As a homeowner, it's important to make basic updates throughout the years that help optimize your household's energy efficiency so you don't end up wasting money on heating and cooling costs. Many home updates can provide you with ongoing energy savings and at the same time offer a variety of other benefits to take advantage of – here are three such options to consider incorporating:
Plant Deciduous Trees in the Yard
Planting a few deciduous trees on your property is an excellent way to protect your home from the exterior elements and save some money on monthly energy costs. Deciduous trees serve well as windbreaks, which helps minimize wear and tear on the home itself. These trees are full of large leaves during the summer months which offers shade and natural heat protection from the sun. During the winter, deciduous trees lose their leaves and allow the sun to warm things up inside your home.
Thanks to this protection, your heater and air conditioner won't have to work as hard throughout the year. What's more is that landscaping with trees can increase your property value by up to 20 percent overall, which can come in handy if you decide to sell or take out a second mortgage a some point in the future. Plant your new trees in front of windows that get direct sunlight and near your exterior HVAC unit.
Insulate Your Windows
You can significantly decrease both heat loss and gain and therefore save yourself some money on energy expenses from month to month by installing window insulation film on every pane in your home. Once applied, the film makes indoor temperature control easy and reflects UV rays to protect your walls, floors, and furniture from fading due to sun damage. Window insulation film comes in a variety of shades and designs, which should make it easy to create a new custom look for your home with its use. You can even make your windows look as though they have been made of stained glass.
Install an Automated Home Security System
Many home security companies now offer home automation plans that allow you to access and control your home's HVAC thermostat, lights, and even small appliances remotely. Not only will an automated home security system keep you and your household safe from theft, fire, and carbon monoxide poisoning, but it will enable you to manage your energy use wherever you may be throughout the day.
With home automation in place, you can turn the air conditioner off once you get to work if you forgot to do it earlier, or turn the heater on an hour before heading home when it's cold outside so you don't have to leave it on all day in order to ensure your comfort once you walk through the door. These practices can yield you energy savings that really add up at the end of the year.
The home update options should provide impressive results on their own, but consider using them in combination to ensure that your home is optimally protected.
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Share6 June 2016
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