4 Easy Ways You Can Energy Proof Your Home in Jacksonville

Published: September 01, 2022

If you’re relocating to a new house, you might be asking whether or not it’s worth it to finance energy-efficient home improvements. However, several low-cost and simple techniques can help you attain your energy reduction goals. Here are some examples:

Ensure the walls and attic are well-insulated

Insulating houses use less heating and cooling energy since they are more comfortable. Cellulose blown into the frame or loose-fill foam sprayed between roof joists (also known as open-cell spray foam) may be used to fill the empty framed cavity. It is simple to insulate your home’s walls, whether you hire someone to blow cellulose into the vacant frame area or have a plumber install it for you.

Consider adding rigid foam insulation to the outside walls and/or rafters or joists if you like manual labor. To minimize chemical exposure and enhance your health and the environment, use low-VOC or non-toxic insulating materials.

Add weatherstripping to your doors and windows

By weatherstripping the gaps around your doors and windows, you’re saving money on energy bills in the future and preventing your heating and cooling equipment from working unnecessarily hard. In other words, it keeps wasted energy to a minimum. Regular door and window-gapping (weatherstripping) saves money and prevents these leaks from happening.

You may also want to consider installing Low-E window film or adding storm windows to your home’s windows to improve their energy efficiency.

Make use of passive solar design features

There are many simple and inexpensive passive solar design solutions accessible, including south-facing windows that flood the space with light throughout the winter and overhangs that block the sun in the summer.

During the day, you may utilize your windows and skylight to provide natural light while providing serenity and quietness at night. These might assist you in saving money on utility expenses by lowering the amount of artificial lighting and cooling/heating systems utilized, making your home more pleasant all year long.

Install a programmable thermostat

If you have a programmable thermostat, you may save money on your energy bills by lowering the temperature for certain times of day or week. For example, while you’re away from home or sleeping, reduce it, and then raise it as soon as you wake up or return home.

This way, you’re not paying to heat or cool an empty house, yet your home will be comfortable and energy-efficient when you return.

In the end, there are various simple and cheap ways to make your new home more energy efficient, ranging from basic insulation and weatherstripping techniques to passive solar design features and programmable thermostats. You can use these ideas in the near term and in the long run to ensure that your property is both nice and functional.

For more tips on moving and storing your belongings, check out the UNITS Moving and Portable Storage of Jacksonville blog!