9 Ways to Make Older Homes More Energy Efficient
Energy prices are soaring and the environment is more polluted than ever. Many people want to live a more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly life but it can be hard with older homes. New homes often have all sorts of features that allow them to look amazing but older homes can be really hard to adapt to these needs.
Older home improvement to be more energy efficient is not just a great thing for the environment but also a money-saving technique in the long term.
Of course, many of the improvements that will be necessary to make an older home more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly may seem expensive up front, but they will pay off in the long run. In some cases, it can be a money saver right away.
For an older home, it can also increase its value. Many people aren’t really sure what improvements they can make in their home to make it better, efficiency-wise. So, this is why we have outlined several ways you can make your home better for your wallet and your environment, the right way.
Solar Panels
Solar panels are gaining more and more popularity. In fact, there is no better way to make your older home energy efficient than to install solar panels.
Saving money by creating your own power not only makes your home more energy efficient but it also increases the value of your home. You will also be able to sell some energy if you create more of it than you spend.
Solar panels do cost a bit more at the outset, but there are incentives and tax deductions that will make it even less expensive.
As a bonus, solar energy efficiency will eliminate your electricity bills and you can even sell the extra power. So, while the start-up price can be daunting, it all pays off in the end.
The value of your home increases because many people want solar panels and they want the savings that come from that.
You will be less reliant on fossil fuels and utility companies. This is actually a very good thing because the energy costs are predicted to soar in the next few years due to the lack of fossil fuels.
When you can own your own solar panels, you are not reliant on that but rather on yourself, which is really great.
If you want to take the most benefits from solar panels, make sure that you buy them instead of leasing them. There was a time when solar panels were very expensive but now they are really not that expensive and you can afford them easily.
Install a House Fan
Air conditioners are amazing but they spend a lot of energy and they are not really environmentally friendly.
Also, air conditioners don’t always work that well. The hot air can stick around and air conditioners have to work harder and longer to keep your house cool or even cool it down. This requires even more energy and your bills could be huge.
House fans can be green and make your home energy efficient.
A house fan can solve this problem because it acts like an exhaust system and cools your home. These suck the hot air from your house and make the room cooler by taking the cool air from the outside.
This makes your air conditioner run less to cool your home down and it gets your home to the temperature that you want. It saves your energy costs and makes your AC unit wear less.
Wash Your Clothes in Cold to Warm Water
The energy you need to wash the clothes goes into the heating of water. This is bad because it takes a lot of energy and it can cost you a lot.
Washing with cold water means that you cut your energy costs and consumption and it can save more than $100 a year.
Detergents nowadays are so good that they can work both with cold and warm water. So, washing with warm water costs you both energy and detergent.
There is no reason to waste all of that energy. Heavily dirty items can need hot water from time to time but essentially, you can do most washes with cool water.
Put Insulation in the Attic or Walls
Good insulation can let you control the climate of your home more effectively and make it colder or warmer than you need it to be.
Without insulation, your air conditioner will not be able to keep your home cold enough for the summer and the heat will leak during winter. This is something you shouldn’t let happen because it can put a big dent in your budget.
Many homes already have strong insulation on their walls but they don’t have proper insulation, especially in their attic. And older attics are rarely insulated.
This may not seem as important but insulating your attic will pay off a lot in heating and cooling costs.
Replace Old Windows
Nothing can be more wasteful than inefficient windows. If they are leaky, they can allow cold air and warm air to escape.
This makes your equipment work much harder to achieve the temperature that you need. Windows themselves can sometimes make all the difference.
It’s often not so cost effective to replace windows just for energy saving but if your windows are really old and leaky as they tend to be with older homes, you can actually save a lot of money by installing them. Make sure that you get the energy star windows.
There is a small difference in price, but if your windows are really that old and that leaky, it will be easy to make that money back.
There are also many energy-efficient windows on the market. For instance, there are double pane windows you can get. You can also make your current windows more energy efficient by installing storm windows or weatherstripping your windows.
Plant Trees
Planting trees and vegetation around your older home can be an excellent and cost-effective way to enhance its energy efficiency. In many older homes, insulation can be inadequate, resulting in temperature imbalances and increased energy consumption.
However, strategically planting trees and vegetation can provide natural shade and offer numerous benefits for both your home and the environment.
The shade provided by trees can significantly reduce the amount of direct sunlight that enters your home, keeping it cooler during hot summer months.
By blocking the sun's radiation, trees act as natural barriers that prevent excessive heat gain, reducing the need for artificial cooling methods such as air conditioning. This, in turn, can result in significant energy savings and lower cooling costs.
Replace Your Light Bulbs
Replacing your light bulbs may seem like a small and insignificant change, but it can have a significant impact on your energy bills and the environment. By replacing traditional incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient alternatives like LED (Light Emitting Diode) or CFL (Compact Fluorescent Lamp) bulbs, you can save up to 75% on your lighting costs.
LED and CFL bulbs, on the other hand, are designed to be energy efficient. They consume significantly less energy while providing the same amount of light or even better illumination than incandescent bulbs.
By making the switch, you can reduce your energy consumption and enjoy substantial savings on your lighting costs.
Install a Storm Door
Adding a storm door to your home enhances energy efficiency, comfort, and security. It provides insulation by creating an air pocket, reducing heat loss and gain. It blocks drafts and seals gaps for a consistent indoor temperature.
It also protects against weather damage and UV rays, preserving your main door. With its sturdy construction, it deters intruders. Additionally, a storm door improves the exterior appeal, adding elegance and value to your property.
One of the primary advantages of a storm door is its ability to minimize energy loss. When installed in front of your main entry door, it creates an additional barrier against drafts, air leaks, and temperature extremes.
Tune Up Your HVAC
Regular maintenance and tune-ups for your HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) system are crucial for optimizing its performance and improving energy efficiency in your home.
By scheduling a yearly tune-up, you can ensure that your HVAC system operates at its best, saving energy and reducing the need for repairs.
During a professional HVAC tune-up, a qualified technician will thoroughly inspect and clean all components of your system. This includes checking the thermostat settings, lubricating moving parts, tightening electrical connections, and inspecting the condensate drain.
The technician will also clean or replace the air filters, ensuring proper airflow and reducing strain on the system.
By addressing minor issues and performing necessary adjustments during tune-ups, potential problems are identified early on, reducing the risk of major breakdowns and expensive repairs.
Conclusion
As a homeowner of an older property, I understand the challenges of adapting to energy-efficient practices. However, I have personally witnessed the positive impact these changes have made on both my wallet and the environment. From installing solar panels to upgrading insulation and replacing old windows, each improvement has brought me closer to achieving a more sustainable and cost-effective lifestyle.
Not only have these changes allowed me to save money on energy bills, but they have also increased the value of my home. With solar panels, I am not only generating my own power but also contributing to the overall grid and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
By embracing energy-efficient practices, such as washing clothes in cold water, using house fans, and planting trees for natural shade, I have witnessed a significant reduction in energy consumption without sacrificing comfort. It's satisfying to know that these small changes make a big difference in the overall energy efficiency of my home.
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