You might have already tried to cut down on your energy bills by turning off your appliances and switching to energy saving light bulb. This is a good start, but now it’s time to think bigger. Sometimes you have to spend money to make money, or so the saying goes. However, in the case of home improvements, you can also spend money to save money. A few upgrades to make your home energy efficient can significantly reduce your energy bills, and they will also increase the value of your home should you ever need to sell. Here are a few renovations that are worth investing in.
Insulation
Around 25 percent of the heat lost in an uninsulated house literally goes through the roof, so why not look into insulating your attic and roof. Effective insulation will slow the rate that heat escapes from your house in winter, and will also slow the rate that heat gets into your house during the summer. In short; it will keep your house at the optimum temperature. You may also find that you don’t need to turn up your thermostat as much to compensate for the escaped heat. Add new insulation along your walls, your ceiling, and your attic wall for maximum efficiency.
Double glazing
Heat also escapes through the cracks in old windows. If your windows are old, leaky, and obviously made of wood, then you might as well throw your money out the window, because that’s what you’re mostly heating. Double pane windows and other vinyl frames are much better than single pane windows and aluminum frames. Upgrading doesn’t have to cost much either, as there are plenty of installation companies willing to give you a good quote.
Upgrade your boiler
Older boilers are one of the worst offenders for wasting energy. This financial black hole probably wastes about 35 percent of the fuel it uses, it’s often unreliable, and it’s most likely reaching the end of its life. It might seem expensive initially, but you can get a new boiler quote from a professional installer, and spread the cost over a period that suits you. In the long run, you will save money on your heat and water bill, so the price won’t seem too steep if you think of it in those terms.
Energy efficient appliances
When you’re renovating your kitchen, you should consider invest in some energy efficient appliances. It might seem like an unnecessary expense, but technology has made dramatic strides since the 1970s. New appliances are more energy efficient than their predecessors, so you’re actually wasting more money by not buying new appliances. Refrigerators and freezers, for example, aren’t something you can afford to turn off, so it’s better for your finances if you buy something that cuts down on your electricity consumption. Energy efficient dishwashers also cost less to run than the lowest rated dishwashers of the same size, and they use less water which is good news for your water bills.