, when installed strategically, they can also boost your home’s heat retention.
Position the skylights on south-facing slopes. This placement will help with heating during winters without capturing as much direct sunlight as flat skylights. On warmer days, use curtains and blinds to block natural lights from warming up the rooms too much.
However, ensure the skylights measure less than 5% of your room’s flat area (with more windows) or 15% for spaces (for rooms with fewer windows).
Use Solar Panels
Solar panels offer a sustainable solution to lower your utility bills for years to come. Plus, since solar is a renewable energy source, using it to power your homes will also significantly reduce your carbon footprint.
While they do have higher upfront costs, the long-term benefit outweighs the initial investment, which includes:
- Clear energy source
- Low to no-maintainance
- Safer than other conventional power sources
Plus, the panels can be used for various purposes–helping you generate electricity and heat (solar thermal), supply clean water, and perform other household chores. So, evaluate the cost of a solar panel for your home and install it to make the house energy-efficient–while also increasing property value.
Update Your HVAC System
Your HVAC systems are responsible for keeping your home warm in winter and fall and cool in summer. However, a low-efficiency, old, dusty HVAC system can significantly increase your energy bill.
After moving into your new home, make sure to schedule an energy-efficient consultation with local HVAC contractors. With a few quick checks, they’ll recommend upgrades and equipment to make the systems more effective.
It’ll not only help save on electricity but also improve everyday comfort. With an efficient system in place, you’ll no longer have to wait hours to warm up or cool down the home.
After moving into your new home, it’s essential to ensure your HVAC system is updated to maintain efficiency and save on energy costs. For more detailed guidance on transporting and setting up your HVAC systems during a move, visit our comprehensive guide here.
Install Programmable Thermostats
A programmable thermostat is great for reducing energy consumption in your home. It will help you save on energy costs by adjusting the temperatures to your preferred degrees–higher during warm weather and lower in cooler months or when you are away.
The best part is that programmable thermostats are inexpensive. This makes it a quick offset investment for long-term energy efficiency benefits–a win-win for you.
Building Your Perfect Eco-Friendly Home
Creating an efficient home is easy–today, more than ever. With the growing focus on sustainable living, you are spoiled with options. The above inexpensive home improvement tips are a great place to start the journey of making your home more efficient.
Therefore, start small by implementing one or a few of them, but keep your long-term goal in sight. This will be your first step towards creating the perfect space that reflects your eco-friendly lifestyle–proudly.
Ready to make your move as smooth and efficient as possible? Visit our home page for a wealth of resources, tips, and expert guidance on moving into your new home. Whether you’re upgrading your space or settling in for the first time, we’re here to help every step of the way. Start planning your perfect move with us today!
We hope you found this blog post on 7 Energy-Efficient Home Improvements To Consider After Moving In useful. Be sure to check out our post on How Energy Efficient Windows Create a Thermal Envelope in Your Home for more great tips!
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