With summertime fast approaching, everyone’s got energy (and energy bill) on their mind. How can you conserve energy and cut your monthly costs? Here are a few suggestions to help you create a sustainable summer!
WINDOWS
One of the best places to start creating a more energy-efficient home is to look at your windows, especially in an older home. For more energy-efficient options, you’ll want windows that are not made of wood so you don’t have to deal with dry rot or having to regularly paint them. If the windows are made of a polyurethane or metal, the material will usually come in various colors, which means you don’t ever have to paint them again, making the windows inherently lower maintenance. One of the number one complaints I hear about older houses is that they have single-pane windows, and you can feel the heat escaping. The old-fashioned wooden windows swell with weather conditions (hot and cold) and they’re not the most comfortable options for everyday living. Most newer windows are double-paned, providing better insulation for heat and cold than older windows. Just by swapping out your windows, you could save as much as 30% to 50% on your energy bill.
UV TINTING
Modern windows today come with different degrees of UV tinting built into the glass; they’re not only more energy-efficient but also block damaging rays from ruining your furniture and artwork.
DOORS
Years ago, people used to install wooden French doors, which were always getting weather-beaten or dry rotted and you’d have to paint them all the time, so there was a lot of maintenance involved. When you put in newer doors, they usually have some sort of seal element around them for insulation to prevent drafts of air going in or out. This increases energy efficiency by preventing drafts and gaps that you might find in more traditional doors.
ROOF INSULATION
New roof insulation will help keep your home at a comfortable balanced temperature (not too hot in the summer, not too cold in the winter), which will help reduce your energy bills. You can also seal any air leaks to ensure your roof protects in every kind of weather.
HVAC SYSTEM UPDATE
Updating your HVAC system, (new heaters, vents, air conditioners and more), to high energy-efficient options can also significantly reduce your yearly energy costs.
LED LIGHT BULBS
This is an easy one! Swapping out your incandescent bulbs with LED bulbs can reduce your energy costs by as much as 80%. You also will have to replace them less often, which means they’re great for easy home maintenance, too.
SPRINKLER SYSTEM
Steve and I just installed a new Orbit B-hyve sprinkler system at our property in Los Olivos and it’s an energy-efficiency game-changer! You can control the functionality of the sprinklers from an app on your phone, and the system monitors weather to determine optimal usage. For instance, if there’s incoming rain, the sprinklers will turn off and based on the amount of rain, they’ll automatically turn back on when the lawn needs watering. Also on the topic of irrigation, make sure you have your sprinkler heads and lines checked for leaks, over-spray and rodents that can chew regulator water lines and drip lines to access water. An efficiency check and tune-up can save a lot of money on water bills. Also, old-school rain bird-style sprinklers waste so much water when compared with finer spray water-wise models currently available, so consider making a swap to keep your sprinkler system as efficient as possible!
Let me know if you try any of the above cost-saving measures or get in touch if you’d like even more tips. Let’s make this a sustainable, energy-efficient summertime together!
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Andrew Manning • REALTOR® • Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties • DRE: 00941825 • 818-380-2147 • andrew@andrewmanning.com