4 Easy Ways You Can Energy Proof Your Home in Southeast Massachusetts

Published: August 01, 2022

If you’re moving to a new home, you might wonder whether or not to finance energy-efficient home modifications. However, various low-cost and easy strategies can help you achieve your energy savings objectives. Here are some examples:

Ensure the walls and attic are well insulated

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

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

Weatherstripping your door and window gaps helps you save money on your energy bills in the long run and prevents your heating and cooling equipment from needing to work extra hard, resulting in wasted energy. Door and window gaps weather stripped will help you save money over time by preventing these leaks.

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

Several simple and inexpensive passive solar design solutions are accessible, ranging from south-facing windows that flood the space with light throughout the winter to 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.

Install a programmable thermostat

If you have a programmable thermostat, you may save money on your energy expenses by adjusting the temperature for specific times of day or week. For example, you could lower it while you’re away from home or sleeping and 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.

Overall, there are several simple and low-cost options for making your new house more energy efficient, from basic insulation and weatherstripping measures to passive solar design elements and programmable thermostats. In the near term and the long run, you may use these methods to ensure that your property is both pleasant and effective.

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