If you’re a homeowner, you likely know the feeling of constantly making adjustments and changes in your home as part of its maintenance. There’s always something you can do to improve your property so it reaches its full potential! Have you ever considered green energy investments as part of these changes? As we approach the hot summer season, it is a good time to think about how green energy can serve you and your home. Here’s what you should know about making your home energy efficient!
The benefits of green energy in your home
Green energy investments are very popular right now, and likely will be into the future as well. As concerns over climate change grow, more homeowners are looking for ways to cut down on their own energy consumption and waste. The more efficiently we can run our homes, the more we can help the environment. This mindset is very important for a growing number of homebuyers, too. Odds are good that if you ever decide to sell, being able to show off your green energy home features will play to your advantage in the market. Plus, many green energy features have a strong return on investment. Products that are more sustainable and low-energy will save you money on replacements and on your energy bills.
If you’re interested in green energy investments, a good place to start is getting in touch with a professional advisor. These people can visit your home and tell you how energy-efficient your operations are, and where there’s room for improvement. This usually involves an inspection of your appliances and your energy consumption. Based on the results, you can decide what projects you might like to take on. While it might seem a bit overboard to bring in an advisor to help you run your home more efficiently, it’s actually a great plan to ensure you focus on the key areas of your house. You can read more about finding an advisor here.
The best green energy investments for summer
Summer is a great time to evaluate the potential for green energy in your home. We tend to burn through a lot of energy this season as a result of blasting our air conditioning units in an attempt to keep cool. With that in mind, here are some suggestions for ways to make your home a bit more efficient.
Upgrade your air conditioning unit
For many people, having air conditioning is essential, and they are not willing to part with it in the summer. As the seasons get warmer and Ontario starts to feel more and more like an oven, we can’t reasonably expect people to ditch their AC units. However, why not make them more energy efficient?
Depending on the age of your current system, it might be time to consider an upgrade. Older models can use a ton of energy to operate, while many newer models are designed with the environment in mind. Plus, as the green energy movement gains momentum, there is no shortage of options. You can find several types of air conditioners that operate in an efficient manner, requiring less energy to use. You can still enjoy a nice, cool home, while also knowing it is costing you (and the environment!) less to operate.
Add solar panels to your roof
Solar panels power our homes using the natural energy from the sun. When sunlight hits these panels, they absorb this energy and convert it into electricity. This electricity is then used to run your home, from your lights to your water. Basically, you can live in a fully functioning home by just relying on natural sunlight. You will likely find that your energy meter also stays on the lower side, as taking advantage of sunlight in this way doesn’t suck up too much energy.
Invest in a smart thermostat
As the device that controls the temperature in your home, your thermostat holds a lot of power. Smart thermostats can help you when you want your home to hit certain temperatures. For example, if you don’t need the AC on full blast at all times, you can program your thermostat to turn it up or down at certain times, even if you’re not home. Some models can also tell you how much energy you’re using, making it easier to track.
Switch to energy efficient lighting
Finally, a green energy project that isn’t too overwhelming could be replacing the lighting in your home. Certain light bulbs, like traditional incandescent bulbs, use a ton of energy and have a shorter lifespan. On the other hand, LED bulbs do not require much energy to use, and they tend to last longer. Most homes make use of a good number of light bulbs at all times, so you may as well use ones that will save you money!
A quick note!
While green energy investments are great for the environment and your home, they are often pricey to install. It can take some time to actually start saving as a result of these changes, depending on the projects you take on. With that in mind, it’s a good idea to make sure you plan to stay in your home long-term before committing to any green investments. This allows you to actually enjoy the eventual benefits of your installations, rather than just passing them onto someone else.
The options for utilizing green energy continue to grow every day. Make sure you take the time to research what might work well in your home.
If you have any questions about your mortgage, get in touch with me!