These days it is becoming more and more important to strive for energy efficiency in your home. Saving energy is not only good for the planet, but it will save you money on your energy costs as well. If you want to go green at your home but are not sure how to do so, here are a few suggestions to get you started.
Duct Redesign
Depending on the age of your house, it may be time to redesign your duct work. A reworking of this system can vastly improve the airflow in your home, which in turn makes the heating and cooling systems much more efficient. If you are unsure of the quality of your ductwork, give us a call and we can come out, take a look, and offer you recommendations for ways to improve your system.
Upgrade Your Windows
You may not realize it, but your current windows may be hurting your energy usage by decreasing the solar heat gain, which can leads to an inconsistent temperature in your home. When you upgrade to more energy-friendly windows, you add insulation that can help keep your room temps more uniform, which nearly eliminates cold and hot spots near your windows.
Moisture Control
Having too much moisture in your home is a real red flag that could lead to problems with mold, mildew or fungus in places where you don’t want it. These growths are ugly and unhealthy. Eliminate them with green moisture control products that take the place of dehumidifiers and energy-intensive fans.
Air Sealing
Do you ever find yourself boosting your heater up to full capacity just to find that you’re spending more energy to increase the heat than you’re getting out? That may be due to excess air leakage thru the walls, ceilings and floors. By identifying these air leaks and eliminating them, you can use your heaters and air conditioners more productively, which also cuts down on your energy costs.
Insulation Improvement
Proper insulation is key to maintaining a green home. Without a sufficient amount of insulation, you might as well leave a window open, because you are letting a certain degree of heat out of your home via that poor insulation. Improve your insulation situation and experience comfortable indoor temperatures year-round while also downgrading to smaller HVAC appliances.
Lighting and Appliance Upgrades
If you are using older model lights, fixtures and appliances in your home, you may be wasting more energy that you might realize. By upgrading to more modern, energy-efficient lights and appliances, you are vastly improving your energy output while saving money on your electricity bill.
These tips are just the iceberg when it comes to the energy-saving upgrades you can make to your home to create a greener environment. To schedule a consultation and learn even more valuable information about your home, call Rick’s Energy Solutions today at 707-578-5380 (office).