Remodeling your home is an exciting venture. Whether you are improving one room or multiple spaces, you want to think ahead. Incorporating the tips below during your renovation can help you save on utility bills down the road.
1. Install Solar Panels
Solar panels convert the sun’s rays into usable energy for your home. In some cases, solar panels can produce more energy than you need, leaving you with a surplus. This means you may not even pay a monthly electric bill. Even if you live where it’s often cloudy, you could still benefit from solar panels. Not only do solar panels have the potential to save you money on utility bills, but in many cases, you will receive a tax break for installing them.
2. Ensure Proper Seals
If your home has air leaks, you’re probably going to pay more for your utility bills. During the summer, leaks around doors, windows and roof vents allow for heat exchange between the cool air inside and the warm air outside. Your air conditioning unit will work overtime trying to compensate, resulting in a higher utility bill. Similarly, during winter, a strain is put on your furnace. If you’re remodeling, do yourself a favor and properly seal your home now. If your renovation includes new walls, this is a perfect time to look for energy efficient spray foam solutions to help insulate your home.
3. Choose Efficient Appliances
If you’re replacing old appliances during your remodel, consider choosing efficient appliances to save energy and money. There are plenty of energy-efficient options on the market today. For example, dual flush toilets have two buttons, allowing you to use less water for liquid waste. Most appliances will have a label that indicates if they are energy efficient. When shopping for appliances, take note of the amount of water or kilowatt-hours (kWh) they use. You can use these numbers to compare appliances.
When remodeling a home, you want to do things right. Consider the above tips for your next remodel to cut down on the costs of future utility bills.