Looking to make some big energy savings at home? While there are small measures you can take to lower your energy bills such as turning off lights when not in rooms and setting the temperature a degree lower, bigger investments may be necessary to truly help you save some money in the long run. Below are just a few examples of investments that can reduce your energy bills.
Roof/attic insulation
Uninsulated roofs and attics can be a major source of heat loss. Investing in roof or attic insulation can help to trap heat in your home longer, reducing the amount of energy you need to use to keep your home warm. There are many different ways to insulate a roof including using insulation boards, mineral wool or spray-on insulation. Costs of installation can vary depending on how big your roof/attic is. Make sure to hire a professional insulation installation company to do the job properly.
Double pane windows
A lot of heat can also be lost through windows – especially if your home has single pane windows. Upgrading to double pane windows can help reduce heat loss through windows by as much as 50%. It’s even possible to take things further and invest in triple pane windows to trap in even more heat. A window installation company can help you to upgrade your windows.
HVAC upgrade
A HVAC upgrade may be overdue if your HVAC system is over 25 years old. Outdated technology and wear and tear of parts means that old systems are often very inefficient compared to modern solutions. Given that HVAC uses more energy than any other appliance or component in your home, the difference in cost can be major. Consider hiring an HVAC technician to inspect your system and see whether they recommend upgrading your system. A new system won’t be cheap to install, but it could greatly reduce energy usage in your home.
Tankless water heaters
Are you still using a traditional water tank to heat water? These systems consume a lot of energy – switching to tankless water heaters could greatly reduce energy consumption by only heating water when hot water is needed instead of keeping a tank constantly warm. A plumbing company will be able to install this water heating system for you. Getting rid of a traditional tank might also help to free up much needed space in smaller homes.
Solar panels
One of the biggest ways to slash your energy bills in the long run is to invest in solar panels. These panels can allow you to harvest energy from the sun instead of relying on mains electricity. With enough solar panels, it may even be possible to power your entire home using sunlight – meaning you’ll never have to pay an energy bill again. Of course, solar panels are expensive and you may end up having to pay for installation in installments over many years, preventing you from immediately noticing the savings. Take your time to compare prices and look into grants, which do exist in some states.