Many Bay Area homeowners are looking for ways to make their homes more efficient; not only because it will lower their energy bills, but also because it’s great for the environment. Today we’re going to show you how you can accomplish that by talking about seven different energy efficient home improvements that will significantly lower your energy bills in 2014!
7 energy efficient home improvements that will keep your energy bills low
- 1. Replace old and inefficient heating and cooling equipment. As furnaces and air conditioners reach their “twilight years,” they begin to suffer from severe efficiency problems. In addition, older heating and cooling systems are much less efficient than the high-efficiency models that are available today. If your furnace and air conditioner are 10-15+ years old, replacing them with new, Energy Star-labeled systems will significantly lower your home’s energy consumption.
- 2. Replace old and inefficient water heater. Just as is the case with furnaces and air conditioners, replacing an old and inefficient water heater is one of the most impactful energy efficient home improvements you can make. If your water heater is more than 10 years old, consider replacing it with a high-efficiency and Energy-Star labeled model. For certain high efficiency models, you might even qualify for a rebate from PG&E. Contact Cabrillo to learn more about which specific water heaters qualify for these rebates!
- 3. Install a programmable thermostat. Programmable thermostats offer an extremely convenient way to conserve energy while your family is away from home or sleeping. Simply enter the times of day that there is typically less of a demand for heating and cooling in your home, and the thermostat will automatically use energy-saving temperatures during those hours.
- 4. Seal home air leaks. Even if you have a high-efficiency heating and cooling system, your energy bills can still be quite high if your home has air leaks. The biggest problem areas tend to be around doors and windows, so you can start there by applying caulk to any cracks and openings in those areas and adding weatherstripping around moving parts.
- 5. Add insulation. If your home is not insulated to the proper R-Values, your furnace and air conditioner will be forced to work harder and consume more energy year-round. Adding insulation (along with sealing air leaks) will help ensure your heating and cooling systems operates at their maximum potential efficiency levels.
- 6. Seal ductwork. One of the biggest efficiency problems that Bay Area homes face is leaky ductwork. Cracks, holes and disconnections in a home’s ducts allow conditioned air to escape, which forces your heating and cooling systems to work overtime to keep your home comfortable. The best way to fix this problem is to have your ducts professionally inspected and sealed by Cabrillo!
- 7. Install ceiling fans. Ceiling fans allow you to use more energy-efficient temperature settings in your home without sacrificing comfort. They make rooms cooler during summer (allowing you to raise your thermostat a couple degrees) and warmer during winter when they operate in reverse (allowing you to lower your thermostat a couple degrees).
If you have any questions about these energy efficient home improvements, or if you’d like a plumbing or HVAC system serviced or installed in your home, contact Cabrillo, your Bay Area plumbing, heating and cooling contractor.