Most homeowners are looking for ways to reduce their utility bills. In this era of sustainability and conservation, many people install solar panels on their roofs to be friendly to the environment while minimizing energy costs.
Solar panels are definitely the best option for creating efficient energy in your home, but there are also other remodeling projects that will help you minimize the utility bills in your home.
Here are five energy-efficient remodeling projects that can help you reduce your utility bills:
1. Roof Replacement
The building envelope of a house should be made with quality materials in order to be energy efficient. The building envelope is the physical separator between the interior and exterior of the home and it keeps out unwanted water, air, light, heat, debris, and noise.
You can do a blower door test to determine if there are any leaks through the building envelope and if it requires attention. The building envelope includes insulation, framing, and siding, but it is the most important element in the roof.
The roof can be damaged by direct exposure to UV rays and other elements that may be caused by severe weather. This causes the breakdown of most building materials within 20 years of installation.
If the blower door test shows that some energy is lost through the roof, consider replacing it with modern composite shingles that can endure many different weather conditions for up to 50 years.
2. Insulation Makeover
When it comes to discussions about energy efficiency in homes, insulation is always a big topic. Typically, most homes add spray-in, fiberglass batt, or below grade insulation to the framing before applying the drywall. These types of insulation have benefits initially, however fiberglass settles over time, reducing the R-value (the ability of a building to prevent the transfer of air) of a home as it ages.
Attic door insulation is also necessary because it is in the part of your home that is unconditioned, like the garage. Therefore, you should insulate it with the correct R-value as recommended by the Department of Energy for the weather in your area. Insulating the attic door will reduce your energy bills and make your home more comfortable.
3. New Window Installation
Remodeling your home with new windows can improve both the aesthetics and energy efficiency. The choice of upgrade for most modern homes will likely be either aluminum or Low-E vinyl windows.
Both window types are more advanced than the wooden sashes and frames in terms of durability, cost, and maintenance, however, they are not the same when it comes to energy efficiency.
Aluminum window frames can easily transfer ambient air temperatures, making the interior of the home hot in the summer and cold in the winter. On the other hand, Low-E vinyl windows conduct no energy, by reflecting unwanted energy to maintain the consistency of the temperature inside your home.
4. Radiant Floor Heating
Hard flooring such as luxury vinyl tile or engineered hardwood is energy efficient because of its snug installation and maintenance, but it can be a bit frigid during the colder months and in the morning. Radiant floor heating is a creative way to solve this problem.
Radiant floor heating is one of the below deck installations that you can do in your home to save energy. It can be in the form of electric thermal mats or heated pipes laid beneath the flooring.
This ensures that heat is distributed throughout the day, keeping the floor’s temperatures comfortable in all weather conditions. Plus the added luxury of keeping your feet warm!
5. New Siding
Siding is more than improving your home’s exterior appearance and curb appeal. It is also responsible for blocking outside air from penetrating the house and retains the air and heat inside the walls.
Metal plank siding is becoming popular among homeowners not only because of its durability, strength, and low maintenance but also because it is energy efficient. Due to its reflective properties, metal siding can divert the UV rays away from your home and save you money on air conditioning bills.
Metal siding is extremely durable, endures any weather condition, and resists warping, cracking, and corroding. Its ability to withstand heavy thunderstorms and high-speed winds makes it the toughest material on the market.
Save More, Pay Less
It is possible to improve the energy efficiency in your home while performing stylish renovation projects because of the modern building materials available.
Standard projects such as new siding, new windows, radiant heat flooring, roof replacement, and an insulation makeover can help you reduce energy costs if professionally done with innovative materials.
Skylar Ross is a contributor to the Innovative Building Materials blog. He is a content writer for the construction and home improvement industries with an interest in landscaping, outdoor remodeling, and interior design. Skylar is focused on educating homeowners, contractors, and architects on innovative materials and methods of construction that increase property value, improve sustainability, and create a warm and welcoming ambiance.