An energy efficient home is good for the environment, good for the community and good for the pocket book. By installing the most energy efficient appliances, and by making eco-friendly upgrades, homeowners can save money on utilities and improve their property value at the same time. There are a multitude of ways that homeowners can improve their energy efficiency. These six tips can help them choose the best projects for their property.
At Litchfield Builders, we help our customers pick the right home improvement projects to boost their energy efficiency. That's why we offer a free Home Remodeling Checklist, available for download. This checklist can help anyone who owns a home to get started on their energy efficient home remodeling project.
Energy auditors are professionals who inspect homes for energy leaks and wasted energy. Energy auditors inspect all household systems relating to energy consumption, including the insulation, ductwork and electrical system. An energy audit can help homeowners who want to improve their home's efficiency by providing a roadmap for future improvements. An energy auditor can tell homeowners which energy leaks are most problematic, which changes need to be made first and how to get the maximum efficiency out of the home's existing systems.
Once the audit is performed, the next step to improve household energy efficiency is to create a remodeling plan. Homeowners who want to make multiple changes over the course of years or months can start by weighing factors like ROI, which projects have the biggest impact on household energy efficiency and which projects are most affordable.
The best home improvement projects will save money on bills while also reducing a home's carbon footprint. There are many projects that meet this criteria, including:
The kitchen is a major energy culprit. There are many ways that standard kitchens leak energy and waste natural resources. Homeowners can improve their kitchen's energy efficiency by making the following renovations:
Of all the parts of the home that leak energy, windows tend to be the worst. Especially in older homes, windows tend to be a giant source of air leaks and temperature fluctuations. The ENERGY STAR program estimates that a household can save hundreds of dollars per month by replacing their single pane windows with energy efficient double or triple pane models.
In Connecticut, some homeowners hesitate to replace old windows because modern windows can change the look of a historic house. They may not realize that even new, efficient windows can be made from traditional materials like wood. These beautiful, modern windows have the look and charm of old windows. Talk to a contractor to find out more.
A deep energy retrofit is one of the single most important steps a homeowner can take toward achieving energy efficiency around the house. Deep energy retrofitting is similar to weather stripping, but it goes much further. In most households, deep energy retrofitting involves upgrading the cooling and heating systems, improving the building envelope and installing a source of renewable energy (like solar panels).
Every house has different needs when it comes to a deep energy retrofit, so homeowners must talk to an experienced contractor to find out what can be done for them.
Not all remodels need to happen on a large scale. There are many things that homeowners can do to improve their energy efficiency, either with or without help from a contractor. For example:
Some homeowners have a hard time identifying the small things that can be done to improve insulation around the house. Those who don't know what improvements to make can work with a contractor and energy auditor.
Are you planning an energy efficient upgrade? What's your plan for improving energy efficiency around the home? If you're a homeowner who wants to improve the energy efficiency around the house, working with an experienced contractor throughout your home remodel can help. There are many ways to improve your energy efficiency on big and small projects. Replacing the windows, sealing the building envelop, sealing ducts, improving weather stripping and installing ceiling fans can all help homeowners who want to make their home more eco-friendly.
At Litchfield Builders, we help homeowners determine which upgrades can improve their energy efficiency the most. To find out more about how you can make your home more energy efficient, contact us today. You can also download our free Remodeling Toolkit for information about getting started on your upcoming home remodel.