Did you know that up to 20% of your energy bill may be wasted because of poor efficiency?
Remodeling your home is a great way to cut those utility costs, make your home more comfortable and attract future buyers. If you’re wondering how to increase energy efficiency, there are a number of improvements you’ll want to consider, starting with a home energy audit.
Invest in an Energy Audit
Because every home is different, an energy audit will help you pinpoint the specific projects you’ll want to invest in to increase efficiency. It includes a walk-through by a qualified inspector, using specialized equipment such as an infrared camera.
The audit will account for many factors, including site conditions, local weather patterns and heating and cooling needs. The inspector will check your attic, crawl space, basement and wall cavities for leaks, drafts and poor insulation. The results will help you set appropriate goals and select the right materials for your remodel.
Windows
About 20% of the air that comes into your home enters through doors, windows and skylights. Besides looking for the ENERGYSTAR label, there are other criteria that will help you choose energy-efficient windows:
- U-factor: This measures how well a window prevents heat from escaping during the winter. Look for a number between 0.2 and 1.2, and the lower the better.
- Solar heat gain coefficient: This tells you how well the window protects against hot summer temperatures. It ranges from 0 to 1, and the lower the better.
- Air leakage: This indicates how much air comes into your home through a closed window. Look for a number between 0.1 and 0.3 to cut down on energy-wasting drafts.
- Visible transmittance: This is your window’s ability to let in natural daylight, which can save money on lighting. Look for a rating between 0 and 1, and the higher the better.
Doors
Although wood entry doors tend to perform better than metal, well-insulated steel or fiberglass can also give you substantial efficiency improvements. The criteria for choosing exterior doors are similar to what you’ll look for in your windows.
- Heat retention: Your doors should prevent heat from escaping when the weather turns cold. A door with an insulated core will perform better than one with a void.
- Air resistance: Both the door and doorframe must prevent air and moisture from seeping into your home. Look for quality materials that won’t bow, swell or move when the weather changes.
- Solar energy: If your entry door has glass panels, look for a model that limits the amount of UV radiation that comes through.
Exterior Siding
Quality exterior siding, combined with proper insulation, should guard your home against the elements. For better efficiency, look for siding materials with a high R-value. This metric tells you how well the siding keeps indoor temperatures from escaping, and the higher the number the better.
- Aluminum, steel and vinyl have an R-value of about 0.61, and quality insulation can boost that number to 1.8.
- Wood achieves an R-value as high as 0.8 and is also among the best-performing materials in terms of natural insulating ability.
- Stucco has an R-value of about 0.4 for every two inches of thickness, which is about twice the insulating quality of brick.
- Brick and stone veneer have an R-value of about 0.11 per inch of thickness. If you want the classic look of brick, high quality insulation is crucial for boosting efficiency.
In addition to good thermal properties, you’ll also want siding materials that will protect against high winds, extreme temperatures and heavy precipitation.
Lighting
About 11% of the typical home energy budget goes to lighting, and improvements here could reduce your lighting consumption by up to 75%. While most people are familiar with energy-saving bulbs such as LEDs or CFLs, updated lighting fixtures can also be a source of savings.
A good starting point is to match the amount of light needed to specific activities. Install brighter task lights for work areas such as the office or kitchen, and reduce ambient lighting in other parts of the house. As noted above, windows that let in abundant natural light reduce the need for electric lighting during the daytime.
Look for ENERGYSTAR lighting designed with efficient components, controls and systems. Good examples include fluorescent or LED fixtures for ceiling or wall-mounted lights. Recessed lights must be Underwriters Laboratory (UL) approved, insulation contact (IC) rated and ASTM E283 compliant.
Other Ways to Green Up Your Home
Use caulk, spray foam or weather stripping to seal up leaks around windows, doors, floors, walls, ceilings and fireplaces. Doing so could save up to 30% per year on energy costs. Likewise, make sure ducts are securely connected, insulated and sealed. Install proper insulation in attics, crawl spaces, basements and exterior walls.
Invest in a programmable thermostat and upgrade your heating and cooling system. A programmable thermostat automatically keeps your home comfortable and costs down. Modernizing your HVAC system can cut energy use by up to 50%, while an up-to-date water heater and appliances can also help you save.
If you’re looking to improve the energy efficiency of your home, stop by Mid-City Lumber for a wide selection of quality materials. Our friendly building experts will answer any questions you have and help you find everything you need for a successful project.
You can reach out to us online at any time.