Last Updated on December 13, 2022 by Showrooms Online
Home Energy Retrofits, where to start
Home Energy Retrofits, where to start? If you’re interested in making your home more energy efficient, the first step is figuring out where to start. Energy retrofits can be complicated and intimidating. Follow these steps and you’ll be well on your way toward saving money and reducing your carbon footprint:
Start with the basics
What’s the first step of any home energy retrofit project? Understanding your home’s current energy use.
This is where a home energy assessment is essential. It’s a professional analysis that measures how much electricity, natural gas or propane you use. Also, where and when you use it, and how you can reduce your usage.
When you hire an energy adviser, they will be able to tell you exactly what upgrades would be the most effective for reducing your monthly utility bills. They’ll also be able to explain different options available to reduce heating/cooling costs by recommending add-ons like solar panels. The results of this analysis will give you insight into ways that a homeowner can improve insulation levels. Save money while staying comfortable year round!
Look at your budget
Home Energy Retrofits, where to start?
When you’re thinking about making a home energy retrofit, start with your budget. Your first look is how much money you would be able to spend for this project, and then look at the other related and additional costs that might be involved. Look at your most recent electricity bills and see how much money you spend on electricity each month. Next, review the construction methods used in building your home and try to determine where there may be areas that would benefit from additional insulation or sealing.
Look into any tax incentives or rebates available in your area for energy-efficient renovations. Many utilities offer rebates when homeowners purchase certain products like solar panels or high-efficiency furnaces; these grants can reduce upfront costs by up to half while also lowering monthly utility bills down the road. Finally: make sure that you know exactly what an energy audit is before proceeding further along this path (and don’t forget about those blower door tests).
Prioritize projects by potential impact
As you begin to prioritize projects, remember that the most effective energy retrofits are ones that will have the biggest impact on your home’s comfort and efficiency. Your first priority should be to address any problems with air leakage, insulation, and ductwork (if applicable). These improvements can make your home’s performance dramatically better — but they are also among the easiest and often least expensive options available.
After improving these areas of your home’s envelope, consider other projects:
- Focus on projects that will save you money over time. For example, replacing an inefficient water heater or furnace can significantly reduce monthly bills for heating or cooling.
- Explore ways in which you can create a more comfortable living space by upgrading appliances or adding new windows or doors.
- Go renewable! Installing solar panels could start paying off from day one.
Reach out to neighbors and friends who have already done work and learn from their experiences
The best way to learn about the process and find out what to expect is by talking with someone who’s been through it. Reach out to friends and neighbors who have already done work on their homes, ask them what they might do differently, what worked well, etc.. Listen carefully as they share their insight!
Once you’ve got the basic information down from talking with others who have gone through this process before, it’s time for a little research into what specific projects might make sense for your home or situation.
Energy and building science can be complicated, but there are great resources out there.
- There are many resources out there, so it’s important to keep learning.
- The Internet is an incredible source of information on energy efficiency and building science. You can you need to hire an energy adviser and a contractor who has experience in this area.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a way to save on energy costs and protect the planet, home retrofits are one of the best options. The process can seem daunting at first, but with careful planning and research, you’ll be able to make smart decisions about what projects are right for your home.
