Everyone wants their home to be energy efficient, but it can be challenging to know what you can do that will make a real difference. Fortunately, with the guidance of the EPA's ENERGY STAR program, you can get some great ideas that are guaranteed to improve the comfort and value of your home while lowering your costs. With the unpredictable Georgia climate, you need peace of mind knowing your home is secure from the elements and using energy efficiently. Here are five ways you can improve your home and make it more energy efficient.

  1. Sealing Air Leaks and Adding Insulation

Before you do anything else, the most important element of making your home more efficient is to guarantee nothing is leaking in or out. Bringing a home performance expert in for an evaluation can help you determine if you have leaky walls, windows, doors, or roof, check your insulation levels, and identify areas you can improve. If your home isn't sealed tight, you could be watching your energy bills skyrocket, so finding a professional to inspect and address any leaks in your home should be your first priority.

  1. Improving Heating and Cooling System

Do you have a system that is older than 10 years, is constantly turning on and off, needing frequent repair, and costing you a fortune in bills? It's time to look into a replacement. A qualified expert can help you determine if it's time to invest in a new ENERGY STAR system, help you identify any duct sealing, insulation, or air sealing measures, and show you the best ways to operate it for maximum efficiency and comfort!

  1. Upgrading Lighting, Appliances, and Water Heating Equipment

Want to know where a lot of your utility bill can come from? Appliances like these are often the culprit, and the older they get, the more they cost you. Fortunately, there are hundreds of ENERGY STAR approved appliances, lighting, equipment, and electronics, and they can save you money just by using them. If you think your aging lights and appliances may be contributing to a high utility bill, it may be time to invest in a replacement.

  1. Replacing Windows

Windows are extremely important to your energy efficiency efforts, and having old, drafty windows could be costing you hundreds on your utility bill every year. Having an inspection to check your window systems for leaks and damage is the first step to knowing if it is time to replace them with efficient fiberglass windows that won't warp, leak, or need replacement. Investing in beautiful fiberglass windows will make your home more comfortable, beautiful, and valuable!

  1. Installing Renewable Energy Systems

If you've completed these other energy efficiency methods, you may be ready to look into renewable energy solutions for your home. A home solar electric system is an investment in your future that will forever limit your reliance on external energy sources and pay for itself year after year. There are many different factors to consider before investing in a home solar electric system, but starting the process will help you determine if it's a feasible way for your home to become more energy efficient.

While you have many options to improve your home through energy efficient upgrades, the best place to start is with an expert home energy audit from North Georgia Replacement Windows. Our team will assess every aspect of your home's energy network and help make recommendations for how you can improve the efficiency of your home, like replacing old windows with INFINITY from Marvin fiberglass windows, or installing new insulation. Have questions about how you can make your home more energy efficient? NG Windows can help you understand your options. Come by and visit us at our showroom at 11460 Maxwell Road, Alpharetta, GA 30009, or give us a call at 770.888.1604 to schedule a free consultation!