A few small changes could make a world of difference in your energy use!
It seems these days everyone is trying to save energy to either save on their electric or utility bills or to help lower their carbon footprint to help the environment. However, making your custom home more energy efficient doesn’t have to be difficult or uncomfortable! Here are a few ways you can make a huge difference by making small changes.
Water-Saving Showerheads
Most conventional showerheads use about 5 gallons of water per minute; you’ll decrease that by half with a low-flow showerhead. You won’t even notice the change!
Window Seals
Warm air in the winter and cool air in the summer can easily escape through cracks or gaps between your windows. Using weather stripping or shrink film to cover your drafty windows can make your home more energy efficient by keeping all the warm or cool inside of your home.
Unplug Unused Electronics
Did you know that keeping your chargers plugged in when you’re not using them could account for as much as 10% of your energy bill? Now, one charger isn’t going to make a huge difference, but think about how many things use energy just by being plugged in that are not currently in use.
Water Temperature
Up to 90% of the energy used to run your washing machine is just to heat the water! By opting to use either cool or warm instead of hot water, you can see some significant savings. If hot water is critical to your cleaning needs, consider using Energy Star certified appliances, as they are optimized for energy-efficiency.
Attic Insulation
As we know, heat rises, but if there are air leaks in your attic, you may not feel that warm air recirculates through your house. Adding additional insulation can make your home more energy efficient and is relatively inexpensive.
Maintain your HVAC System
Getting an annual tune-up on your HVAC system will ensure that you’re running at peak energy efficiency. Not only will it save you monthly on your heating and cooling bill, but a tune-up will also keep you from needing to replace your furnace as often.
Consider Solar Panels
The ultimate upgrade to make your home energy efficient is solar panels. While these aren’t cheap, in the long run, they save a lot of money on energy bills and are great for the environment because they lower the need for fossil fuels in your home, not to mention there are tax incentives!
Contact Homeland Builders, LLC Today!
Homeland Builders is honored to help you build your dreams. We proudly serve the custom home needs of families throughout Anne Arundel County, Calvert County, Queen Anne’s County, Prince George’s County, Saint Mary’s County, Montgomery County, and Howard County. If you’re located in Maryland and have a vision for the perfect home for you and your family, don’t hesitate to give us a call at 443-336-1164 or email us at [email protected] today, and we will be happy to answer all of your home building questions. Let us provide you with our complimentary consultation to discuss your project design and budgeting requirements.
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This entry was posted on Friday, July 20th, 2018 at 10:08 pm. Both comments and pings are currently closed.