4 Easy Ways You Can Energy Proof Your Home in Kansas City

Published: October 01, 2022

If you’re relocating to a new house, you might wonder if it’s worth paying for energy-efficient upgrades. However, simple and low-cost methods exist to meet your energy reduction goals. For example:

Ensure the walls and attic are well-insulated

Not only are well-insulated homes more comfortable to live in, but they also use less energy for heating and cooling. To fill the empty framed cavity, cellulose blown into the frame or loose-fill foam sprayed between roof joists (also known as open-cell spray foam) may be used. You can easily insulate your home’s walls by either hiring someone to blow cellulose into the vacant frame area or having a plumber install it for you.

If you enjoy doing tasks like this, consider adding rigid foam insulation to the outside walls and/or rafters or joists. Use low-VOC or non-toxic insulating materials to decrease chemical exposure and improve your health and the environment.

Add weatherstripping to your doors and windows

Weatherstripping the gaps between your doors and windows not only helps you save money on heating and cooling energy bills in the future but also prevents your equipment from overworking. To put it another way, it reduces wasted energy. Door-and-window-gapping (weatherstripping) can help you avoid these leaks on a regular basis.

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

In winter, you can install south-facing windows to let in natural light. In the summer, add overhangs to block out the sun.

During the day, you may use your windows and skylight to provide natural light while also providing serenity and silence at night. These might help you save money on utility expenses by lowering the amount of fake lighting and cooling/heating systems used, making your home more pleasant all year.

Install a programmable thermostat

With a programmable thermostat, you can also lower your home’s temperature at chosen intervals throughout the day or week. For example, reduce the temperature when you’re out of the house or asleep, and as soon as you wake up or come back home, raise it again.

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

Weatherstripping and insulation aren’t only cheap ways to make your home look nicer, but they’ll also function better and save you money in the long haul. If you want to take things a step further, you can use passive solar design features and programmable thermostats too. Improving energy efficiency has never been easier!

For more tips on moving and storing your belongings, make sure to check out the UNITS Moving and Portable Storage of Kansas City blog!