Six Simple Upgrades for a More Energy-Efficient Home

With spring upon us, it’s a great time to start making changes that will improve your home’s comfort while lowering your energy spend. Improving your home’s energy efficiency doesn’t have to involve major renovations; here are six simple ways:

Upgrade your Home’s Insulation

Proper insulation in your home helps to maintain a consistent temperature by reducing heat transfer. Consider upgrading your attic, walls, and floors with high-quality insulation materials. Newer materials like spray foam and blown-in cellulose can offer better temperature control and resist moisture and pests. Upgrading your home’s insulation will maximize energy efficiency and can significantly reduce heating and cooling costs.

Seal your Ductwork

In homes with forced-air heating and cooling systems, hot air can escape through leaky joints in the ductwork, resulting in major energy loss. By sealing ductwork using heating-vent tape to all visible joints, you can prevent valuable conditioned air from escaping. You’ll stop paying to heat places where it is not needed (like crawlspaces, attics, or an unfinished basement) and get heat to the rooms that you use.

Upgrade your Windows and Doors

Replacing old windows with energy-efficient models can prevent drafts and reduce energy loss. Look for windows with a high Energy Star rating and features like double or triple glazing, low-E coatings, and gas fills for optimal performance. These energy-efficient features will keep the harsh elements out and reduce the noise from the outside world, making your home a quiet, comfortable retreat.

Light the Way with LED Bulbs

One of the easiest energy-efficient upgrades you can make is to replace traditional incandescent bulbs with light-emitting diode (LED) lighting. LEDs use up to 75% less energy and last much longer, making them a cost-effective and eco-friendly lighting option. Switching to LED bulbs can lead to significant energy savings.

Explore Renewable Energy Sources

Look into renewable energy sources, such as installing solar panels, to reduce your dependence on fossil fuels and lower your carbon footprint. Solar panels generate clean energy and can lower your electricity costs. While the initial investment may be substantial, the long-term savings and environmental benefits can make it worthwhile.

Strategic Landscaping

An effective way to improve your home’s energy efficiency is by embracing nature to reduce energy use. By planting trees and shrubs around your property, you can create strong barriers against heat gains and losses. Placing deciduous trees in the southern and western areas of your home can help provide shade in the summer, potentially lowering your air conditioning needs. Adding evergreen trees and shrubs to the northern side of your home will break the wind, helping to retain heat during the winter months.

You may also want to consider conducting a home energy audit to begin your journey toward energy efficiency. An audit can be done by a professional for the most complete evaluation to identify areas of energy loss and inefficiency. However, a thorough do-it-yourself audit can also identify key problem areas without the cost.

Lastly, consider a fixed-price energy plan for your home (in states that are deregulated) from a retail energy supply provider like AEP Energy. A secure price from AEP Energy will help keep your bills stable and protect your bills from fluctuating utility rates. To learn more, click here. Implementing these improvements to enhance your home’s energy efficiency, you can create a more comfortable living environment while lowering your utility costs.

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