Whether you've been in your house for years or you're getting ready to move in next weekend, nervy efficiency should always be a topic of conversation. Environmentally-responsible remodeling is the way to go—it helps the Earth so our future generations have a better chance of enjoying it, it can save you money and it's a major bonus to potential buyers if you ever plan on selling your house.
Lowering utility bills sounds very attractive, while major renovation is not so appealing. Taking time off work and spending major dollars spent should be a last resort. First, try out these small projects that can help lower your utility bill.
Windows. When's the last time you replaced them? When you moved in, did you have them inspected? Think of how many windows you have and just imagine how much airflow they're permitting if they're old, damaged or have become even slightly unsealed. Newer windows are usually double-paned and have a type of gas in between the panes to make them more heat resistant. Many newer windows also have UV films on the outside that block sunlight, and therefore help to keep your home cooler. Additionally, vinyl windows tend to be more energy efficient than wood versions because the window frames don’t expand and contract as much with changes in temperature and moisture, so they’re less prone to cracking and then leaking over time.
Radiant heating in the floors. Just like a car seat warmer! I'm from Boston, and while you may have less need for seat warmers down here in Atlanta, let me just promise you they are awesome. You can put radiant heating under tile or hardwood, so whether you're moving into a place that needs new floors or you've been planning it for a while, you've got some flexibility. By the heat coming through the floor, it spreads more efficiently than from a vent in the corner of a room.
The most cost-effective radiant heating system has heated water pumped from the boiler and into tubing laid underneath the floor, according to the U.S. Department of Energy's website. This energy pay-off comes with the flexibility of heating individual rooms, so you'll only heat and pay for rooms you currently use.
HVAC repair or replacement. Trust us on this, you want this to be updated. HVACs from the 1980s run at about 60-percent efficiency as opposed to those today that run at 95 or 95 percent.
Improve siding. The tighter your home is sealed, the more money stays in your pocket First, repair any problem areas with your siding. If you're opting for new siding altogether, vinyl or stucco siding allows you to put what's called a vapor lining underneath; this minimizes air flow to and from your home. I don't know about you, but that Atlanta spring/summer heat is right around the corner, and I do not want to be pumping my AC out into the swelter!
Speaking of keeping air in, update your insulation. Fiberglass batt insulation, for example, looks like a roll of a cotton-type material, and it can help prevent air leaks in unfinished spaces.
Another option is spray foam insulation—a contractor comes and drills a hole in your walls from either the inside or outside of the house and blows insulation inside it.
According to Energy.gov, the batt insulation is the inexpensive option, but if you can spring for it, the spray insulation is more highly recommended by contractors because it is denser and expands over a period of time.
