In this guide we will cover steps you can take to make your home more energy efficient by performing a whole home energy audit, replacing your old appliances with energy saving models, installing energy efficient doors and windows, correcting home insulation inadequacies, and exploring a possibility of upgrading your existing HVAC equipment with a geothermal heating and cooling system.
What is a whole Home Energy Audit / Assessment?
Consider performing a whole home energy audit in order to increase overall energy efficiency of your home. Performing a thorough home energy assessment will help identify sources of energy loss in your home. Your home energy audit contractor will suggest any necessary corrections and energy efficient improvements to your home.
Home Energy Audit
It may be recommended to you to replace your old air conditioners with an integrated energy efficient heating and cooling system, potentially you may even be offered a renewable energy alternative such as geothermal heating and cooling system, which can cut your utility costs by well over a 50% margin, and doing so may eventually even pay for itself.
geothermal heating and cooling
Installing energy efficient windows, doors, and additional insulation in your home’s walls and attic can be another great way to increase overall energy efficiency of your home.
How to Reduce Your Utility Costs with Energy Efficient Appliances?
Did you know that replacing your old appliances can be an effective way to lower the overall cost of your household utilities? Lowering the cost of the utilities by replacing the washer and dryer with newer energy efficient models can help to reduce the wasted water and power that are used within the model and can therefore reduce the expenses for your household.
What should you consider when choosing new appliances?
The first thing that should be considered is the energy star rating of the new appliances that are being purchased. It is important to take into account the usage and overall energy efficiency, in comparison with the usage and energy efficiency of your existing appliances.
There are many ways to save even more while shopping for appliances that are going to be used to replace energy inefficient models in the home. For instance, using grants that may be available through your state, or federal government, manufacturer rebates that are available through your local home improvement store, and incentives offered by your local utility companies.
There are many options that are available for changing the appliances in the home. From the energy efficient laundry machine systems to the dishwashers and other kitchen appliances that can be used to make your home more energy friendly. This way, you are not only going to update a look and feel of your home, but you are also going to decrease the overall costs of running your home.
As an added bonus, replacing old appliances in your home can be an effective way to increase the overall value of your home. This is a great selling point for people who are considering to sell their house in the near future.
Think of energy saving appliances as building blocks on the road to reducing your operating costs of living in your home.
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Environment Conservation,Home and Garden,Home Improvement
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[...] and loans available that can cover the cost of a geothermal heating system as well as other energy-saving home improvements that are worth looking [...]
Installing Energy Efficient Insulation that carries an Energy Star rating can be a great way to cut your heating and cooling costs… This is especially significant in extreme climates. Your home’s wall and attic loft space can have quite a bit of energy leaking out.
I also agree with the energy efficient windows, but only in conjunction with an energy efficient insulation being installed as well. Otherwise it is money wasted with little energy efficiency gain otherwise.
Unfortunately, most of the federal grants and tax credits have expired.
Well, yes and no. While the old ones did expire, there are now some really cool savings, both federal and local, on the installation of PV solar Power systems for homes and businesses. For instance in the state on New Jersey there is a company called SolarCity, that will pay you to have their PV solar power system installed on your property… Now, that is a paradigm shift in going green!