Owning a home brings opportunities as well as responsibilities, including utility costs. Southwest Colorado has a small population of homes that are completely off-grid, but there are also many ways to retrofit your home to increase the energy efficiency.
Solar Power
Harnessing the sun’s natural energy through photovoltaic panels provides electricity for almost any home. Of course the amount of electricity created depends on the size and capacity of the solar panels; a solar contractor will evaluate your current usage and recommend a system based on that data.
Insulation
Proper insulation can drastically increase the energy efficiency of your home. Insulation is found in walls, attics, and crawlspaces and helps keep the cool air in and the hot air out or vice versa in the winter months. Adding insulation will decrease annual energy bills, and can provide sound barriers as well.
There are also different types of windows, dual panel tempered glass being the most frequently used. In comparison, single pane windows don’t insulate as well and allow heat in the summer, and cold air in the winter to enter the house, making your systems work harder and longer to keep your preferred air temperature. All windows can develop air leaks and drafts around the seals and should be checked annually and resealed/caulked as needed.
A Tight Seal
There are many seals between the interior and exterior of a home, including seals around windows, doors, garage doors, and chimney flues. Ensuring they keep a tight seal will aid in keeping the ideal environment within the home. Most doors include a rubber piece that creates the seal and can be replaced as needed. This is also an important part of wildfire safety and home readiness so embers won’t be able to enter the home through these small openings.
Appliances
Energy-Star is a familiar blue emblem that many appliances carry when they are certified as eco-friendly. Large appliances such as refrigerators, washers, dryers, water heaters, and air conditioning units use a lot of energy; using Energy-Star appliances and systems will significantly cut utility costs. Appliances need to meet the strict regulations to bear the Energy-Star logo as the company devotes vast research into helping reduce the amount of energy used in homes.
Lights
Perhaps one the most impactful DIY projects is to change light fixtures and light bulbs to LED. LED has become the industry standard and is now used in new construction, but these fixtures can be upgraded in most homes and also updates the look and feel of the space.
Smart Home Technology
Today, there are many options for smart home items such as door locks, security systems, and thermostats. Many of these items are automatically programmed to be as energy efficient as possible, and also offer remote access and hands-off control. Automatic lights that can be controlled through Google Home or Alexa allow you to turn off lights from afar.
There are many additional ways to increase the efficiency of your home and substantially decrease utility costs. Many of these home improvements add value to the home when it’s time to sell as well. Please don’t hesitate to contact The Durango Team with any questions about homeownership and taking advantage of the energy efficient opportunities available in Southwest Colorado.
