Do you feel that you’re overspending on energy bills? Between electricity, heating and cooling, and other utility bills, the average homeowner spends more than $4,000 a year for a single-family home.
Fortunately, there are steps you can take to lower these bills and make your home more energy-efficient.
Opt for Energy-Efficient Lighting
Consider using a mix of CFL and LED lights in your home. These bulbs utilize 25-80% less energy compared to traditional incandescent light bulbs.
Another advantage of CFL and LED lights is that the bulbs have a much longer lifespan. While a traditional 60W incandescent bulb typically burns out after 1,000 hours, a CFL bulb can last 10 times longer, and an LED bulb 25 times longer.
If you have large windows, take advantage of natural lighting as much as possible to reduce your energy consumption.
Lower Heating and Cooling Bills
Heating and cooling typically account for nearly half of a homeowner’s utility bill. You can reduce this portion by investing in newer heating and cooling appliances.
For instance, an HVAC unit with a SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating of 14 can reduce your bills by up to 36% (if your old unit had a rating of 9). The SEER indicates how effectively a unit cools air for the amount of energy it uses.
A programmable thermostat is another great way to reduce what you spend on heating and cooling. These devices allow you to create a personalized schedule while giving precise temperature control.
Control Temperature Fluctuation with Low E/argon Windows
Low E is a coating applied to the surface of a windowpane. Argon is a gas that window manufacturers insert in the gap between the interior and exterior pane.
The combination of low E and argon reduces the temperature variation of the window panes, resulting in better insulation and less condensation. You can also install doors and skylights that use low E coating.
Whole House Wrap for Improved Insulation
A whole house wrap is a layer of synthetic material that protects the exterior of your home. It can improve the insulation of your home by sealing the small cracks that exist between siding joints. Whole house wraps keep warm or cool air inside while allowing for humidity to evaporate and prevent mold from appearing.
Adopt A Greener Lifestyle with Craftmark Homes
Craftmark Homes implements many of the features mentioned above to help homeowners reduce their energy bills and live comfortably in the meantime. Many of our communities feature construction that is Energy Star certified, and we make it a point to include energy efficient appliances in our included features packages. We also participate in NGBS Green programs where available, and pride ourselves in low HERS scores.
Our goal is to build energy-efficient homes with practices that reduce our carbon footprint – and yours. Contact us to find out about available properties!