Energy Efficiency: How to Make an Energy-Efficient Home?
One of the first things that most buyers consider when buying a house is how energy-efficient it is. This is often an important factor when looking for a home due to rising utility costs and unpredictable weather. In addition, energy efficiency is also one of the most important priorities for homeowners looking to save on high energy bills and increase the value of their home. This is because energy efficiency not only pays off in the long run, but many states are also raising the stakes on how energy is produced.
One of the first things that most buyers consider when buying a house is how energy-efficient it is. This is often an important factor when looking for a home due to rising utility costs and unpredictable weather. In addition, energy efficiency is also one of the most important priorities for homeowners looking to save on high energy bills and increase the value of their home. This is because energy efficiency not only pays off in the long run, but many states are also raising the stakes on how energy is produced.
What is energy efficiency?
In simple words, energy efficiency is using less energy to perform a task. It is the inverse of energy waste. To become energy efficient, you must use less energy to finish an activity. The concept is that you must eliminate every source of energy waste.
The simple lightbulb is a common example of energy-efficient technology. Over 90% of the energy in your standard 60W incandescent bulb is wasted as heat. Modern, energy-saving LED light bulbs, on the other hand, utilize significantly less energy to produce the same light—with light accounting for 90% of the energy consumed. And light bulbs are not the only energy-efficient devices. Every modern device, from televisions to clothes dryers, is now energy-efficient. You can pocket your savings by replacing old, inefficient appliances with such devices.
What is an energy-efficient home?
An energy-efficient home wastes less energy throughout the day than a traditional home. This has absolutely nothing to do with the homeowner’s lifestyle. Instead, this is because of the concept of energy conservation. The efficiency criteria for commercial buildings and houses will differ.
Some houses like smart homes have already been built upon this idea. They are well-insulated, employ energy-efficient materials such as roofs and windows, and may even have windows positioned in strategic locations to improve energy within the home.
But, don’t worry if your home is not designed with this concept. You can still make your house an energy-efficient home by making certain upgrades. For example, you can replace all the incandescent bulbs with LEDs. This can reduce the huge amount of energy used by a home. Turning to an Energy Star-rated air conditioner or a smart thermostat installation can also help you save energy and money as well. Another best way to achieve energy efficiency is to switch to solar power and turn your house into a smart home.
How does solar installation help achieve energy efficiency?
One of the key elements for achieving energy efficiency in the US is solar energy. Due to all of its advantages, it has turned out to be a successful combo for Americans. Solar energy works to lessen the burden on the system by producing electricity locally during peak times, lowering the possibility of blackouts and enhancing grid reliability and efficiency overall.
In recent years, installing solar panels has become more convenient, affordable, and adaptable. Many modern solar systems are suitable for several houses and energy requirements. Installing solar panels has become a smart financial and environmental decision for the United States because of the plenty of sunlight and government incentives.
What are the advantages of an energy-efficient home?
This concept brings many benefits, not only for your home but also for the overall society.
Makes Your Home Environment Friendly Place
When you become more energy-efficient, it reduces the amount of power we use. This decreases the amount of CO2 and other harmful pollutants we emit into the air. As climate change continues to affect our earth, we must find solutions to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.
This leads you to Lower Electricity Bills.
Reducing your energy usage is not only good for the environment but also for your wallet too. Your power bill will be reduced if you decrease your energy consumption. And by this, you will have more money to spend on other things.
Helps you to lower pressure on the Utility Grid
Nowadays, the big states around the U.S. like Texas, California, and Maryland have been undergoing long blackouts due to increasing load on the electric grid. Also, our utility infrastructure is very old, and we are placing more pressure on it by using multiple heavy appliances. By adapting energy-efficient ways and reducing our power consumption, we can decrease grid load. As a result, we can save our state from long-duration power outages.
How can I make my home energy-efficient?
Making your existing home more efficient does not require any changes to your lifestyle. Here are some tips:
Switch inefficient appliances with more energy-efficient models: Large appliances like the dishwasher, dryer, and washing machine will use the least amount of energy if you buy them with an ENERGY STAR label. Appliances must meet a few requirements to be granted the prestigious designation. The grid can also be further relieved by running these appliances following periods of high demand.
Install a programmable thermostat: Programmable thermostats, which are known to save money, let homeowners set up a plan that corresponds with their family’s daily routine. Instead of always trying to maintain a certain temperature, thermostats can be set to heat and cool with the seasons as needed.
Add an extra layer of insulation: There are many different ways that homeowners can look into insulation, but the main idea is that it lowers the amount of energy required to heat or cool a home. Insulating a home is a quick way to make a big impact when it comes to energy efficiency, and it is the easiest solution.
Install new doors and windows: Windows and doors have a big impact on how energy-efficient your house is. A significant impact can be achieved by swapping out outdated systems with more energy-efficient models. Steel doors have gained popularity throughout time because of their excellent safety and ability to withstand warping in different weather conditions. Homeowners should look for windows with the ENERGY STAR or NFRC labels when looking for more energy-efficient models.
Go solar: Solar energy is highly effective due to its ability to generate power directly from the sun. Working with a SolarSME energy consultant, homeowners may figure out how many solar panels are needed to provide enough electricity for their house. Even better, compared to traditional solar panels, we provide the most efficient solar panels on the market, enabling homeowners to utilize fewer panels. Over time, utility savings may result from that fact alone. Moreover, to help you, the U.S. is offering efficiency programs to help homeowners in making energy-efficient investments.
Overall, energy efficiency is the way of the future. If you sum up the benefits with the costs, it is well worth it. Installing solar panels not only powers your home with clean renewable energy but also encourages your community by creating jobs and circulating more money in your economy. Furthermore, you can eliminate your electric bill by up to 90% by going solar.
SolarSME can help you to make your home energy-efficient by providing quality solar installation services. So, hurry up and become ENERGY-EFFICIENT with SolarSME by requesting a FREE Quote for your home. Our energy experts will assist you with everything you need to know for going solar.
