Whether you’re motivated by environmental concerns or rising electricity costs, upgrading your home to become more energy-efficient is a noble project.
These same motivations have led to global changes in how modern homes are designed and built, so upgrading an existing home to these standards can improve its performance.
However, not every homeowner understands which upgrades are essential for boosting energy efficiency, especially if their home was built decades ago with outdated features.
If you’re happy with your old home’s design and structural well-being, you don’t have to completely do away with it for a modern home.
Here are five modern home upgrades you can implement to boost your home’s energy efficiency, making it perform as well as modern homes.
Heating and Cooling Systems
Heating and cooling systems become less efficient with time.
If your system has served you for more than 10 years, it may be less reliable than newer models, needing replacement.
By upgrading to a more energy-efficient model, you can boost energy efficiency in your home and improve overall comfort.
The best systems to consider for an upgrade are those with high Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) ratings, which often means a higher level of energy efficiency.
Sometimes, your unit may only need a replacement of parts to keep it functioning as well as a new one.
The most common areas to check include the air filters, which do a lot of work in keeping dirt and dust from compromising your HVAC system.
When a filter gets clogged with dirt and debris, the unit consumes more energy to operate normally. Ensure you check your filters more regularly, like every two months, to catch any clog buildups on time.
If changing the filters yourself, ensure you follow the arrow markings on the side of the old filters to keep the new filter aligned correctly in the direction of airflow.
You should also ensure the new filter has the same MERV number on the side as the old one for compatibility with the HVAC system.
Home Solar System
Whether you’re already using a solar system at home or are looking to install a new one to boost energy efficiency, your system must be in good shape at all times.
An efficient home solar system adds to your home the consistency of a power supply that is sometimes not guaranteed from the grid.
While the initial investment can cost upwards of hundreds of thousands of dollars, the long-term returns are always worth it.
Start by finding out how much you need for installing a new solar system and if you can finance it effortlessly through cash payment or a loan arrangement.
You can also decide on the type of solar energy system you need, whether it’s solar panels on the roof, a solar pool heater, or a solar water heater.
Any solar system you choose can effectively help cut energy consumption at home, especially if you have a larger family.
If you’re unsure how and where to start, you can consult further to see how home solar works before committing your resources.
The experts will guide you on the right financing options to consider, the type of system that’s good for your home, and other considerations before committing financially.
Windows and Doors
Even with efficient heating and cooling systems at home, you still need functional and energy-efficient windows and doors to maintain a minimum energy consumption rate.
A lot of energy escapes through your windows or doors, even if it’s just from a small crack or due to a lack of proper sealing.
This continued loss of energy can mean a higher bill every year, depending on the number of windows and doors you have in your home.
Old, drafty windows will cause heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer, affecting the efficiency of your heating and cooling system.
You can upgrade to energy-efficient windows with low-e coatings to block UV rays and minimize heat transfer through the windows.
Also, ensure any gaps and cracks in the window frames are sufficiently sealed to completely block heat loss.
Door frames that are old and detached from their positions can also be an area of concern.
Ensure you install new frames and weatherstripping or use caulking around door frames to keep out unwanted air and maintain the right temperature inside.
Always check for any signs of weakness regularly to ensure nothing is left to chance.
Smart Home Technology
If most operations in your house are still done manually or the old-fashioned way, there’s a chance you’re spending more on energy bills than you would if you automated operations.
Smart home technology enhances the energy efficiency of an old home by allowing homeowners to easily control and monitor energy usage.
It helps to optimize electrical appliances and lights to ensure they’re only consuming needed energy and that you’re enjoying a home that reflects your personality.
For instance, you can program your thermostat to automatically adjust the temperature based on the number of people in a room and usage patterns.
This thermostat setting helps reduce energy usage when rooms are unoccupied, saving you money and the stress of manually controlling temperature settings.
You can also programme other smart appliances like dryers, washing machines, and refrigerators to run during off-peak hours when energy rates are lower.
Also, control your smart lighting systems using voice commands or a smartphone app to turn off lights when not needed, even when you’re not at home, to reduce energy consumption.
Sealed Ductwork
Sealed ductwork can prevent air leakage into and out of your home, protecting your heating and cooling system from overworking and consuming more energy.
When hot air escapes through joints in the ductwork, you’re basically paying to heat areas in your home you don’t need heated, such as an unfinished basement.
It also means the needed heated air isn’t getting to the right places, such as the upper rooms in your home.
The most practical and quick solution is to seal the ductwork at all visible joints with a heating-vent tape to conceal warm air inside the vent.
By implementing the above five upgrades, homeowners can significantly reduce energy consumption to boost energy efficiency for a long-time coming. Whether your home was built decades ago or you’re just looking to optimize current systems, these upgrades can help you achieve the best energy consumption rates.
Only ensure they’re implemented perfectly to achieve long-lasting outcomes.
