Heading into 2023, energy efficiency remains all the rage as homeowners look for ways to lower their utility bills and do their part to slow the effects of climate change. While many energy-saving efforts begin with solar panels, PV glass, and other types of technology–all wonderful–that create clean energy, there are some more standard energy-saving tricks that may get overlooked by some people. With this in mind, keep reading for 5 smart energy saving ideas that can help you get the New Year started right!
1. Improve the Insulation
Although many homeowners understand that insulation is an important aspect of creating an energy efficient building, few realize the various ways in which you can insulate your structure as we enter 2023. Modern insulation is far more than simple fiberglass batts for the walls and blow-in cellulose fibers for the attic. Some other means of insulation include:
- Insulated concrete forms (ICF) framing to help prevent air transfer at the foundational level
- Polyiso exterior wall insulation to help eliminate any thermal bridges immediately beneath the cladding
- Roof cover board to fortify any leaks that may develop in a roofing material
- Below grade insulation to help prevent air escaping through the floor
As you can see, contemporary insulation is an extremely holistic endeavor. Since air will follow the path of least resistance and ultimately find any vulnerabilities in your building envelope, acting on any of these next-level insulation ideas will significantly reduce your energy consumption next year.
2. Increase the Window Area
The most energy efficient homes are increasing their window surface to allow the transmission of more natural light. This allows homeowners to keep the artificial lights shut off during the day. The most innovative windows will use low-e or smart glass to better control heat radiation during the hot summer months while still allowing light waves to pass through. One important factor to keep in mind if you plan on adding window area to your home: the transitions between the walls and window frames are one of the first places that act as a thermal bridge, so be sure that all such transitions are effectively sealed to prevent air transfer.
3. Perform a Siding Upgrade
Siding is one of the home’s components that is directly put to the test by the forces of nature. Inferior vinyl products become brittle and crack in the face of inclement weather, while natural wood and brick must be regularly sealed to maintain their moisture resistance. In each of these scenarios, air and moisture will breach the building envelope and start moving in undesirable ways.
Fortunately, there are many innovative siding solutions that are not easily compromised. Heavy duty products such as steel log and fiber cement maintain an impervious barrier against air and moisture transfer for a minimum of 50 years. For areas that receive more precipitation, modern rainscreen siding solutions provide a built-in air barrier that allows moisture to escape before mold and rot can form, protecting the structural integrity of your home’s walls in the face of heavy rainfall.
4. Use Exterior Window Treatments Effectively
Many homeowners understand the importance of interior window treatments, such as blinds, curtains, and drapes, for mitigating sunlight. However, for homes that are using increased window area to leverage natural sunlight, these interior treatments often are not enough. As a result, it is important to combine interior treatments with exterior treatments to form a complete sun mitigation system. Exterior screen facades, attached pergolas, and custom awnings are just a few ways to help slow the amount of sun radiation reaching your house while still allowing natural light flow. In addition, many of these exterior window treatments are designed in fashionable ways that can give your home a boost in curb appeal upon installation.
5. Choose Low Maintenance Flooring
An underrated aspect of creating an energy efficient home is choosing materials that do not require a lot of energy to maintain. This concept begins with the flooring, as carpet sucks energy every time you run the vacuum or break out the shampooer. In addition, carpet wears out much quicker than more resilient flooring options, so you will inevitably have to use more energy for repairs and replacement. By choosing flooring materials such as engineered hardwood or polished concrete, you are guaranteeing durable floors in your home that withstand significant wear and tear. They also require next to no energy to maintain, as they are easily cleaned with a broom or wet mop.
Be Smart This New Year With These 5 Energy Saving Ideas
There are many exciting innovations in the realm of PV technology and clean energy that can help homeowners save on energy consumption. However, despite these advances, it is important not to overlook the meat and potatoes of what makes a truly energy efficient home. To this effect, improved insulation, increased window area, upgraded siding, exterior window treatments, and low maintenance flooring are 5 great ideas for saving energy as we head into 2023.
Article written by Susan Holmes. Susan Holmes is a freelance writer for the environmental industry. Susan is focused on helping fellow homeowners, contractors, and architects discover materials and methods of construction that increase property value, maximize energy savings, and turn houses into homes. Susan’s work as a freelance writer can be found on Building Product Advisor, a new construction industry resource launching in Fall 2022.