Ten ways to improve your homes efficiency
Add Insulation
Almost all modern homes have too little insulation and the comfort of your home is more dependent on insulation than anything else. Attic insulation is the most important in the South because of the 130-150 degree temperatures reached in the attic during the summer. Click here to read more about attic, wall and crawlspace/basements insulation.
Seal your Duct System
On the average 30% of a homes energy is wasted through duct leakage. Poor installation, animals and vibration cause leaks. It's very common to find ducts loose, broken or torn and conditioned air going into an attic or crawl space. If you're house is excessively dusty you may have a return line that is leaking and pulling in make up air from the crawl space or attic. Read more.
Sealing for Air Leakage
Air leakage waste energy by allowing expensive heated or cooled air to leak out of your home. It also causes uncomfortable drafts and can carry pollutants into your home. The most significant leaks are in hidden areas like attic and crawlspaces. Typically 30% of a houses energy expense is to condition air that leaks out of that house. The blower door test that we do tells us how much the house leaks and helps us find out where the leaks are. Read more.
Heating and Cooling Systems
Heating and cooling systems usually account for the majority of your utility expenses. There have been considerable efficiency improvements in both heat pumps and furnaces in the last ten years. It's common to find 8 and 10 SEER unit still running strong but a 13 SEER is the minimum today and a 16 SEER can be installed for a little more cost. Replacing an 8 SEER with a 16 SEER will reduce the energy cost to run the heat pump by half. Read more about Heat Pumps, and Furnaces.
Upgrade your Windows and Doors
Weather stripping, caulk and spray foam can go a long way to improving the efficiency of doors and windows. Repairing your weather stripping around your doors and windows is all that most homes need but if you have single pain wood or aluminum windows you may need to consider replacing your windows. Read more.
Upgrade your Lighting
Compact Fluorescent Lamps have become the norm. They are lower in cost now and easy to install. So if you haven't converted you're incandescent bulbs to CFL's you should do so soon. LED lights are an even better energy saving lighting device and are available now but their cost are high. In a few years and we'll be replacing CFL's with LED's and incandescent bulbs will be very hard to find. Read more.
Upgrade your appliances
If your appliances are older than ten years then they are probably due for replacement. There have been significant efficiency improvements in appliances so buying Energy Star replacements and a front loading washing machine to save you energy and water. Read more.
Improve Water Heating Efficiency
Lower you water heater thermostat to 120 degrees. Install a water heater blanket. Insulate your hot water pipes. Install low flow shower heads. Consider replacing your existing water heater with a heat pump water heater. The big box hardware stores have models around $1,400 and they qualify for the federal tax rebate. They are about three times more efficient at making hot water so they will pay for themselves in 5 to 7 years. Read more.
Adjust your Habits
Appliances are often left on when not needed. Install and learn how to use a digital thermostat. Computers, TV and entertainment centers draw "phantom loads" when there not in use.
Landscaping, Shading and Metal Roofing
Blocking solar heat can make a significant improvements to air conditioning cost. Trees that loose their leaves in the winter, solar shades, window films and awnings can block a lot of solar heat that you air conditioning would have to remove from your house. Replacing you shingle roof with a cool metal roof will make a significant decrease in your attic temperature. Read more.