Optimizing Home Comfort and Efficiency: A Guide to Modern Upgrades

In today’s society, energy efficiency has long since evolved from a novelty and something reserved only for green enthusiasts to an absolute necessity. Yes, with the energy prices keeping their annual growth at 4% and unsustainable policies devastating the environment, even the biggest skeptics are realizing that environmental consciousness comes with certain benefits.
So, if you are planning to make your home more sustainable and energy efficient, you have chosen just the right moment to start the overhaul. Let us take a look if we can nudge you in the right direction with a couple of upgrade options that will help you meet these goals without sacrificing any of the comfort along the way.
Upgrade the insulation
Building an enduring building is virtually impossible if you don’t put it on a strong, solid foundation. That is why, all the subsequent efforts you are going to make will suffice to very little if your home keeps wasting heat and energy through poor insulation. Rough estimates by the EPA claim this upgrade can shave a whole 15% off your monthly energy bills which is something that shouldn’t be so easily overlooked. Of course, if you want to ramp up these numbers even higher, be thorough. That means you will also need to take into account your roof, and basement, and consider installing double-glazed windows.
Overhaul your HVAC system
HVAC systems are absolutely critical for a comfortable and healthy life. They also make one of the biggest power consumers in any household, so if you are looking for a way to tackle both these issues at the same time, you can as well start here. Of course, air conditioner replacement costs can be a bit off-putting but if you invest in the proper equipment, smart thermostats, and IoT-powered systems, you will get a performance that is as clean, energy-efficient, and sustainable as it gets. From this point on, it’s all up to regular inspections, and proper maintenance, so keep handymen on a speed dial.
Shake up the plumbing fixtures
The idea of sustainability does not revolve entirely around the idea of energy preservation. Water also makes an incredibly important piece of this puzzle. So, since you are already overhauling your home, use this opportunity to get in touch with professional handyman services, and see how you can make your plumbing system more efficient. This doesn’t exclude turning your bathroom into a cozy spa (steam showers use less water than traditional ones) or integrating your kitchen into a living room with an open floor layout. If anything, do your best to at least use more of the low-flow fixtures.
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Expand the window space
Now, opening up your house and expanding available window space can be a double-edged sword since traditional windows are usually poorly insulated. But, if you are ready, like in the previous cases, to ponder investment into double-glazed windows, you will be glad to know that natural light also reduces your dependence on artificial lighting sources, and, thus, conserves more energy. This sort of upgrade also opens up the space and gives you access to natural light which is known to have tremendous benefits. So, you are getting both sustainability and comfort in one swift stroke.
Take care of the lighting
Expanding the window space as we mentioned earlier will reduce your energy consumption during the daytime. However, when the sun sets, you need a lighting system that will be easy on the eyes as well as provide enough efficiency to meet sustainable criteria. Fortunately, most of these upgrades can be performed with nothing more than quality pocket knives so shut off the power, be creative, and knock yourself out. For a start, install more efficient LED or CFL bulbs. Second, consider splitting lighting sources into layers that will allow you to focus on certain areas and save ancillary lights for special occasions.
Tackle the water heating issues
Much like HVAC systems, water heaters top the list of the heaviest power consumers you can find in any home so they make an obvious target for renovation. Fortunately, you have a couple of options on your table to play with. First, comes in the form of heat pump water heaters that heat the water by moving heat around just like the heat pumps that heat your home. They are usually two to three times more efficient than traditional heaters. Tankless water heaters are your second option. Since they heat the water only when in use they spend very little energy and present a very sustainable solution.
Start using renewable energy sources
We saved this one for the end because, even though their price is gradually dropping, the renewable energy home systems still present a very considerable investment. Be that as it may, governments all over the world are doing their best to make the acquisition of solar panels, wind turbines, and similar assets much simpler through various rebates and incentives. Your job is to inquire about such programs, see how they fit into your budget, and make the jump to green energy if the numbers add up. But, even so, solar-powered chargers and similar smaller items are within any budget so start with them.
Wrapping-up
Well, we hope these couple of examples gave you a general idea about the upgrades you can make to turn your house into an eco-friendly and sustainable paradise. And not only doesn’t that – living without vesting any resources doesn’t mean you have to live frugally. So, all the things we proposed in the lines above won’t take anything from your comfort. They will only add to it. So, roll up your sleeves and make sure your home is ready for a greener, more sustainable, and more carbon-neutral future.