8 Biggest Energy-Efficient Home Improvements

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While some home improvements can be expensive to complete, many are cost-effective. The return on investment makes even costly ones worthwhile. A variety of financial incentives exist to help with this cost, including those offered by the federal government, state government, utility companies, and manufacturers. Check out the following list of energy-efficient home improvements that will ultimately save you big in the long term.

Seal leaking ducts. Up to 40 percent of the heated or cooled air in your home is wasted through leaks before reaching its intended location. Having your ducts professionally sealed costs around $750, but this cost can be offset in as little as two years.

Block any gaps or cracks around your doors and windows, as well as the corners of your house where exterior siding can gap and can let in cold winds. Exterior caulk and weather stripping are cheap, only around $20 for both, but have a considerable impact on the energy efficiency of your home.

Replace incandescent lightbulbs with LED bulbs. The initial cost of LED bulbs is higher, but its projected lifespan of 50,00 hours, compared to 1,200 of an incandescent, will save you money. LED bulbs also use around one-sixth of the energy that an incandescent bulb does, so your electric bill will decrease as soon as you replace them.

Install reflective window film. Sunlight hitting your windows heats a room quickly, causing your air conditioning to kick on and increasing your utility bills. A roll of 3-foot by 12-foot reflective window film costs a mere $25.

Use a retractable clothesline outside. A $20 clothesline allows you to hang your laundry to dry during nice weather, lessening your reliance on the dryer, a huge energy-sucker.

Switch to a low-flow showerhead. This type of showerhead has smaller holes, meaning you can maintain satisfactory water pressure while reducing water usage. It costs $65 or less, but conserves a great deal of energy and water resources.

Add insulation to the attic. Heat loss is the most severe in this area of your home. It costs only $200 to install a foot of insulation in a 500 square foot space. In addition to the savings on your utility bills, you can also qualify for a tax credit of 10 percent from the total cost of insulation.

Install storm windows. If you notice drafts in your home on windy days, storm windows can be installed for between $50 and $100 per window.

If you’re looking for an experienced contractor to help you plan your new home, Premier Builders has extensive experience handling custom home building projects. Contact us today if you are interested in maximizing the energy of a new or existing home.