The fall is a perfect time to start making your home more energy efficient. With the changing seasons, you’ll want to be prepared for the incoming inclement weather that the winter brings.
With snow, hail, ice, and other winter-related disasters on the horizon, improving your home’s energy efficiency can put you and your family ahead of the curve to stay safe. Utilizing space heaters properly, programming your thermostat, and more are just a few examples. Here’s a look at how to make your home more energy efficient ahead of winter.
Insulate Your Home
Insulation is one of the most important things you can do to make your home more energy efficient. It can be added to the outside of your home, inside your walls, floors, and ceilings. Insulation works by trapping heat in a small space between its layers of material so that it doesn’t escape through gaps in the construction of your house.
Insulation, in turn, has a number of benefits. Not only does it regulate the temperature in your home by sealing air leaks, but it also can lead to reduced energy bills and noise — on top of it making your home more energy efficient.
Perform HVAC Maintenance
One of the most important things you can do to make your home energy efficient and to keep your HVAC system running smoothly is maintenance. You don’t need to perform this task every week, but it’s a good idea to check on it throughout the year — especially before the winter — so you can diagnose any potential problems and get ahead of the curve before the snow comes.
Things to do before winter starts…
- Check your filter. Make sure it is clean and replace as needed.
- Clean the coils that are attached to your system (if there are any). Dry out any moisture that has collected over time and prevent corrosion on those parts — which could lead to bigger issues down the road.
- Unclog any air vents and ensure nothing is blocking their flow.
- Check refrigerant levels inside HVAC units by using an electronic leak detector tool
Eliminate Incandescent Bulbs
Incandescent bulbs are a thing of the past, so get rid of them! They’re an inefficient use of energy and can cost you more money in the long run. Not only that, but they also have shorter lifespans than other bulbs. You’ll want to replace them with CFLs or LEDs if you haven’t already done so.
Green America notes that incandescent bulbs generate up to 90% of heat rather than light, thus rendering them highly inefficient. Moreover, incandescent bulbs only provide 1,500 hours of light, as opposed to CFLs (which last for 10,000 to 15,000 hours) and LEDs (which last for 25,000 to 35,000 hours). Making the switch can also save you money — as you won’t have to be replacing bulbs or utilizing them as often.
Install Energy Efficient Solar Panels
When it comes to making your home more energy efficient, solar panels are a great option. You can have the panels installed on your roof, or even the ground if you have the space! They’re more efficient than ever before, which means that they can produce more power than ever before. In fact, according to Greenlancer, those who make this switch to solar can ultimately save up to $3,000.
If you want to go green and start producing your own electricity without having to spend unnecessary money on monthly electricity bills, then installing solar panels is probably the best option for you. The only downside is that they are expensive upfront — but if you think about how much money you’ll save in the long run by not having to pay any monthly bills anymore, then it becomes an easy decision.
Making Your Home More Energy Efficient with XTRAIRE
At XTRAIRE, we work to serve all our Long Island residents with the best HVAC service. Whether it’s service and repair or improving your indoor air quality, we’re here to ensure your home is as energy efficient as possible. To learn more about how XTRAIRE can serve your home or business, take a look at our website and get in touch with us today!