Energy efficiency is on everyone’s minds these days, whether they are looking for a new home or making improvements to the one they live in now. Some of these upgrades require significant investments of time and energy, and it may be necessary to have a profession do the work. Some are quick, easy fixes that may not have occurred to you earlier. Still others add a unique design element family and friends will comment on for years to come.
Here are four DIY projects you can complete in a few hours or over a weekend to increase your home’s energy efficiency, decrease your energy bill, and give yourself a huge sense of accomplishment.
Replace the Weatherstripping
Worn down or damaged weatherstripping on your windows and exterior doors can be a source of significant air loss in your home. Your HVAC unit will try to make up for that loss, but having to do that will use extra energy and can send your energy bills through the roof. Check your doors and windows to make sure the weatherstripping is in good repair. Fortunately, this material is readily available and relatively easy to replace.
Shop Weather Stripping Kits for your entryway.
Switch Out Your Incandescent Light Bulbs
Although traditional incandescent light bulbs are no longer being manufactured, there are still many people using them in light fixtures around their home. It may seem like a cost-saving measure, but those light bulbs use a ton of energy and you may be paying more to use them each year than you would to replace them with what is currently on the market. Current energy-efficient options include halogen incandescents, compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), and light-emitting diodes (LEDs).
Visit the US Department of Energy’s website for more information on these options and which could be best for you and your household.
Upgrade to Low-E Glass Inserts
Replacing old door glass inserts with energy-efficient options is a popular trend in home renovations. These glass inserts have an invisible film that reflects radiant heat. This allows for heat to be trapped inside during the winter but reflect it away during the summer. Either way, you’re saving energy.
Shop Low-E Energy Efficient Glass Insert options for your home.
Old Ladder = New Drying Rack
Dryers, especially older models, can be energy hogs. They can also unnecessarily heat up your home during summer days and nights that are hot enough on their own. Investing in a laundry drying rack will reduce the amount of energy your dryer uses and lower your cooling costs at the same time. While drying racks are available in some stores, you can turn items around your house – like that old ladder no one wants to use anymore – into one quickly and easily.
Or, if you do not have an old ladder, check out these Pinterest boards for more ways to create a DIY drying rack that fits your space.
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