Whether you’re looking to cut your energy bills and save money, or improve the saleability of your home by making it more energy efficient, knowing the right steps to take is crucial.
Improving the energy efficiency of your home can have a significant impact on how much it costs to run, while helping the environment.
It can increase the overall comfort of your home and make it more appealing when it comes to selling as it’s a feature you can highlight to prospective buyers.
By following these steps you can make a big impact on your home’s energy efficiency.
1. Insulate your home
Insulation is one of the most important elements in making your home energy efficient.
By adding insulation to your loft, walls, floors, and roof you can reduce heat loss and keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
This will not only reduce your energy usage, but it will also increase the overall comfort of your home.
Some local authorities offer incentives to home owners to improve their home’s insultation which can mean some big savings.
Having a efficiently insulated home can be a major selling point, especially as it’s one less job for the buyer to take on.
2. Upgrade your lighting
Energy-efficient light bulbs, such as LED lights, use much less energy and last much longer than traditional incandescent light bulbs.
By switching to LED lights, you can reduce your energy usage, lower your energy bills, and reduce your carbon footprint.
In addition, LED lights come in a wide range of styles and sizes, so you can find a bulb that will fit your lighting fixtures and suit your decor.
Effective and efficient lighting can also improve the look and feel of your home no end.
This is especially important when presenting it to a buyer and an area that I recommend you focus on when preparing your home for sale.
3. Install a programmable thermostat
A programmable thermostat allows you to set different temperatures for different times of the day.
This means you can keep your home at a comfortable temperature without wasting energy when you’re not there.
For example, you can program your thermostat to lower the temperature when you’re at work or asleep, and raise it again when you’re on your way home.
This simple change can have a big impact on your energy bills, saving you money over time.
Having this kind of tech available – especially if you install a smart thermostat that you can control from your phone – will make your home more appealing.
4. Seal your home’s air leaks
Air leaks can allow warm or cool air to escape from your home, which can lead to higher energy bills.
Look for air leaks around windows and doors, and use caulk or weather stripping to seal any gaps.
You can also check for air leaks in other areas, such as electrical outlets and switch plates, and seal any gaps that you find.
This simple step can help to reduce your energy usage and lower your energy bills.
Making small improvement and repairs like this can have a positive impact on the overall presentation of your home to buyers.
5. Use energy-efficient windows
Replacing your old, single-paned windows with double-paned, energy-efficient windows can help reduce heat loss and lower your energy bills.
Look for windows with low U-values, which indicate their thermal resistance, and consider adding window treatments, such as curtains or blinds, to help regulate the temperature in your home.
Double-glazing is expensive, but you’ll reap the rewards when it comes to putting your home on the market.
6. Consider solar power and solar panels
Installing a solar power system can help you generate your own electricity and reduce your reliance on the grid.
While solar power systems can be expensive to install, they can pay for themselves over time and help you save money on your energy bills.
In some cases you’ll also be able to sell excess power back to the grid – another incentive to get them installed.
Solar power system are incredibly popular these days and a potential buyer will see this as a huge positive when looking at your home.
7. Install a tankless water heater
A tankless water heater can provide hot water on demand, without the need to store hot water in a tank.
This can help you save energy, as you won’t be using energy to keep a tank of hot water warm when you’re not using it.
In addition, tankless water heaters are typically more compact than traditional tank water heaters, so they can be a good choice if you have limited space.
It’s another expensive improvement, but one that might be worth considering if your home needs modernising before sale.
8. Switch to low-flow showerheads
Low-flow showerheads can help you save water and energy by using less water to produce the same amount of pressure as traditional showerheads.
This can help you lower your water bills and reduce your carbon footprint, as less water means less energy is required to heat the water.
If you go ahead with this improvement, ensure that you highlight this when listing the selling points of your home.
9. Use drought-resistant plants in your landscaping
By using drought-resistant plants in your landscaping, you can reduce the amount of water you use for irrigation and lower your water bills.
In addition, drought-resistant plants can help you save energy, as they typically require less maintenance and can help to regulate the temperature in your yard.
Letting a buyer know that careful consideration has been given to the garden planting is a great way of showing of the home’s environmental credentials.
10. Invest in a high-efficiency HVAC system
A high-efficiency heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system can help you save energy and money by efficiently heating and cooling your home.
Installing an HVAC system is a major expense but over the long term it will have a significant impact on your bills and it’s something to highlight to a buyer.
An HVAC system could be a major selling point when putting your property on the market.
11. Install energy-efficient doors
Replacing your old, drafty doors with energy-efficient doors can help you reduce heat loss and lower your energy bills.
Look for doors with high R-values, which indicate their thermal resistance, and consider adding weather stripping or a door sweep to reduce air leaks.
You can also choose doors with low-e glass, which can help to regulate the temperature in your home.
By carrying out this work you’re removing another expensive job that I buyer would have to consider doing.
Conclusion
Creating an environmentally friendly home is a great way to reduce your own energy efficiency and bills while helping the planet.
It also makes your home much more appealing to buyers if you can demonstrate that several, possibly expensive, energy efficiency measures have already been put in place.
Be sure to make a list of all the improvements you’ve made when getting your home’s details ready prior to putting it on the market.
