Author: Carolyn Barton

Making your home more energy efficient is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and save money on your energy bills. There are many simple tips you can follow to make your home more eco-friendly, and in this blog post we will discuss some of the best ones. We’ll also provide information on how you can get started with energy solutions for your home. So if you’re ready to make a change for the better, keep reading!

Get an Energy Efficiency Audit

If you’re serious about making your home more energy efficient, the best place to start is by getting an energy efficiency audit. An energy efficiency audit is a comprehensive assessment of how much energy your home currently uses, and how much could be saved through simple changes. It can also identify any areas where you could make improvements to your home’s insulation, heating and cooling systems, and windows and doors.

If you’re interested in getting an energy efficiency audit for your home, there are a few things you need to know. First, not all auditors are created equal – be sure to choose an auditor who is certified by the Building Performance Institute (BPI). Second, the cost of an audit can vary depending on the size and age of your home, as well as the auditor you choose. However, most audits cost between $300 and $500, and many utility companies offer rebates that can offset the cost.

Once you’ve had an energy efficiency audit, it’s time to start making changes around your home. One of the easiest ways to make your home more energy efficient is by ensuring that it’s properly insulated. This means sealing up any cracks or gaps in your walls, ceilings, floors, and windows. This will help to keep heat in during the winter and out during the summer – resulting in lower energy bills year-round.

Seal Air Leaks In Your Home

Sealing air leaks in your home is a simple way to make your home more energy efficient. Air leaks can occur anywhere around your home, and they can cause your heating and cooling systems to work harder than necessary. This can lead to higher energy bills and increased wear and tear on your appliances.

To seal air leaks in your home, you’ll need to find where they are located. One easy way to do this is by using a lit candle. Turn off all of the lights in your home, and then blow out the candle. Hold the lit candle near the edges of your windows and doors, and if the flame flickers, you have an air leak.

Once you’ve found the air leaks in your home, you can seal them with caulk, weather-stripping, or door and window sweeps. These materials are relatively inexpensive and easy to find at your local hardware store.

Another way to make your home more energy efficient is by ensuring that it’s properly insulated. This means sealing up any cracks or gaps in your walls, ceilings, floors, and windows.

Use Smart Home Technology

Many homeowners are now using smart home technology to make their homes more energy efficient. Smart home technology allows you to control your home’s energy use from your smartphone or computer. You can use it to monitor your energy usage, set heating and cooling schedules, and receive alerts when appliances are left on.

If you’re interested in using smart home technology to make your home more energy efficient, there are a few things you need to know. First, not all smart home technology is created equal – be sure to choose a system that is compatible with your appliances and heating and cooling systems. Second, the cost of a smart home system can vary depending on the size of your home and the features you choose. However, most systems cost between $200 and $500.

Utility companies are also offering programs that can help you make your home more energy efficient. These programs typically offer free or discounted energy efficiency audits, as well as rebates for making energy-saving improvements to your home. Many utility companies also offer discounts on smart home technology, so be sure to check with your provider to see what’s available.

Making your home more energy efficient doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive – even small changes can make a big difference.

Upgrade Your HVAC System

If you’re looking to make your home even more energy efficient, one of the best things you can do is upgrade your HVAC system. A new HVAC system can help you save money on your energy bills and reduce your carbon footprint.

If you’re interested in upgrading your HVAC system, there are a few things you need to know. First, not all HVAC systems are created equal – be sure to choose a system that is compatible with your appliances and heating and cooling systems. Second, the cost of a new HVAC system can vary depending on the size of your home and the features you choose. However, most systems cost between $2,000 and $5,000.

Utility companies are also offering programs that can help you make your home more energy efficient. These programs typically offer free or discounted energy efficiency audits, as well as rebates for making energy-saving improvements to your home. Many utility companies also offer discounts on HVAC systems, so be sure to check with your provider to see what’s available.

Making your home more energy efficient doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive – even small changes can make a big difference. So take some time to learn about the different ways you can save energy and start saving money today!

If you’ve been feeling a chill in your home, even when the temperatures are up, it might be due to air leaks. Air leaking into and out of your home can waste energy and make your home uncomfortable. In this blog post, we’ll show you how to find and fix air leaks in your home!

Common Sources of Air Leaks

Air leaks can come from a variety of sources in your home. Some of the most common sources of air leaks are:

• Windows and doors
• Attic hatches
• Ceiling fixtures
• Baseboards
• Electrical outlets
• Plumbing fixtures

To find air leaks in your home, start by doing a visual inspection of all the potential leak sources. Look for cracks or gaps around doors and windows. Also, look for any places where two different building materials meet, such as where the trim meets the wall or where the foundation meets the sill plate.

Once you’ve identified all the potential air leak sources in your home, you can begin sealing them up! Start with the easiest fixes, such as caulking around windows and doors. For larger gaps, you may need to use weatherstripping or expanding foam sealant. Once you’ve sealed up all the air leaks in your home, you should notice a difference in both your energy bills and your comfort level!

How To Identify Your Home’s Air Leaks

Once you have identified the common sources of air leaks in your home, it is important to find and fix the specific leaks. One way to do this is to use a smoke pencil. A smoke pencil is a tool that emits a stream of smoke, which you can use to identify air leaks.

To use a smoke pencil, first close all the windows and doors in your home. Then, light the smoke pencil and hold it up to the cracks and gaps in your home. If you see any smoke coming through the crack, that means there is an air leak!

Once you’ve identified all the air leaks in your home, you can start sealing them up. Start with the easiest fixes, such as caulking around windows and doors. For larger gaps, you may need to use weatherstripping or expanding foam sealant. Once you’ve sealed up all the air leaks in your home, you should notice a difference in both your energy bills and your comfort level!

Sealing Your Home’s Air Leaks

Once you have identified all the air leaks in your home, it is time to start sealing them up! Start with the easiest fixes, such as caulking around windows and doors. For larger gaps, you may need to use weatherstripping or expanding foam sealant. Once you’ve sealed up all the air leaks in your home, you should notice a difference in both your energy bills and your comfort level!

Caulking

Caulking is a sealant that you can use to fill small cracks and gaps around your home. To caulk an air leak, simply apply the caulking material to the crack or gap and smooth it out with your finger. Caulking is best for small cracks and gaps around windows, doors, trim, and baseboards.

Weatherstripping

Weatherstripping is a sealant that you can use to fill larger cracks and gaps around your home. Weatherstripping comes in a variety of materials, such as foam, felt, vinyl, and metal. To weatherstrip an air leak, simply apply the weatherstripping material to the crack or gap and secure it in place with tape or nails. Weatherstripping is best for larger cracks and gaps around doors and windows.

Expanding Foam Sealant

Expanding foam sealant is a sealant that you can use to fill larger cracks and gaps around your home. Expanding foam sealant comes in a can and expands to fill the crack or gap. To use expanding foam sealant, simply apply the material to the crack or gap and smooth it out with your finger. Expanding foam sealant is best for larger cracks and gaps around plumbing fixtures, electrical outlets, and ceiling fixtures.

Sealing Your Home’s Air Leaks

Once you have identified all the air leaks in your home, it is time to start sealing them up! Start with the easiest fixes, such as caulking around windows and doors. For larger gaps, you may need to use weatherstripping or expanding foam sealant. Once you’ve sealed up all the air leaks in your home, you should notice a difference in both your energy bills and your comfort level!

Use Reflective Insulation To Prevent Air Leaks

One of the best ways to prevent air leaks in your home is to use reflective insulation. Reflective insulation is a type of insulation that reflects heat back into your home. This means that it can help keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Reflective insulation also helps prevent air leaks, because it creates a barrier between the outside air and your home.

There are a variety of different types of reflective insulation, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs. Some types of reflective insulation are made of foam, while others are made of metal. Reflective insulation can be installed in walls, ceilings, and floors, making it a versatile option for any home.

If you’re looking to improve the energy efficiency of your home, reflective insulation is a great place to start. It’s an easy way to prevent air leaks and keep your home comfortable all year long!