Today, everyone is trying to make their home more efficient. When your home is more efficient, it uses less energy. Saving energy saves money (sometimes even if the form of a tax break), but it’s also good for the environment. Transforming your home reduces the amount of greenhouses gasses that your home emits. Some ways of improving your home’s efficiency are actually quite easy. No matter what your motivations are, increased efficiency benefits everyone, it saves you money and helps reduce damage to the earth.
The most important thing to consider is your home’s insulation. This will have the largest impact on your home’s energy efficiency. During the Winter months, heat can escape through your walls and attic; it’s like money flowing right through your walls. In fact, you can reduce your heating and cooling costs by about 20% just by properly insulating your attic and walls.
Not all insulation materials are the same, though, cellulose, fiberglass, and spray foam each have their advantages and disadvantages. For example, spray foam insulation is the best insulation for creating a seamless air barrier, meaning that there aren’t any cracks or gaps where air can escape. Cellulose is perfect if you’re in need of a lightweight option that offers multi-layered protection from heating and cooling loss. Last but not least, fiberglass insulation is popular because of its affordability and moisture resistance.
The appliances that you use in your home makes a difference in your energy bills. ENERGY STAR certified products can reduce your whole home’s carbon footprint. Some appliances require more energy than overs, so it’s important to do some research before deciding which appliances you want to replace. Modern washing machines use about half of the water that old machines do, and it only needs about 70% of the amount of energy. A new refrigerator won’t save you much in comparison to an ENERGY STAR certified washing machine, but the energy savings are still worth it over time.
New thermostat options allow you to program your home’s heating & cooling while you aren’t present, making it easier to reduce the amount of energy your home wastes. You won’t need to sacrifice any comfort in your home or need to totally modernize your HVAC system; a programmable thermostat can easily save you some money for those times when you forget to turn the heat down before leaving for work.
Our team at Anderson Insulation of Maine is here to help if you’d like to make your home more energy-efficient. Contact us today if you’re interested in cellulose, spray foam, or fiberglass insulation installation.