Upgrading To Energy-efficient Appliances At Home – In the past, the term “home energy efficiency” conjured up visions of expensive solar panels, giant wind turbines, or unusual lifestyle changes. But as the strategy hit the mainstream, the public came to better understand what energy efficiency is and how it benefits everyone. In addition to reducing pollution and conserving natural resources, increasing home energy efficiency is a worthwhile investment that saves consumers money. If you’re just starting to think about how to make your home more energy efficient, know that there are several time- and cost-effective home projects that can immediately reduce consumption as well as the cost of your energy and utility bills.
You don’t have to be a contractor to buy and install green building materials. In fact, there are hundreds of home improvement ideas that will make your house more energy efficient. Most energy-saving projects can be completed in a few spare hours, including improving these three areas with five easy tasks
Upgrading To Energy-efficient Appliances At Home
Replacing shower heads and faucets is a simple task that can make a big difference in your water usage. Low-flow faucets are designed to produce a powerful flow of water while using less water than standard faucets. Low-flow devices cost $15 to $30 and can be installed without the help of a professional.
A Guide To Buying An Energy Efficient Home
Electric lighting represents a significant part of a household’s electricity bill. Update your light fixtures and bulbs with incandescent halogen, CFL or LED bulbs. According to the US Department of Energy, switching to these more efficient light bulbs can save you $75 a year. Take your time choosing which bulbs to buy because newer bulbs and fixtures give you a wide variety of colors and intensities.
Refrigerators, washing machines and dishwashers use a lot of energy and water, especially if they are more than ten years old. Federal law has forced many manufacturers to produce more efficient home appliances, which means updating your appliances could make a big difference. If replacing all your major appliances at the same time is too expensive, consider replacing your refrigerator first, as older refrigerators are big energy hogs.
Many homes were built before energy efficiency was a focus, meaning green building materials were not used during construction. Update the look and efficiency of your home by installing artificial stone slabs. Adding faux stone can increase your siding’s R-value, which is a measure of insulation. These easy-to-install panels are an attractive upgrade to your home’s exterior that could even increase your home’s value. Posted by Lindsey Gudger on Wednesday, September 12, 2018 at 3:21 pm By Lindsey Gudger / September 12, 2018 Comment
Whether you’re a homeowner planning a major remodel or a seller getting ready to put your home on the market, an important factor to consider is the products and materials you’ll be using. This time, why not try to become more environmentally conscious when remodeling your home?
The Benefits Of Energy Efficiency In Homes And Businesses
You can incorporate eco-friendly and energy-efficient products into your home renovation ideas, especially those green solutions that are readily available and affordable. One of the benefits is that there are certain tax credits for homeowners who have installed alternative energy upgrades, the Residential Energy Efficient Property Credit states.
According to REALTORS® and the National Association of REALTORS® Research Group’s (NAR) 2018 Sustainability Report, 71% of respondents said promoting energy efficiency in ads was very or somewhat valuable. Many MLSs have green data fields that real estate agents commonly use to promote green features, energy information, and green certifications. Likewise, 56% of these REALTORS® believe that clients are at least somewhat interested in sustainability.
Yes, there is more that you can do as a homeowner besides using LED bulbs for your lighting fixtures. Here are some of those green home improvement projects that are relatively inexpensive and easy to add or install:
Adding a fresh coat of paint to any room is a surefire way to transform it and make it look like new. It’s also one of the smaller repairs home sellers can make before listing their home for sale. However, many paints contain high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can cause several respiratory problems and contribute to ozone pollution.
Should You Upgrade The Appliances In Your Long Beach Rental?
So the next time you want to apply a fresh coat of paint to renovate a room, opt for low-VOC or no-VOC paints. These are water-based paints that are generally more environmentally friendly than high-VOC oil-based paints. You end up with a room that not only looks fresh, but also has better air quality.
Whether you’re planning a kitchen or bathroom remodel, it’s a good idea to replace common fixtures and appliances with their water-saving counterparts. Installing low-flow fixtures and appliances like faucets, showers, dishwashers, and even high-efficiency toilets can help reduce water usage. It’s a great way to save water without compromising your daily use and comfort. Ultimately, it can offer big savings in your wallet by lowering your water bill – a benefit that both you and the future homeowner can enjoy.
Toilets, for example, account for almost 30 percent of average indoor consumption. Replacing your older, inefficient toilet with a low-flow model can reduce your water bills by about $110 a year, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Think about it: you can save your wallet and the planet at the same time.
Another great option to add to your next bathroom remodel is a tankless water heater, which is a great way to save water, money, and energy. Tankless water heaters use gas or electricity and are generally more cost effective. They heat the water you need to use in just a few seconds, and there’s no need to wait for the water to heat up while wasting more water. It’s another eco-friendly bathroom improvement that can add value to your home.
Unbelievable Benefits Of Using Energy Efficient Appliances
Compared to manual thermostats, this smart home technology is a great investment to help make your home more environmentally friendly. Smart thermostats, like the Nest Learning Thermostat, can help you save energy and lower your utility bills by controlling your heating and cooling needs.
The technology will also allow you to program your temperature preferences in the areas where you need it most. You can set these thermostats (via their mobile apps) to turn on when you wake up and turn off when you leave the house, contributing to greater savings.
Energy-efficient double-glazed windows made of vinyl, metal or wood offer better insulation for your home compared to older single-pane models. They can reduce your energy use during both hot and cold climates, helping you save money while reducing your environmental footprint.
Double-glazed windows also have excellent sound insulation qualities. They can significantly reduce outside noise, which can be a worthwhile investment if you live in a city or busy urban area and don’t want to wake up to car horns or sprinklers early in the morning.
Effective Ways To Make Your Home More Energy Efficient
Replacing your outdated appliances with new and highly efficient models, especially those that are ENERGY STAR certified, will not only allow you to reap the benefits of energy savings, but will also help you sell your home for top dollar. ENERGY STAR is an initiative of the US Department of Energy that identifies energy-efficient appliances and products. Its ceiling fans, for example, are 50% more efficient than conventional fans because they use less energy to operate.
Since the kitchen is the focal point of any home, buyers will want it to look its best. If you’re planning a major kitchen renovation, upgrading your washer, dryer, dishwasher, and refrigerator will allow your kitchen to stand out in terms of energy efficiency, design, and functionality.
How long do home systems and appliances last? A Homeowner’s Guide to the Average Lifespan of Major Appliances
Every homeowner is faced with a great truth: the systems and devices in their home do not last forever. Every major device has an average life …Read more
It’s Not “just” A Refrigerator (how Appliances Boost Roi)!
Most New Year’s resolutions are about self-improvement – learning a new skill or hobby, eating healthier, or going to the gym. If you … Read more
Owning and buying your first home is the perfect reason to host a Thanksgiving dinner. And since it’s next week, chances are you’ve already made … Read more
Posts by Category All Categories Buying a Home (174) Home Owners (53) Newsletter (18) Real Estate News (51) Selling a Home (76)
March 2024 (3) February 2024 (2) January 2024 (2) December 2023 (3) November 2023 (2) October 2023 (3) September 2023 (3) August 2023 (3) July, 2023 (2) June 2023 (2) ) May 2023 (2) April 2023 (2) March 2023 (2) February 2023 (4) January 2023 (3) December 2022 (3) November 2022 (3) 3) October 2022 (2) September 2022 (3) August 2022 (2) July 2022 (3) June 2022 (2) May 2022 (3) April 2022 (3) February 2022 (5) January 2022 (4) December 2021 (4) November 2021 (5) October 2021 ( 5) September, 2021 (4) August, 2021 (4) July, 2021 (3) June, 2021 (5) May, 2021 (3) April, 2021 (4) March, 2021 (5) February, 2021 (5) January, 2021 (3) December, 2020 (5) November,
Energy Efficient Upgrades You Can Make For Your Home
Purchase energy efficient appliances, energy efficient appliances rebate, energy efficient appliances benefits, switch to energy efficient appliances, energy efficient home appliances, least energy efficient appliances, best energy efficient appliances, most energy efficient home appliances, energy efficient electrical appliances, using energy efficient appliances, energy efficient cooking appliances, energy efficient appliances canada