Adopting new strategies to boost energy efficiency at home doesn’t only save you money, but it also enhances your overall quality of life and protects the natural environment. Building an energy-efficient home provides several benefits, such as a stable indoor climate, enhanced comfort, and a healthy environment. You can make any property more energy-efficient, regardless of whether it’s old or new. It's also worth noting that its requirements have become crucial aspects of state regulation in many countries. Therefore, make sure you know these common things that can affect your home’s energy efficiency and address them.
Harsh weather
Seasonal weather changes, including temperature fluctuations, can greatly impact your home’s energy efficiency, especially if you don't practise proper routine maintenance. Harsh weather conditions stress your heating, cooling, and ventilation systems, affecting their ability to regulate indoor temperature. Unfortunately, this factor can, in turn, lead to increased utility costs. Consider embarking on home improvement projects to accommodate seasonal weather changes and enhance efficiency.
Insulation
Poor insulation can also cause serious problems for your home’s energy efficiency. Therefore, make sure you find ways to overcome these issues. Having sufficient insulation around the foundation, walls, and roof can help keep heat in the house and cold at bay. The question of how much insulation is enough for your home depends on the insulation type and the location of the property. That said, you need about 300 mm (11.8 inches) for most insulation wools. Homeowners who use polyurethane-based insulation may get away with 200 mm (7.9 inches).
Windows and draughts
Windows can cause several comfort issues at home. They are notorious for contributing to rising utility bills relating to HVACs. Windows that are past their prime may require replacement to improve energy efficiency. Upgrading to low-maintenance and high-performance windows is a smart way to overcome draughts and make your property feel cosy. While at it, look out for other areas that let the draughts in, as they can increase your energy bills.
Natural lighting and orientation
Good natural lighting provides substantial economic and energy consumption benefits. Similarly, the orientation of your home relative to the sun’s path also requires thoughtful consideration, as it determines how much natural light your property receives. Windows, skylights, and glass-panelled doors are major components that can benefit from the sun’s illumination and heat energy if you optimise your building’s orientation.
Lighting equipment
The kind of lighting equipment and other electrical appliances you use at home can also determine your property’s energy efficiency. Therefore, factoring them into your plan is vital when trying to boost your home’s energy efficiency. One proven strategy to cut utility bills is to replace old lighting fixtures and bulbs with energy-efficient LEDs. In addition to that, you may want to choose other devices with low consumption and upgrade any old appliances like HVAC systems.
The benefits of an energy-efficient home include lower energy consumption, healthier environment, and comfortable living. Therefore, make sure you consider the above efficiency factors when designing your dream home.
