Making your old home energy-efficient can be challenging, especially if you haven’t made recent upgrades. Usually, old homes aren’t built with energy efficiency in mind, and some even focus on attractive designs.
Fortunately, there are ways you can do to make your old home more energy-efficient without making any major renovations. Below are some of the simple tips to enjoy savings on your utility bills and energy consumption:
Take Advantage Of Solar Energy
While most old homes are heated with oil or gas, there’s a growing awareness of the advantage of solar energy, which takes the strain off the boilers by providing hot water via solar thermal panels. Other older homes also use solar photovoltaic panels that absorb the sunlight to produce electrical energy. Saving more money with these solar energy tips can be achieved by installing the right solar systems with the assistance of professionals.
Conduct An Energy Efficiency Audit
If you want to make your old home more energy-efficient, you should conduct an energy efficiency audit. It’s a comprehensive evaluation of how much energy your house currently uses and how much might be saved through simple changes. It may also determine areas where you can improve your property’s insulation, windows and doors, and cooling and heating systems.
Upgrade Your Doors And Windows
Doors and windows are other sources of leaks in an old house. A single pane window can’t compete with today’s replacement windows. Moreover, old doors might be drafty and don’t have insulation features of the newer models. So, installing new windows and doors makes sense if you want to make your house energy-efficient.
If you have a tight budget and upgrading your doors or windows isn’t an option, you may consider adding plastic installation and caulking to your windows. This will help minimize the costs, but not as much as replacing your windows and doors with newer models.
Swap To Light Emitting Diode (LED) Lighting
It’s a low-cost and easy place to start when making your old house more energy-efficient. Unlike the traditional lighting options, LED lighting is long-lasting, bright, and energy-efficient. While they tend to be more expensive, you can enjoy more savings on your utility bills in the long run. Plus, various LED lighting styles can match your home décor.
Install A Smart Thermostat
The newest models of smart thermostats provide various energy-saving features. For example, you may set them for times when you’re at home or away. When you can program the thermostat to your unique specifications, it’ll eliminate manual adjustments, saving you more money and energy over time.
At present, there are many smart thermostats you can choose from. If you don’t know what’s suitable for your needs, ask around and read reviews online. This way, you’ll make a well-informed decision without wasting your time and money.
Seal Your Attic And Add Insulation
Most old houses don’t have proper insulation. For this reason, adding blanket insulation or blown-in insulation to your attic and walls can make a difference in enjoying energy savings. However, the actual savings may depend on the level of insulation necessary and the type of insulation you consider.
If you can’t figure out the right insulation level and type suitable for your old home, reach out to the best insulation company in your area. Professionals are more knowledgeable about the ideal insulation that’ll help seal gaps and holes in your attic, keeping your house more energy-efficient and comfortable to live in.
Seal Air Leaks
Another simple way to make your old house energy efficient is to seal air leaks. Air leaks may happen anywhere around your house and may cause your cooling and heating systems to work harder than necessary. It may result in increased wear and tear on your home appliances and higher energy bills.
When sealing air leaks, you must find the areas where possible leaks occur. An easy way to do it is by using lit candles. Turn off the lights in your house and blow out the candles. Hold your lit candle near the edges of your doors or windows. If the flame flickers, there’s an air leak.
Once you find the air leaks, seal them immediately with weather-stripping, caulk, or sweeps. Such materials don’t cost much and are easy to find at local hardware stores.
Upgrade Your Home Systems And Appliances
Old houses are known to have water-guzzling showerheads and leaky faucets. To make your home energy-efficient, consider upgrading them and opt for more efficient products. These days, energy-efficient models don’t cost much.
You may also try upgrading your old boiler to the most efficient heating system and other major appliances such as washers, dryers, ovens, and refrigerators. This is especially true if your home’s systems and appliances are almost a decade old. Newer units are more energy-efficient and consume less energy.
Conclusion
These are just some of the ways to make your old home energy efficient. However, depending on your old home’s overall condition and the available options, make sure to spend time figuring out precisely what should and can be done. If possible, opt for renovations and upgrades that make the most sense for your budget to get the best results.
