Is Your Home Actually Energy Efficient?

If your home stays warm in the winter and cool in the summer without much hassle, then perhaps you’re feeling good about your home’s energy usage. But do you really know how to make your home energy efficient? Keep reading to learn how to do a simple energy assessment of your home to uncover some signs of inefficiency that will help you determine which energy-efficient home improvements are right for you.

What Makes a Home Energy Efficient?

An energy-efficient home is one that consumes less energy without significantly impacting its comfort and functionality. Consuming less energy is good for the environment, of course, but what usually gets homeowners really interested in energy efficiency is that it can save them money in the long run.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the average American spends $2,000 on energy costs annually. But anywhere from 10-20% of that figure could quite literally be going out the window. Air leaks around windows and doors could allow warm or cool air to escape, depending on the season, while an aging HVAC system works even harder to maintain a comfortable interior temperature.

Signs Your Home May Be Wasting Energy

If your monthly energy costs are higher than you would expect for your home, you can hire an energy-efficient home expert to conduct an energy audit of your home. This is an evaluation of the home’s major systems and appliances to determine their energy usage and identify ways to conserve energy.

But you can also perform a simple home energy assessment on your own. While every home’s energy needs are different, this list of questions can help guide you in your search for signs of energy inefficiency in your home.

Are certain rooms colder or warmer than the others?

Not all rooms in your home may feel the same temperature or even register the same. This could be because some rooms are better (or more poorly) insulated than others or have more (or less) energy-efficient windows. Then again, perhaps the ductwork in your HVAC system reaches some rooms better than others. It could be difficult to heat or cool these rooms efficiently unless adjustments are made by a home expert.

Is your HVAC system constantly cycling on and off to regulate the temperature in your home?

A well-maintained HVAC system will cycle on and off to maintain the temperature you set on the thermostat, but once it’s reached, it should only require minimal effort to keep it stable. However, if your HVAC system is running constantly, this could indicate air is escaping from your house.

Should your heating and cooling system be relatively new, start by checking the vents throughout your home to ensure that nothing is blocking access to the warm or cool air flowing through the ducts to those rooms.

Did the snow melt off your roof, but there’s still plenty on your neighbor’s roof?

This is not the time to gloat about having to do less snow removal in wintertime. A snow-free roof quickly after a blizzard means that your roof is leaking enough warm air to have melted the snow. While this doesn’t necessarily mean you need an entirely new roof, it does mean you should inspect for and seal any air leaks or low insulation spots to keep the warm air inside your home.

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Explore real project examples from Great Day Improvements that improved home energy efficiency.

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Do you feel drafts coming from a window or door?

The only time you should feel a draft in the winter is if you open a window or an outer door. But 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?

Double and triple-pane windows not only conserve energy by keeping the right air in and out, but they also block outdoor noise. Sure, you could turn up the music or the TV inside to drown out the sound of road traffic or your neighbor’s kids playing ball in the yard. However, if the 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.

Is your thermostat old?

If your HVAC system is working just fine with the thermostat you’ve been using for years—maybe decades? —then you might not be willing to mess with a good thing. But consider this: New, smart thermostats have programming capabilities that far exceed older analog and even digital models. You can adjust the thermostat remotely from your phone or tablet, or you can set up times during the day that you want to raise or lower the thermostat. There are even really smart thermostats that can track energy usage and automatically program your HVAC system accordingly.

Is your refrigerator always running?

No, this isn’t a lead-in to the age-old joke.It’s a reminder to check on your refrigerator’s ability to keep its cool (pun intended). If the door pops open, it’s constantly running, or you see condensation forming on the inside, it might be working too hard at its job—which is a waste of energy. It shouldn’t be working overtime to keep your food cool or frozen. If your refrigerator has celebrated several double-digit birthdays, it might be time to replace it with a newer, more energy-efficient model.

Here’s a simple test: Clamp a piece of paper by shutting the door on it and give it a tug. If it slides out easily, it’s time to replace the seal on your fridge.

Do you have upgraded light bulbs?

LED bulbs have long been the preferred replacement for incandescent bulbs. LEDs are more expensive, but they save you money in the long run, thanks to their longer lifespan and low energy output. Budget-minded homeowners should at least consider switching to LED bulbs if purchasing new appliances is not an option.

Home Renovations That Improve Energy Efficiency

Home renovations that improve energy efficiency might not be as exciting as, say, buying new furniture or painting an accent wall in your living room. But they can help improve your comfort and overall enjoyment of your home. Here are some energy-saving renovations to consider:

• Update caulking or weather stripping around windows and doors
• Replace seal on refrigerator and freezer doors
• Replace incandescent bulbs with LEDs.
• Install a smart thermostat that you can program remotely
• Install low-flow showerheads
• Install energy-efficient ceiling fans
• Eliminate drafts with energy-efficient windows and doors
• Add insulation to the attic, walls, basement, and crawl space
• Seal up leaky ducts
• Install a tankless water heater
• Replace appliances with Energy Star models that conserve water and energy
• Add insulated siding
• Upgrade your HVAC system to a heat pump or other more energy-efficient model
• Install solar panels

Energy-efficient appliances can ultimately pay for themselves over time, but if you don’t have room in your budget for a big-ticket purchase, opt for professional maintenance instead. An energy-efficient appliance is one that functions well first and foremost, so if you give your HVAC system a regular tune-up, it can last years longer. It’s possible that you just needed to clean your vents to ensure your house heats and cools properly.

Great Day Improvements offers a seamless process for choosing and installing energy-efficient features, such as new windows, doors, siding and roofing.

Ready to Save Energy and Money?

Again, while the environment will certainly benefit from any energy-saving renovations you make to your home, so will your wallet. If you have questions about energy-efficient windows and doors or wonder how efficient is solar energy for your home needs, contact

Our home experts will guide you every step of the way during the renovation process. Get a free quote to learn how energy-efficient renovations could benefit your home.

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