Over the past few years, energy efficiency has become a hot topic among homeowners. Is your home energy efficient enough? What can you do to make it better? And, of course, why should you be concerned about energy efficiency?
Making your home more energy efficient has a lot of benefits that are not only great for you, but for the whole world around you. Here are just a few of the best reasons why you should take steps to make your home more energy efficient:
You’ll Help the Environment
By cutting down on the amount of energy your home consumes, you’re helping to reduce the amount of carbon generated by power plants and cut down on the amount of non-renewable sources of your home uses. When you keep these sorts of things to a minimum, you’re keeping pollution out of the air and making the world a healthier place to live.
You’ll Save Money
Who wouldn’t like to have a little extra money in their bank accounts? By reducing the amount of energy you consume in your home, you’ll be able to do just that! The average U.S. household often spends thousands of dollars on energy bills every year. The amount of money you can save depends on which specific steps you take, but any changes you make can really add up. For example, an Energy Star refrigerator can cost $165 less to run per year than a regular refrigerator. Using energy efficient CFL or LED lights can help you save between $50 and $100 on your energy bill every year.
You’ll Be More Comfortable
Old, worn out windows and drafty exterior doors are only good for two things: making your home more uncomfortable than it ought to be and driving up your energy bills. Nobody should feel uncomfortable in their own home. Having new vinyl replacement windows installed or getting a new front door requires a little bit of an upfront investment, but they will make your home so much more comfortable and the money they can help you save on energy bills will really add up over time. By making these sorts of changes, you’ll be better able to stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer without having to rely so much on your furnace or air conditioner.
You’ll Improve Your Home’s Value
If you’re thinking of putting your home on the market soon, it’s important to know what sorts of things homebuyers are looking for in a new home. Energy efficient features are definitely very desirable right now thanks to the fact that many people are looking for ways to lead more environmentally friendly lifestyles and that people like the idea of being able to save money on their energy bills. If a potential buyer takes a look at your home and sees things like Energy Star appliances, vinyl replacement windows, and lots of insulation, they’ll be more inclined to pay a bit more for your home.
