How to Increase Your Home's Energy Efficiency on a Budget

Improving your home's energy efficiency can seem daunting, especially if money is tight. However, there are many simple and affordable ways to reduce energy waste and lower utility bills without breaking the bank. Here are some budget-friendly tips to make your home more energy efficient.

Evaluate Your Home's Energy Use

Before making any changes, take some time to understand how and where your home is losing energy. This will help you identify the most impactful and cost-effective upgrades.

• Examine your utility bills and look for patterns of high energy use. Are certain months significantly higher than others? This could indicate an issue with heating and cooling systems.

• Conduct an energy audit. Many local utilities provide free or low-cost audits to analyze energy efficiency. An expert can help pinpoint problem areas.

• Check for cold or hot spots, leaks, and drafts throughout the house. Trouble areas like the attic, windows, doors, and basements are common sources of energy loss.

• Inspect insulation levels in the walls, attic, floors, etc. Insufficient insulation can lead to higher energy usage.

• Assess the age and condition of appliances, HVAC systems, water heater, and other equipment. Old or faulty equipment operates inefficiently.

Improve Insulation

Adding insulation is one of the best investments you can make. Insulation slows heat transfer and reduces energy consumption. Focus first on the attic, where heat escapes most easily.

• For the attic, add insulation until you reach an R-30 level or the recommended level for your climate. This offers a great return on investment.

• Check wall insulation when renovating or remodeling. If needed, inject insulation foam into wall cavities.

• Insulate any air ducts or pipes that travel through unheated spaces like attics, basements or crawl spaces.

• Use weatherstripping and caulk to seal air leaks around windows, doors, pipes, vents, etc. This prevents drafts.

Adjust Thermostats

Simply tuning your heating and cooling settings can yield big energy savings.

• Program the thermostat to lower temperatures when away and at night. Recommended settings are 68°F for heat and 78°F for air conditioning.

• Use a smart thermostat to automatically adjust temperatures according to your schedule and preferences. This maximizes efficiency.

• During cold months, lower the thermostat by 1-3 degrees. For heat pumps, maintain a moderate setting. Drastic temperature shifts cause them to operate less efficiently.

• Run ceiling fans to circulate air. This allows lowering the thermostat a few extra degrees withoutsacrificing comfort.

• Set the water heater thermostat no higher than 120°F. This reduces water heating costs.

Weatherize Doors and Windows

Doors and windows are common sources of air leaks. Sealing these can lead to big energy savings.

• On doors, install weatherstripping around the frame and threshold. For larger gaps, use a door sweep underneath.

• Apply caulk along window frames and use weatherstripping on movable joints. For drafty windows, use plastic window insulation kits.

• Draw curtains and blinds at night to reduce heat loss through windows. Close drapes on south-facing windows during summer days.

• Check exterior doors for signs of aging. Consider replacing very old or poorly-fitted doors with new energy efficient models.

• Upgrade to double or triple pane windows as funds allow. This provides better insulation.

Switch to LED Light Bulbs

Replacing old incandescent bulbs with LEDs can reduce lighting costs by 75% or more.

• LED bulbs last years longer than other varieties, offsetting their higher upfront cost.

• Focus first on the most used fixtures, then replace bulbs throughout the house as they burn out.

• Use fixtures with LEDs built in, such as recessed or track lighting.

• Install LED nightlights. They use very little energy but provide ambient lighting at night.

• Use dimmers, timers, and motion sensors so lights operate only when needed.

Seal Air Leaks

Sealing places where air escapes is an easy, low-cost efficiency gain.

• Apply caulk around fixtures like outlets, switches, pipes, vents, etc. Also check dryer vents and mail slots.

• Cover single-pane windows with plastic sheets to reduce drafts. In summer, use reflective film to also block heat.

• For sliding glass doors, attach weatherstripping and install a heavy-duty door sweep.

• Seal any openings or cracks in the walls, floors, ceiling, and crown molding with caulk. Pay particular attention to the attic and basement.

• Use foam gaskets behind wall plates and electrical outlets. This air-seals around any wires or pipes.

Upgrade Equipment

While more expensive, replacing aging equipment provides long-term efficiency gains.

• For the furnace, replace filters monthly and have it serviced annually. Consider upgrading to a newer ENERGY STAR model.

• When it’s time to replace appliances, look for ENERGY STAR ratings. Key choices are the refrigerator, washer, and dishwasher.

• Insulate hot water pipes and drain about a quart from the water heater annually to remove sediment. If over 10 years old, upgrade to a new efficient model.

• Have an HVAC technician examine ductwork for leaks. Repairing these can improve efficiency by up to 20%.

With some low-cost upgrades and smart maintenance, you can reduce energy waste and cut down on utility bills. Being energy efficient saves money and also helps protect the environment.