As homeowners, we are often bombarded with media messages about reducing the environmental impact of our property and improving the energy efficiency of our homes. While the cost of making energy efficiency improvements may seem prohibitive, there are three great reasons you may wish to consider making the investment.
Reduction in Environmental Impact:
The first and many consider the most important, reason to make your home more energy efficient is that it will reduce its environmental impact. Decreasing your energy usage will reduce the amount of resources needed to keep your home comfortable. Gas, water, and electricity take a lot of resources to create the final product which is delivered to your home. When your home is more efficient, you will require fewer resources, creating a smaller environmental impact. While it may not be practical to go self sufficient with geothermal technology and solar panels, it is still possible to significantly reduce your energy demands.
Reduction in Your Bills:
A far more pragmatic approach is to consider the direct impact of energy efficiency, and this will take the form of a reduction in your bills. For most homeowners, reducing costs are a real priority and by saving energy, you will be saving money. There are a number of factors, such as your home’s location, size, and efficiency, which will determine the savings you can enjoy. From minor upgrades such as improving the insulation and sealing in your home to replacing your ducts or upgrading to a new HVAC system, you could see a significant reduction in your energy usage.
Increased Comfort:
Making your house more energy efficient is not only about saving money as it can also increase your comfort level. For example, if you have an old air conditioner that doesn’t cool your home very well, it is likely to be constantly running just to keep you feeling comfortable. You may find that some rooms feel cool while others are still too hot to enjoy. Upgrading to a new unit will not only reduce your energy costs, but your home will be cooled far more effectively. In the same way, if your house is not well insulated, some rooms will have drafts or feel cooler in winter. When you properly seal and insulate your house, it will feel cooler in summer and warmer in winter without needing to use more energy. You may find that there are rooms or areas inside your house that you can enjoy all year round, rather than avoiding them as they are too cold or hot in certain months of the year.
Reducing your energy usage and making your house more energy efficient offers lots of benefits including the environmental, financial and comfort reasons listed above. Before undergoing any energy efficiency upgrades, it is important to assess which improvements will offer the best results without breaking the bank. It is a good idea to undergo an energy audit to determine the most effective ways to reduce the energy use in your home. This will allow you to create an action plan so you can enjoy increased energy efficiency and all the benefits associated with a more efficient home.