Six Simple DIY Projects to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient
Making your home more energy efficient doesn’t have to be expensive or difficult. There are a number of simple things you can do yourself to reduce your energy consumption.
In this blog post, we’ll share six easy DIY projects that will help make your home more energy efficient. Whether you’re looking to save money on your utility bills or simply to do your part for the environment, these simple tips will help you achieve your goal.
So let’s get started!
1) Insulate your walls and attic to keep heat in during winter and out during summer
Insulating your walls and attic can be an effective way to maintain an optimal temperature within your home. During the balmy summer months, keeping the heat out of your living space is essential for comfort and relaxation.
By insulating your attic and walls you can reduce up to seventy-five percent of unwanted summer heat because insulation works as a buffer against extreme temperatures.
Likewise, in winter insulation helps contain heat that would otherwise escape through the walls or window frames resulting in lower energy bills.
Even small improvements to insulation such as caulking windows and adding weather stripping to doors can result in savings on utility bills over time.
Ultimately, insulating walls and attics can pay off both in terms of comfort levels and money saved.
2) Caulk and weatherstrip doors and windows to prevent drafts
Cold drafts can create an uncomfortable, unwelcome atmosphere in any home or office. Thankfully, all you need to do to keep warm is caulk and weatherstrip your doors and windows.
This prevents hot air from escaping and cold air from sneaking in through gaps between the frame and siding. Caulking and weatherstripping are simple jobs that take only minutes yet make a world of difference, resulting in savings on your energy bill as well as improved comfort throughout the year.
This job will not only keep you warmer this winter but also help you stay cooler in the summer months. While an easy task to complete on your own, professional installers are also available if desired.
3) Install solar film on south-facing windows to reduce heat gain in summer
Solar film can be an efficient and cost-effective way to reduce heat gain in your home in the summer. When applied to south-facing windows, solar film works to reflect back a portion of the sun’s rays, thus keeping your home cooler when temperatures get higher.
Additionally, these films also often provide UV protection for your furniture and décor, increasing their lifespan. Solar films are easily installed by professionals, or as a DIY project for those inclined to take such matters into their own hands.
In either case, you’ll start saving quickly by reducing cooling costs associated with heat intrusion from the sun’s rays during the warmest days of the year.
4) Add storm doors or energy-efficient curtains to further improve insulation
Adding storm doors or energy-efficient curtains to your home is an excellent way to further improve insulation and reduce energy costs. Such a simple measure can save you a significant amount of money while ensuring your home is comfortable, regardless of the season.
Storm doors and energy-efficient curtains provide an extra layer of protection, making them ideal for homes in areas prone to inclement weather or houses with large windows that often let in too much heat or cold air. The best part is that these door and curtain types come in various styles, allowing you to customize the look and feel of your home without sacrificing insulation efficiency.
So why not give your home the added protection it deserves? Make the cost-saving switch today!
5) Use LED bulbs or CFLs instead of incandescent bulbs
The shift away from incandescent bulbs to more energy efficient options such as LED bulbs and CFLs is not only more cost effective, but it can also be better for the environment.
LEDs consume significantly less electricity and last up to 25 times longer, which means your monthly electricity bill could be dramatically reduced if you switch out all of your old bulbs with LEDs. CFLs use only one-third of the amount of electricity than incandescent bulbs and last about ten times longer, making them both a money and energy saver.
By making the switch, you can help reduce carbon dioxide emissions from thermal power plants when using fewer kilowatt-hours. It’s important to recognize that although LED and CFL lightbulbs may have a higher upfront cost, they will save you money in the long run as well as benefit the environment.
6) Turn off electronics when you’re not using them, and unplug chargers when they’re not in use
We, as a society, have become heavily reliant upon electronics in our everyday lives. But with this reliance comes a responsibility to use energy resources efficiently.
One way to help conserve energy is by turning off computers, TVs, and other electronic devices when they’re not in use and unplugging chargers once your device is fully charged. Depending on the type of charger you are using, they can still consume energy while they are plugged in – even if they are not charging anything.
Simple steps like these add up!
Reducing your usage of electricity can save you money on your bills and also reduce your carbon footprint. It doesn’t take much to make an impact – power down and change out your chargers for a cleaner alternative today!
Conclusion
Making simple changes to your home’s insulation and energy efficiency is a great way to save money on utility bills and reduce your environmental footprint.
Taking small steps, such as insulating your walls, caulking and weatherstripping doors and windows, installing solar film, adding storm doors or energy-efficient curtains, using LED bulbs or CFLs instead of incandescent bulbs, and unplugging electronics when they’re not in use can make a significant difference.
Making these adjustments now will help you stay comfortable all year long while also being accessible to even the smallest budgets. Don’t wait another day to start building up the insulation and efficiency of your home – take action now!
Did You Know?
EarlToms would like to make an offer on your house. We pay cash so you won’t have any appraisals, home inspections, agent commissions, or closing fees typically associated with selling your house to EarlToms. If you want to sell your house, in a hassle-free way, simply call us at (205) 715-8201 or fill out the form to get started.
