Some developers build new homes with the latest materials and technologies, but some refurbish their old houses. On the other hand, if you think about it, building a house will surely consume more energy compared to refurbishing an older home. It is possible to make your home more energy-efficient without having to spend a lot of money. So it is important to make your abode more comfortable, safe, and sustainable.

There are various ways on how you can improve the energy efficiency of your house. Here are some pointers that will surely help:

Invest In Solar System

Solar panels are the most popular renewable energy option today. They can be used to generate electricity and heat water for your daily needs. According to www.trustedsolar.com.au, you can save up to 65%-85% each year for your electricity bills if you use solar panels. The good thing about solar panels is that they are very easy to maintain. Just make sure that they will fit the architecture of your house and will provide maximum sunlight exposure year-round. Another great investment is adding insulation materials like fiberglass or cellulose in between floors and around exterior walls. These materials help to reduce heat transference, making it easier for you to turn on your heater during colder months.

Replace Your Old Furnace And Heater

Having an energy-efficient furnace and heater will do wonders for your house. In this case, a new, efficient heating system is the best option for old houses with ineffective heating systems. In addition to that, you can install a programmable thermostat in your home so the temperature inside it will be adjusted when not being used. Investing in renewable energy sources is also great since they produce less greenhouse gas emissions than conventional fuel sources that rely on non-renewable resources. Even if solar panels are still quite expensive, you should still invest in them because most of their costs can be recovered after ten years of use.

Improve Indoor Air Quality

It is very important to maintain ideal air quality inside your house because if the air you breathe is polluted, it can cause serious health problems. A great way to start this process is by inspecting all of the sources of pollution present today, such as dust, pollen, and pets, among others. It would help if you then eliminated or minimized these factors that affect your indoor environment. Consider installing a humidifier if you live in areas with dry, cold air and a dehumidifier for warm and excessively moist environments. Installing an electric fan will help circulate the air inside your home -this will ensure that everyone is breathing properly during the winter months. Use those less toxic cleaning agents so they don’t cause serious health problems.

Improve Your Windows And Doors

This is another effective way on how you can improve the energy efficiency of your house. According to the EPA, 20% of all heat loss happens because windows and doors are not properly insulated. This means that replacing your old windows with new ones will surely make a huge difference in energy consumption within your home. It would also be best to avoid using aluminum or uPVC windows since they are not eco-friendly materials that release toxic gases during the production process. If you want more natural light inside your living space, consider installing skylights on top of your room’s roof trusses since their installation will cause minimal damage to the existing structure of your home.

Make Sure Your Appliances Are Efficiently Operated

This means that you have to get rid of old appliances which are not energy efficient. In this case, the ideal type of appliance that you should use is classified as ENERGY STAR certified. This will surely help in reducing your electricity bills and making a great impact on our environment. If you want more information on choosing an appliance through online resources, you can always visit the EPA website for further guidance. Also, space heaters are not efficient when used for heating your house. Hence, you should consider using space cooling fans if you still want to have one in your home. The energy-efficient options you choose will surely help reduce the electricity bill in time.

Remember that improving the energy efficiency of your abode requires careful consideration. This is because it requires you to make some sacrifices. There may be parts of your house that will likely become unused once insulation materials are installed. With these things in mind, the entire renovation process can still make sense for your household. Besides, it pays off big time if you plan on doing home renovation compared to re-building one from scratch since refurbishing an older place comes with fewer expenses and energy savings.