From Guest Blogger Bob Gorman: Sustainable Remodeling Tips To Make Your Home Energy Efficient

One of the main advantages of building a brand new home is the fact that they’re more energy efficient overall, which means they cost significantly less to run and maintain. But, if you choose to remodel a somewhat older home, why not slash your utility bill while making it healthier as well? Make the most of your home remodeling efforts by incorporating some very cost-effective, energy efficient upgrades. As the cost of energy keeps rising, many homeowners are seeking practical ways to make their homes more energy efficient in general without breaking their budget.

If you’re getting ready to remodel your current home, it’s possible to retrofit several energy efficient elements, such as installing a tankless water heater, new HVAC system, or a more eco-friendly roofing system.

Whether you’re building your new dream home or remodeling your current home so it’s more eco-conscious of the environment, here are some common sense ways to make your home more ‘green’ overall.

Focus on upgrading your HVAC system.

For the majority of homes, the HVAC system is likely a major source of high energy consumption. However, there are many changes you can make in order to improve this, such as replacing your outdated HVAC system with a better efficiency model that has an Energy Star rating. Furthermore, you can replace or seal your air ducts, re-seal your windows and doors, and add more insulation to your attic and exterior walls so your heating and cooling system doesn’t have to work as hard as well.

Ensure your home is completely insulated.

By insulating your home’s ceiling, it will help keep the warmth inside during the cold season and significantly diminish how much heat is allowed to penetrate your home in the hottest months of the year.

Depending on your preferences and unique circumstances, there are several insulation choices you can go with. Some of the more popular choices include loose fill, reflective foil and batts, and wool. Also, by mounting a whirlybird on your roof, you can effectively decrease heat build up even more.

Use quality energy efficient roofing materials.

Prolonging the life of your home’s roof means choosing from a vast array of innovative technologies used to restore roofs. These roofing material solutions consist of asphalt, silicone, urethane, coal-tar, and polyurea. Other technologies include emulsion, solvent-based, acrylic, and hybrid materials that may use one or more of these specific chemistries. In terms of higher quality, coatings that use outstanding waterproofing elements can be implemented for excellent protection while closely matching the original appearance of the roof.

Replace old, outdated windows.

If you have old or energy-wasting windows in your home, it’s likely more cost-effective to just go ahead and replace them rather than try to improve their efficiency. High quality, energy efficient windows will pay for themselves over time by substantially reducing cooling and heating costs. Anyone can easily improve a window’s energy efficiency by simply adding storm windows, weatherstripping and caulking, and using the appropriate window coverings or treatments.

A new Energy Star water heater will save you money.

You can greatly reduce your water-heating bill each month by installing a good quality water heater for either your home or swimming pool by following a few energy efficient water heating methods. Whether you choose a storage, tankless, or solar-powered water heater, you’ll save money over time by implementing the right type for your home’s needs. Be sure to look for the Energy Star seal.

Increase maximum efficiency by using the power of the sun.

Solar panels are a long-term alternative as a sustainable energy source. In fact, solar power far exceeds any plausible energy demands for the future. Not only is it environmentally clean and safe, the energy it draws from the sun is 100 percent free. Incorporating solar power into your home will greatly benefit the planet as well as save you literally thousands of dollars in utility costs over time.

Over the past few decades, homes have increasingly become more energy efficient, which indicates that there are a number of products and materials that you can choose from today in order to make profound positive improvements throughout your home. Renovation efforts that enhance both energy efficiency and style can lead to a quality home that’s a joy to live in as well as benefit future generations to come.