Making your home as energy-efficient as possible is a wonderful goal, especially if you own an older home, but making these modifications can be quite expensive and not very affordable for a lot of homeowners. The following energy-saving fixtures can cost a homeowner with an average sized house tens-of-thousands of dollars.
So for some, the following may not be feasible to implement into their homes; however, for those who have deep pockets and want to reduce future energy costs, you may check out the latest devices and systems to do so.
For most homeowners, there is a long list of affordable upgrades that can be performed with little expense other than materials and the time it takes to install them. The most important component of an energy-efficient home is its insulation. Start by making sure that your home is well insulation by inspecting attic space to ensure there isn’t any gaps, then moving on to windows and doors to make sure they make an airtight seal when closed.
For those seeking the most modern innovations in energy-efficient home improvement, check out:
Solar shingles – this marvel of modern technology produces energy just like solar panels; however, these are fully integrated into the roof and don’t clash with a home’s design.
Home automation – an integrated home automation system can reduce energy usage by controlling almost anything in a home at the touch of a button or swipe of the finger. Everything inside the home, from lighting and fans, air conditioning, alarm systems, cameras, and an array of other appliances may be turned on, off, or manipulated via smartphone, tablet, or internet device. Unfortunately, the price tag is in the tens of thousands for a fully automated system.
Electrochromic windows – homeowners can now control the amount of light, heat, and glaze allowed into the home with window glass coated with layers of electrochromic materials. These can darken in response to a low-voltage charge, but when the charge is removed the windows become transparent. A homeowner can then enjoy the sun’s warm rays in the winter and avoid the ray’s heat in the summer. Depending on the project these type of windows may run $50 a square foot.
Geothermal heating and cooling – a geothermal pump employs the insulating properties of the earth to provide heating, cooling, and hot water for the home. Water or antifreeze flows in underground pipes, carrying heat throughout the home during the winter months. In the summertime, the system draws heat from the home transferring it to the earth. This modern solution to heating and cooling a home can run about $20,000 with a payback period of seven years.