Skip to content
Two investors reviewing resources on a laptop

Get industry-leading resources — for free

Unlock resources for every investing strategy and stage with a free account.

By continuing, you agree to BiggerPockets LLC's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Posted almost 16 years ago

Correcting Problems With Energy Use In The Home

High energy costs are becoming an increasing headache for homeowners, and finding techniques to reduce energy costs and make their homes more pleasant is becoming a prime consideration. A number of small actions can all be magnified, and not only have a significant impact on your monthly bill, however can increase the value of your property over time.

In a lot of homes, the biggest energy users are the large appliances like refrigerators, dryers, dishwashers and all the electronics that entertain us and make our lives easier. newer models of all major appliances have gone through testing under the U.S. EPA EnergyStar rating scheme that establishes the how much savings is actually gained when new appliances are brought in. Aside from the fact that they draw less power, newer appliances are less noisy, do a better job and do not face unavoidable repair costs since the warranty still stands. Another way to make a difference in your monthly electricity bill is to upgrade small appliances like crock pots, toaster ovens and coffee makers with energy efficient models.

A lot of resale properties, and sometimes newer constructions, frequently do not have proper insulation up in the roof which causes your heating and cooling system to lose efficiency. By simply rolling out fibreglass insulation throughout your home's attic, a significant amount of heat that is escaping when you need it most can be preserved. By installing a fan in the attic to pull out hot air, you can keep the air conditioner off on moderate days. More established communities may have more of these issues however if you were to look for real estate in Barrie you may discover newer houses that have more up-to-date insulation.

As a rule of thumb, any HVAC system older than 15 years may be replaced because it is going to impact your power bill as it decreases in efficiency and needs more frequent repairs. Portable HVAC units and full home heating and cooling systems with EnergyStar ratings usually have incentives for homeowners to upgrade that include Federal tax cuts, factory rebates or regional grants. In an effort to find out what subsidies are accessible you should consult a realtor because they frequently take real estate sales training that keeps them informed on these government incentives.

If you want to take your entire home off-the-grid and install alternative energy equipment such as solar panels, wind power or geothermal HVAC units, you might experience a return on your money within twenty years and never have to buy energy from the power company again. For smaller equipments, you can use solar panels on outdoor appliances to power your landscaping lights, gate opener, swimming pool motor and hot tub water heater. Doing this may boost a Brampton house for sale when there is a purchaser's market when competition is tight.

Largely in drought-prone regions, water costs may be a substantial expense, and having the right tools in place to preserve water is always a good move. Low-flow toilets, faucets and drip irrigation systems may assist to decrease the volume of water you use on a everyday.

Another great tool to heat and cool your home is the proper selection of the plants you use in the yard, especially near your home. Large leafy trees, shrubs and strategically placed trellises will help filter the sun and keep south facing walls and windows cooler. Another energy-saving strategy is to place rows of evergreens to divert winter winds.

Comments