When thinking about making your home more energy-efficient, get clear on your intention. Clarity will give you a sense of direction. Knowing what to do will help you determine what to do.

Does your home just need to make a few changes to cut your utility bills, or do you need a full-blown energy upgrade because you plan on selling the house? Getting clear on your intentions will help you determine your priorities, your budget, and the scope of your project to optimize your energy usage.   

Ultimately, any upgrades you make to improve energy efficiency should also add value to your home as well. Of course, some upgrades cost more than others, but depending on the specific upgrade, it may qualify for some sort of tax incentive. This tax deduction or credit will help offset some of the upfront costs of the upgrade. You just won't realize this savings until tax time. You can find a tax calculator online that can help give you a better idea on how a specific deduction will impact your overall tax return.

Here are a few ways to make your home more energy efficient.

Hire a Contractor to Improve Your Home’s Energy Efficiency

When you’re looking to upgrade certain aspects of your home’s energy efficiency, hiring a professional is essential. But it’s challenging to find a reliable home contractor.

How do you know which contractor will give you the best recommendations when it comes to improving home energy efficiency? For instance, when you go through the phone book for your city, how do you know the contractor you select will even keep their appointment for an interview. Then, once hired, how do you know if they will show up on time to do the work or finish when promised?  

While reaching out to multiple contractors and asking about their work experience and their time frame for getting things done is a good way to find someone, searching online for a home advisor service is an easier and more reliable way. A professional service network like HomeAdvisor, for example, serves consumers in the U.S. and Canada. Browse through its network of affiliated contractors to get quotes and hire the right person for the job.

How to Make Your Home Energy Efficient

How you reduce your home’s natural energy is a key step to further reducing its impact on climate change and protecting our planet. Make your house more energy efficient to achieve this goal.

Research energy-efficient products. They play an important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions at home as well as improving the environment.

Buy quality energy-efficient products, including lighting, heating and cooling equipment, windows, and plumbing. New light bulbs, for instance, cost less than older models, last much longer, and emit brighter light.

Here are some examples of ways to save energy:

• Install solar panels on the roof and get a smart meter to monitor usage.
• Replace an inefficient indoor climate control system with one that works better while saving you more money on your heating and cooling bills.
• Look at your main furnace. Is it running at optimum capacity? If not, check the filter. Is it clean? Also, try using a programmable thermostat.
• Set up a kitchen smart thermostat which will cut down on the time to cook meals. It will also consume less electricity.

An Energy-Efficient Home Improves Its Resale Value

Making your home more energy efficient is one of the many ways you can improve the resale value of your home.

You have probably heard people say that they want their home to increase in value by the time they plan on selling it. Building an energy-efficient home is a great way to accomplish this goal because energy efficiency is usually on the top of many homebuyer’s checklists.

Most real estate professionals say that making your home energy-efficient adds significantly to your house’s sale value. An energy-efficient house is easier to sell because a new homebuyer will appreciate how much they can save on their utility bills and how much more comfortable they will feel in the home every season.

Conclusion

As energy prices continue to rise, it is important to consider ways to reduce your energy costs. Save by reducing the amount of energy you use at home?  

You can save hundreds of dollars a year by making your home more energy-efficient. Roofs and walls, doors, and windows can all be sealed better to help you stay comfortable during a freezing winter or a blistering hot summer. Anything you can do to upgrade energy consumption from attic insulation to basement finishing can help you maximize the energy efficiency of your home.

partnered post • cc-licensed image by Future Atlas