harthomesllc - Tumblr blog

[harthomesllc]

Tips for Building a Custom Home in a Budget

It’s not like you were just born to pay bills and spend a substantial amount of income on them only. Especially energy bills! If you decide to upgrade your home's energy efficiency, you will save lots of money! There are plenty of ways in which you can avoid extra costs, even if you are ultra-busy. Energy efficiency allows you to set aside some amount of money for other essential matters like for yourself or for even a vacation.

Hart Homes LLC and other similar groups make sure that your house is energy efficient so that you can be stress-free about the energy department of your home.

Here are 5 ways you can improve your home's energy efficiency:

Switch to Energy-Efficient Doors and Windows

If you can afford new windows, then you should definitely go for them. They are much better at keeping the interior temperature in control because they do not allow for the hot or cool air to escape. Windows with wood frames are the best when it comes to insulation. They may be higher in price, compared to vinyl or aluminum models, but they will save you money in the long run.

Remodeling services are available throughout the country, which can easily procure energy-efficient windows for you.

Furthermore, poorly insulated doors are responsible for a significant amount of heat loss. Doors with a steel frame, foam insulation core, or energy-efficient fiberglass doors are perfect for cost efficiency. The trick is to look for Energy Star labels before buying one.

Do Something about the Lighting

You don't have to carry out any rocket science to save money on lighting. All you have to do is switch to LED bulbs. New light fixtures will help a lot as well. Do you know that lighting costs make up one-third of your electricity bill?

During the day, you can open the curtains and allow sunlight to brighten the rooms. This can save you a lot of money, and it is good for your health too. Also, it provides natural warmth during winter.

Energy Star-Certified Appliances

Newer homes most probably have energy-star appliances, but if the house is 15-20 years old, then energy-star-certified appliances will need to step in. New refrigerators can use up to 40% less energy than a model 10 years ago.

Furthermore, a new air conditioner, furnace, or boiler will save you hundreds if not thousands of dollars over the appliance's life span.

Even some low-cost air conditioners are more efficient than the 15-20-year-old high-end models.

Strategic Use of Ceiling Fans

Do you know that you can use your ceiling fan all year round regardless of what season it is? You can redistribute the air and stop worrying about the energy being used by them. Ceiling fans use very little power, somewhat the same as the amount of a light bulb.

Ceiling fans create a pleasant, gentle breeze and are more than just a decoration. Air circulation around your home is best achieved through ceiling fans. As compared to the energy used by an air conditioner, these fans literally take up nothing.

Efficient Water System

Saving costs associated with a home's water is important. And the good news is that it can be done in a number of ways. Low-flow plumbing fixtures- showerheads, toilets, and faucets use the minimum amount of water to get the job done. Some models are adjustable so the user can manually set the needed flow.

Another advantage of low-flow water supplies is that they are cheaper to install. And the best part is that they will pay for themselves in a few months with saved money on water bills.

A tankless water heater produces hot water on demand rather than keeping it hot for long hours, consuming more energy.

If you are thinking of replacing your water heater, you should also look at the fuel costs. There are several types of water heaters, each needing different fuels:

· Heat pumps transfer heat from one location to another instead of generating it. They are very efficient but work poorly in cold climates.

· Solar water heaters use the sun’s heat

· Tankless coil water heaters allow for your home heating system to heat the water. These are the most efficient during the cold months.

· Tankless water heaters allow for water to be heated as it passes through the circuit, thus eliminating the need for a tank. These are more energy-efficient than conventional water heaters.

· Storage water heaters come with a big tank where the water is heated

It is beneficial to assess the cost of different fuels in your area at first, but you should not limit yourself to it because one type may use the fuel more efficiently. For example, an electric heat pump is more energy-efficient than a gas-fired storage water heater, even though electricity is more expensive than gas.

Conclusion

Making your home energy efficient will not just save you money, but it is going to make you feel happier, and will affect your health positively too. So don’t hesitate to spend some extra dollars on energy efficient systems because they are an investment rather than a purchase.