How You Can Maintain Your Energy-Efficient Home
Living in an energy-efficient home is all about finding your ideal sense of comfort, lowering your energy costs and reducing your carbon footprint. A few strategic changes around the house are all it takes to hit your energy efficiency goals. Consider the most common forms of residential energy waste in the average North American home and what’s available to fix them.
Upgrading Your HVAC System
Heating and cooling represent over half of the energy use in most homes. When your HVAC system is old, it may have to run longer and work harder to achieve the desired temperature. Oversized units are also a concern, as they are prone to short cycling, leading to temperature fluctuations, poor humidity control , and excess wear and tear on the system. Then, air duct leaks waste more energy, forcing your system to make up the losses to reach the desired temperature.
The fix: Invest in a properly sized high-efficiency HVAC system and have the system’s ductwork tested for efficiency. After, schedule preventive maintenance to keep the system performing at its best for years to come. Installing a programmable thermostat also helps. Installing one allows you to set temperatures more precisely based on your schedule, so you don’t heat or cool the house when you’re away for the day.
Old Lighting
Old incandescent bulbs are well-known energy wasters. In fact, they lose a lot of their energy to heat, which isn’t just wasteful—it also forces your AC to work harder.
The fix: Upgrade to LED bulbs, which use significantly less energy and last far longer. Also, don’t forget to switch off lighting when you leave a room. And for good measure, unplug any electronic devices when you’re not using them. For the most savings, consider installing smart bulbs and plugs to manage devices wherever you need to.
Leaky Doors and Windows
Drafty windows and doors lose lots of indoor heat in the winter and allow hot, humid air to seep into your home in the summer. In both cases, your HVAC system is forced to work overtime.
The fix: If you can’t replace all the windows now, add caulk and weathers tripping around doors and windows to close some of the gaps. If you’re thinking about a window upgrade, go for double- or triple-pane windows with low-emissivity (low-E) coatings. These windows reduce energy loss by creating an insulating air barrier between the inside and outside of your home.
Old Appliances
Outdated refrigerators, dishwashers and washing machines consume higher power levels than energy-efficient alternatives. Insufficient upkeep will sometimes make things even worse.
The fix: Operate your appliances with efficiency in mind. This includes waiting until the dishwasher is full to run it, washing clothes in cold water and not overpacking the dryer. In fact, you should consider line or air-drying when you can. As for your refrigerator and freezer, keep the coils clean to improve efficiency. And when it’s time to get new appliances, look for high-efficiency models with ENERGY STAR® labels. They’re designed to use less energy without sacrificing performance.
Water Heaters
Your plumbing’s old water heater is a major power drain, especially when it’s kept at excessive temperatures or is actually larger than necessary for your home. Water heaters also lose heat through pipes without insulation, adding unnecessary costs to your monthly expenses.
The fix: Consider installing a tankless water heater, which provides hot water on demand. If that isn’t cost-effective as an option, wrap your water heater and pipes with insulation for better efficiency, adjust the thermostat to 120 degrees and never neglect water heater maintenance.
Too Little Insulation
If your attic, walls and flooring have too little insulation, you’re most likely wasting energy, not to mention money. Proper insulation keeps heat indoors during the cold months and out during the summer, so your HVAC system doesn’t have to overexert itself.
The fix: Add insulation to the attic, usually the most cost-effective spot for added insulation. There are many types of insulation to work with, like fiberglass rolls, blown cellulose and foam insulation. Consulting an experienced technician is almost always worth it for the valuable insights and quality work.
Take Advantage of Solar Energy
If you’re interested in going even greener, consider switching to solar power. Panels alone can light your home during the day while an attached battery backup saves power for nighttime use and on stormy days. While these systems come with up-front costs, government incentives like tax credits are available to help reduce some of the expense.
Maximize Comfort and Energy Efficiency
Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing can assist you in creating a greener household. Our ACE-certified technicians deliver quick, yet lasting results that keep your HVAC, plumbing and electrical systems working efficiently. Thanks to our 100% satisfaction guarantee, you can have full confidence in our work the first time. To set up a meeting, please contact us today.
