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Upgrade Your Heating System

Heating a home in the wintertime is the biggest source of energy use. If you were to make just one change, a new heating system should be the change that you make. The general rule of thumb is when your system is over twenty years old, it is time to start considering replacing it. Make sure that you use a contractor that has installed plenty of energy-efficient systems so that you know it was done correctly.

If you have a more modern heating system, see if there are any green tweaks that you can make. Saving energy means saving money and this will be a major selling point. Look at your filters and make sure that they are clean and new. Also, have a professional come and look at your ductwork to see if any of it needs to be sealed.

If you are using a central air conditioning system you also want to make sure that it is as efficient as possible. Having a professional come out and give your system a checkup is a good idea. There may be a small tweak or two that can be made to ensure that your home is comfortable and eco-friendly when the temperatures rise. If you do not have central air conditioning, you may want to consider getting a unit installed. This tends to be more energy efficient than multiple window units.

Look at Your Windows

If you still have old, single-pane windows, it is time to get new ones. Single-pane windows are an energy losing nightmare. You want at least a double-pane and a triple-pane if you can swing it. These will keep furnace heat in and the cold outside. The same is true in the summer, they will keep your air-conditioning in and the summer heat on the outside. These also tend to be easier to lock, so they add a little extra safety too.

When you are checking your windows, do not forget to take a look at your doors. If there are any gaps or if they are just not in good shape, it is time to replace them. New windows and doors will also add to your curb appeal, increasing how many looks your home gets when you put it on the market.

Energy Star Appliances

Many people today are selling their homes with the appliances. Appliances are an investment and you can attract many younger buyers if you have a stove, refrigerator, dishwasher, washer and dryer already in the home and are going to leave them there. However, these need to be Energy Star certified to ensure that they work as efficiently as possible.

Upgrade Your Plumbing

This does not mean that you have to have every pipe replaced. What you want to replace are faucets and shower heads. Using faucets and shower heads that conserve water will save gallons of water per day. Less water equals a less expensive water bill. The nice thing about these is that they do not negatively impact water pressure. Your faucets and shower heads will still have a strong stream, they just use less water. What is nice about this improvement is that you can most likely do it on your own over a weekend. It is simple to do and does not require a professional. Just do not forget to turn the water off before making the changes.

About the Author: Jim Klossner is a home improvement guru with a passion for real estate. When he’s not writing, you can find him consulting for plumbing and HVAC companies like Cahill. 

Beat the heat this summer © wenani – Fotolia.com

Fortunately there are some ways to beat the heat and make your home more energy efficient.

Watch Your Windows

Your home’s windows aren’t just there for providing natural light and a pretty view of your manicured backyard: they should also help keep the heating and cooling in and the elements out. By upgrading your home’s windows to more energy efficient models you’ll not only ensure that your heating and cooling is kept inside where it belongs but also that the heat from the outdoors stays out of your home.

Double pane windows are designed with just this concept in mind. Their composition is just as their name implies: two pane sections of glass are separated by a thin space filled with gas or air. You can also opt for slightly tinted double pane windows which provide even better efficiency or install solar blocking screens to help make your old windows a bit more efficient. For more information on energy savings and double pane windows check out Energy Star.

Energy Efficient HVAC Units

The biggest reason for the great summer utility rate hike is not due to children being out of school and leaving lights on all day. It has to do with running your home’s air conditioning unit at a comfortable level. If your central heating and air unit is over ten years old chances are that it isn’t running with the efficiency that a newer model could offer. Today’s units have been designed to provide the maximum comfort with minimal energy expenditures, thereby reducing your carbon footprint and utility bills without sacrificing your family’s comfort. Click here information on energy efficient air conditioning units.

Summer is a great season for spending time with family and friends, but doing so in an uncomfortably warm home takes all of the fun out of it. Fortunately by implementing some of the above changes to your home’s systems you can increase comfort without bankrupting yourself.

© ponsulak - Fotolia.com

One option that is both kinder to Mother Nature and your wallet is to improve the energy efficiency of your home. The following are some green home improvements that are cost-effective and energy efficient.

Beefing Up Insulation:

Especially for those living in an older home beefing up your property’s insulation can lead to big energy savings in the long run. The insulation options available to today’s homeowner offer not only superior efficiency as compared to the insulation used in building in the past but also the ability to insulate an existing dwelling without need for major demolition or reconstruction. If you feel that your handy-man skills might be up to the task this is a job that can be completed DIY in a weekend. See the National Assocation of REALTORS® article on DIY insulation at http://www.realtor.com/home-garden/do-it-yourself/heating-air-conditioning/insulating-existing-walls.aspx.

New Appliances:

By now chances are that you’ve heard of Energy Star appliances. These appliances provide a higher degree of energy efficiency than their outdated counterparts, and depending on the frequency with which you use the appliance can decrease your utility bills by hundreds of dollars per year. Replacing your refrigerator alone can have a large impact on energy efficiency and savings.

Change Your Bulbs:

Replacing your home’s incandescent bulbs with more energy efficient compact fluorescent bulbs might not net you huge savings, but it does increase your home’s efficiency. A compact fluorescent bulb uses about 1/3 the energy of traditional incandescent bulbs and lasts up to 10 times longer, meaning not only less bulb changes in hard to reach fixtures but also savings over the life of the bulb. Don’t be fooled by the price tag: these bulbs will easily pay for themselves over time.

Embrace the Double Pane: Installing double pane windows in your home can yield great energy savings while also keeping your home more comfortable. Not only will the outside elements be kept out and the inside heating/cooling be kept in, you can also enjoy more quiet in high traffic areas by installing these more efficient windows.

Underfloor Heating:

This improvement is admittedly on the more costly side of going green but the potential savings are worth the initial investment. Underfloor heating has been popular in Europe and the U.K. for decades. The concept might sound highly scientific when in fact it’s not all that complicated: underfloor heating radiates heat from the floor upward, keeping with the scientific fact that heat rises. These floors offer a much more even and efficient heat source than traditional heating options, not to mention no more cold hardwoods in the morning. Due to the invasive nature of this project you might consider installing underfloor heating at the same time as a new flooring project.

Upgrading your home’s energy efficiency will not only save you money in the long run but also decrease your carbon footprint. Most of these improvements also go along way in improving the comfort level inside your home, so you have nothing more than the initial investment to lose. For more information on the many ways to make your home a greener one visit http://www.realtor.com/home-garden/Green-Your-Home/Simple-Household-Products-to-Green-Your-Home.aspx.