During the summer months, energy efficiency may not seem like something that you would have to worry about. But colder weather will return, and your home’s energy use levels will slowly increase.
Before colder weather returns, you may want to look for ways that can help you conserve energy in your home beginning today.
Discover six ways you can improve energy efficiency in your home this summer and beyond.
1. Replace Your Old Furnace
I know you may think your furnace is collecting cobwebs. But, shortly, you will be using it to help heat your home in only a few short months. You’ll want some security knowing that your furnace will be operating fully during the fall and winter. What better time than now to replace that old furnace with a newer one to help improve energy efficiency in your home?
2. Plant Trees or Bushes Outside Your Home
By planting trees or bushes during the summer, you can keep your home cool by blocking infrared rays from the sun. During the winter, the bare branches will allow the sun’s light and solar energy to enter through windows and warm up your home.
3. Focus On New Insulation
New insulation can go a long way during both the summer and winter months. During the hot summer months, insulation can keep cool air from air conditioning inside your home where it belongs. During the winter months, the insulation can also keep cold air out as well. New insulation lets the heat in your home do its job more easily and effectively. You can hire the services of an insulation company seattle to ensure that your home is properly insulated and protected from air leakage.
4. Install New Windows
Older windows can also cause energy-efficiency issues. In the summer, older windows can be the culprit for having cool air escape from your home. During the winter, however, warm air can also make its escape from older windows as well. By replacing your older windows, you will be able to help effectively improve your home’s energy efficiency throughout the year.
5. Use Energy-Efficient Bulbs for Lighting
Replacing old lightbulbs should a no-brainer for you. Old-fashioned lightbulbs can definitely cost more to run. By using energy-efficient lightbulbs, you can reduce the expense of using lightbulbs in your home by one-third of your current costs.
6. Change Your Air Filter
During the summer, you most likely will use air conditioning to cool your home. In your unit, you’ll find an air filter that helps remove particles from the air before the HVAC system transfers air throughout your house. However, if your air filter is dirty, then it can cost you more money by making your air conditioner run more often and longer. To prevent unnecessary expenses, you should clean those air filters now. Keeping your air filters clean is one of several simple ways to help improve the efficiency of your air conditioning unit.
Now that you have these six energy-efficiency tips to help improve your home for the summer and beyond, go forth and make some changes in your home.
What ways have you improved energy efficiency in your house?