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Homeowners everywhere are feeling the pinch when the bills come every month. As these costs continue to rise, the best thing we can do is face it head on and take action. At Great Day Improvements, we are proud to offer a wide array of renovation services and home improvement products to help you fight the rising energy costs.
Why Are Energy Costs on the Rise for Homeowners?
Data Centers Consume a Lot of Electricity
Data centers and AI are the new norm in 2026. These energy-intensive data centers require an immense amount of energy 24/7. This puts an enormous strain on the power grid.
The Power Grid is Old
The current power grid was built decades ago. It can’t handle this strain. Power companies are spending billions to update and replace these power lines, transformers, and substations. That means this cost gets passed on to the consumer.
Climate Change Causes Challenges
Finally, there’s the weather. Climate change has wreaked havoc on our power lines. Major storms destroy or cause major damage to the power infrastructure. Energy companies must turn around and spend more money to replace and/or repair these systems. Again, these costs get passed down to the consumer.
What Home Improvements are Energy-Efficient?
The good news is that most home improvements won’t make your energy efficiency worse. The real focus should be making sure your home is as energy efficient as it could be.
Are certain rooms colder or warmer than the others?
This could be because some rooms are better (or more poorly) insulated than others or have more (or less) energy-efficient windows.
Are there drafts under your doors or windows?
If you walk by and feel a chill — or worse, you feel a chill on the other side of the room — that means you’ll need to seal up some cracks or replace the window or door.
Can you hear outdoor sounds without straining?
If your windows aren’t thick enough to keep sound out, then they’re also not very efficient in maintaining the right mix of cool and warm air inside or outside your home.
Did the snow melt off your roof, but there’s still plenty on your neighbor’s roof?
A snow-free roof quickly after a blizzard means that your roof is leaking enough warm air to have melted the snow.
At Great Day, energy efficiency is a top priority in our products and installations. Request a project quote to learn more about how we can make your home more energy efficient.
Which Home Improvements Help Lower Your Energy Bill the Most?
Insulated Siding and Roofing
While siding seems more like an aesthetic addition to your home, think of it as a thermal blanket. It’s quite useful! Replacing the siding with insulated siding could save you up to 15%. While roofing, if insulated, could save you 7-20%. These numbers may not seem large, however, the impact of improving your insulation is immediate.
Energy-Efficient Windows
Windows can provide a significant amount of energy loss if old, deteriorating, or installed improperly. Properly made and installed windows protect your home from a lot of temperature transfer.
High-Performance Entry and Patio Doors
Exterior doors represent a small percentage of your home’s total area, so the energy loss is minimal. Therefore, the savings are potentially less than your siding and windows, but still important—especially when combined with the other improvements.
How Does Climate and the Age of Your Home Impact Energy Efficiency?
Climate determines how energy is lost, while the age of your home determines how much energy is lost.
Do Older Homes Struggle with Efficiency More Than Newer Homes?
Prior to the 1950s, most homes were built vertically, and therefore energy was lost through the chimney and the roof. Between 1950 and 1980, insulation was used, however, today that insulation is likely degraded. Homes built in the 2000s, will have tighter codes, but if built too tightly, their air quality could be poor.
Which Home Improvements Are Best for Hot vs Cold Climates?
Intersecting climate and age means if you have an older home and live in the north, air-sealing will be your priority against the cold. Seal up the windows, attic, doors, siding—anywhere your home may be leaking precious warm air.
If you have an older home, but live in a warm, sunny climate, you may have the opposite problem. You’re paying to overcool your house because the older windows aren’t built to bounce heat away.
The result is generally the same: good materials installed correctly will maintain the temperature inside your house and overall reduce your energy consumption.
Why Professional Installation is Crucial for Energy Savings
Effective Installation
When you’re trying to manage the airflow, a good seal is crucial. A professional will have the expertise to install your new windows, doors, or siding properly. Even if you have the best project on the market, if it’s installed improperly, it won’t be energy efficient.
Maintaining the Warranty
Most warranties require proper installation as a requirement. If a product is installed improperly, the warranty could be voided. A big part of your renovation value is in the warranty, so be sure that an approved professional does your install.
Let’s get started on improving your energy efficiency. At Great Day, we’re here to help!
Energy Efficient Home Improvement FAQs
Can Smart Thermostats Lower Energy Bills on Their Own?
Yes, but only a limited amount on its own. Automatic features like the ‘home’ and ‘away’ settings can help with not over-using your HVAC, however, if the air is escaping through your windows or doors, a smart thermostat can’t fix that.
Can I Improve Home Energy Efficiency Without Major Renovations?
Absolutely. You can start by replacing worn rubber seals at the bottom of your doors and replace them with ‘door sweeps’. They’re rubber seals the attach to the bottom of your door. Next, apply weatherstripping around your windows.
How Do I Know Which Energy-Efficient Home Improvements My House Needs?
Do a ‘check-in’ on your house. Check the seals on your doors, windows for leaking air. When is the last time, if at all, your attic was insulated? Consider the age of your home—a new HVAC system could be appropriate.
Should I Replace Windows or Improve Insulation First?
It really depends on which one is in worse shape. For maximum immediate improvement, you’ll want to update which of those are losing you the most energy. However, you’ll see an improvement with either one—you can’t lose!
