Top 10 Ways to Make Your Home Energy Efficient

Oct 03, 2024

Top 10 Ways to Make Your Home Energy Efficient: Reduce Energy 35%

Energy efficiency is more than just a buzzword—it’s a strategy for saving money, increasing home comfort, and reducing your environmental footprint. Whether you're trying to cut down on monthly utility bills, lower your carbon emissions, or increase the resale value of your home, there are numerous ways to make your house more energy-efficient. Many of these methods are simple and affordable, while others may require a larger upfront investment but offer long-term benefits. Below, we discuss the top 10 ways to make your home more energy-efficient, including upgrading insulation, air sealing, crawlspace encapsulation, and more.

1. Air Sealing the Attic
The attic is one of the most significant contributors to energy loss in your home. Because hot air rises, attics are notorious for being drafty, leaky, and poorly insulated. Air sealing is one of the most cost-effective ways to prevent energy loss and improve your home’s energy efficiency.

Why It's Important:

Air leaks in your attic allow conditioned air to escape and unconditioned air to enter, forcing your HVAC system to work overtime to maintain a comfortable temperature.
Gaps around pipes, ducts, wiring, and attic access points can let in cold air during the winter and hot air during the summer, increasing energy consumption.

How to Air Seal:

Use expanding spray foam, caulk, or weatherstripping to close off gaps and cracks around attic penetrations.
Install attic hatches or stair covers to seal the access points, and be sure to check for any air leaks around chimneys or roof vents.
By properly sealing the attic, you can significantly reduce energy waste, increase home comfort, and lower your utility bills.

2. Upgrade Your Insulation
Insulation acts as your home’s thermal barrier, helping to keep heat inside during the winter and outside during the summer. One of the most effective ways to increase your home’s energy efficiency is to upgrade the insulation in your attic, walls, and floors.

Types of Insulation:

Cellulose Insulation: This eco-friendly insulation made from recycled paper is treated to resist mold, pests, and fire. Cellulose outperforms fiberglass in terms of energy efficiency, filling gaps and voids to create a more airtight barrier.
Spray Foam Insulation: Spray foam is the most effective insulation for both air sealing and thermal resistance. It expands to fill all gaps and cracks, offering superior insulation performance.
Fiberglass Insulation: While fiberglass is the most affordable option, it is considered "builder grade" and is often less effective in providing the necessary insulation for energy-efficient homes.
Insulation R-Value: R-Value measures the insulation’s ability to resist heat transfer. For attics, most building codes require insulation with an R-Value of at least R-49, depending on your climate. Adding more insulation or upgrading to a higher-performance material like spray foam can save energy and keep your home comfortable year-round.

3. Crawlspace Encapsulation
Crawlspaces can be a hidden source of energy loss, moisture issues, and poor air quality. Encapsulating your crawlspace is a critical step toward making your home more energy-efficient. Crawlspace encapsulation involves sealing the space from outside air, moisture, and pests by installing a vapor barrier and insulation.

Why It’s Important:

Crawlspaces are typically unconditioned, meaning that air and moisture can enter and cause problems like mold, wood rot, and energy loss.
A properly encapsulated crawlspace can prevent drafts, reduce energy costs, and improve indoor air quality.

Encapsulation Process:

Install a thick vapor barrier on the floor and walls of the crawlspace to block moisture from entering.
Insulate the crawlspace walls and seal all vents, pipes, and ductwork.
Add a dehumidifier to control moisture levels.
By preventing air and moisture from entering the crawlspace, encapsulation helps regulate your home’s temperature, reducing energy consumption and prolonging the life of your HVAC system.

4. Upgrade to Energy-Efficient Doors and Windows
Doors and windows are common sources of energy loss. Older or poorly sealed windows and doors allow drafts to enter your home, which can lead to higher heating and cooling costs. Upgrading to energy-efficient models can make a noticeable difference in your home’s comfort and energy consumption.

Why It’s Important:

Energy-efficient windows and doors have better insulation properties, which help keep conditioned air inside and outdoor air outside.
Modern windows come with double or triple glazing, low-emissivity (Low-E) coatings, and argon gas fills that help reduce heat transfer and UV radiation.
What to Look For:

Look for doors and windows with the ENERGY STAR® label, which certifies that they meet energy efficiency standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
For windows, consider models with double or triple panes, Low-E coatings, and insulated frames.
While upgrading windows and doors can be a significant investment, the long-term savings on energy bills and the increase in home comfort make it worthwhile.

5. Use a Programmable Thermostat
Heating and cooling account for nearly half of the energy use in a typical home, so managing your HVAC system efficiently is crucial for reducing energy consumption. One of the easiest ways to do this is by installing a programmable or smart thermostat.

Why It’s Important:

Programmable thermostats allow you to set specific temperatures for different times of the day. For example, you can lower the temperature when you’re away from home or asleep, reducing energy waste.
Smart thermostats, like Nest or Ecobee, learn your habits and adjust the temperature automatically to maximize energy efficiency.
Energy Savings:

According to the EPA, using a programmable thermostat can save homeowners up to 10% on heating and cooling costs annually.
A programmable thermostat offers a quick and easy way to optimize your HVAC system's efficiency without sacrificing comfort.

6. Seal Ductwork
Your home’s ductwork is responsible for delivering conditioned air throughout your home. However, if the ducts are leaky or poorly insulated, they can waste a lot of energy. In fact, the Department of Energy estimates that up to 30% of energy used for heating and cooling is lost through duct leaks.

Why It’s Important:

Sealing and insulating your ductwork can improve the efficiency of your heating and cooling system, ensuring that more of the conditioned air reaches its destination.
Leaky ducts can also introduce dust, allergens, and other contaminants into your home, affecting indoor air quality.

How to Seal Ductwork:

Inspect your ducts for visible leaks, especially around joints and seams.
Use metal-backed tape (not duct tape) or mastic sealant to close off any gaps and leaks.
Consider insulating ducts that run through unconditioned spaces, like attics, basements, or crawlspaces.
Sealing your ductwork can help you get the most out of your HVAC system and reduce wasted energy.

7. Install Solar Panels
Harnessing the power of the sun is one of the most sustainable ways to reduce your energy consumption. Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity, which can power your home and even feed excess energy back into the grid for credits.

Why It’s Important:

Solar panels reduce your reliance on traditional energy sources, lowering your utility bills and your carbon footprint.

Many states offer tax credits and incentives for installing solar panels, making them more affordable for homeowners.
Considerations:

The cost of solar panels has dropped significantly in recent years, but installation is still a sizable investment.
Solar panels are most effective in homes with high energy use, lots of direct sunlight, and enough roof space for installation.
For homeowners looking to make a long-term investment in energy efficiency, solar panels can drastically reduce your energy consumption and pay for themselves over time.

8. Switch to LED Lighting
Lighting may not be the largest energy consumer in your home, but switching to LED (light-emitting diode) bulbs is an easy and inexpensive way to increase energy efficiency. LED bulbs use up to 90% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and last up to 25 times longer.

Why It’s Important:

LED bulbs are more energy-efficient and have a longer lifespan than incandescent and CFL (compact fluorescent) bulbs.
LEDs are available in a variety of color temperatures, allowing you to create the perfect ambiance in your home.
Energy Savings:

Replacing incandescent bulbs with ENERGY STAR®-certified LEDs can save the average homeowner about $225 per year on electricity.
In addition to energy savings, LED bulbs produce less heat, which can reduce your cooling costs during the summer months.

9. Install Low-Flow Fixtures
Water heating accounts for a significant portion of your home’s energy use, so reducing water consumption can help cut energy costs. One of the easiest ways to save water and energy is by installing low-flow fixtures, such as showerheads and faucets.

Why It’s Important:

Low-flow fixtures reduce the amount of water used without sacrificing performance. This means you’ll save both water and the energy used to heat it.
Many modern low-flow showerheads and faucets are designed to provide strong water pressure while using less water.
Energy Savings:

The EPA estimates that low-flow fixtures can reduce water use by up to 60%, which can lead to significant savings on water heating costs.
By reducing the amount of water you use, you’ll not only lower your energy bills but also conserve a valuable natural resource.

10. Upgrade to Energy-Efficient Appliances
If your home still contains outdated appliances, they could be consuming more energy than necessary. Upgrading to energy-efficient appliances can have a major impact on your home’s overall energy consumption.

Why It’s Important:

ENERGY STAR® appliances are designed to use less energy and water while providing the same or better performance as traditional models.
Appliances like refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines, and dryers are some of the biggest energy consumers in a home.
Considerations:

While energy-efficient appliances may cost more upfront, the long-term savings on energy bills can make them a worthwhile investment.
Look for the ENERGY STAR® label when shopping for new appliances, which certifies that the product meets strict energy efficiency guidelines.

Conclusion
Making your home more energy-efficient doesn’t have to be overwhelming or expensive. By taking small steps like upgrading insulation, air sealing the attic, installing low-flow fixtures, or switching to LED lighting, you can significantly reduce your energy consumption and lower your utility bills. Larger investments, such as crawlspace encapsulation or installing solar panels, can offer even greater savings over time.

Whether you’re looking for immediate savings or long-term energy efficiency improvements, the key is to start with what makes the most sense for your home and budget. Every step you take brings you closer to a more comfortable, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly home.