How to maximize your home’s energy efficiency | Features | mainstreet-nashville.com – Main Street Nashville
Most people know the primary ways to go green: turning off the lights, using eco-friendly products and recycling. There’s not nearly as much discussion on ways you can become more eco-friendly within your own home. In honor of Earth Day, I’m sharing improvements homebuyers and homeowners can make to save money and maximize their home’s energy efficiency while helping the planet.
Upgrade your HVAC system
If your HVAC system is more than 5 years old, updating this system is the easiest way to save money and energy. While this may seem like a significant cost upfront, as technology progresses and building codes change drastically, purchasing a new unit will pay for itself by ensuring everything in your home is updated and working correctly. The more effective a new HVAC system runs, the less time and money will be spent on repairs, improving your HVAC system’s lifespan. Staying up to date on your regularly scheduled maintenance work and changing your air filters will also lead to more significant cost savings.
Updating to a smart thermostat is another great way to trim down costs, as you can program the thermostat to shut off when you are not home. Implementing this and similar technology is a massive money-saver because it works for you when you want it to.
Invest in a tankless hot water heater
and upgraded faucets
Upgrading the faucets in your home to faucets with water pressure-reducing valves is inexpensive and will help conserve water and energy. According to an article in Attainable Homes, reducing your water pressure can increase your savings by 33%.
You may also consider investing in a tankless water heater. Tankless water heaters warm water instantaneously without using a storage tank. Most homebuilders have been adding tankless water heaters to their homes instead of storage-tank water heaters because of the money and eco-friendly benefits.
Switch to LED lighting
For most homeowners, electricity is a more considerable regular expense, which can be exacerbated by your HVAC system, how you operate your appliances and your lighting. Transitioning your home to LED is a great way to conserve power. When switching to LED, it’s important to note that LED lights are not meant to turn on and off, so switching your home to a dimmer light system can make your bulbs last longer and lead to greater energy efficiency. Switching to an LED system will also increase your return on investment when you decide to sell your home.
In conclusion, new technology has enabled us to create systems where our homes work for us even when we’re not there, allowing us to save money and power. Upgrading your home’s features is the best way to ensure long-term savings and become more sustainable because home technology is constantly changing. Having a green home is important for cost savings and your ROI while simultaneously saving our planet. It’s a win-win for everyone.
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