7 Ways to Make Your Home More Energy-Efficient in the Winter

Typically, heating and cooling your home usually makes up half of your annual utility expenses. In winter, your utility expenses increase significantly because the heating units consume more energy.

Unit maintenance can help significantly in reducing excessive energy consumption. Optimizing the work efficiency of heating units is crucial to achieving a more energy-efficient unit.

The adverse effects of winter are apparent on the utility bills, which is why it's of the utmost importance to make your home energy-efficient in the winter. Here are some proven ways to achieve that goal.

Home Placement

When it comes to placement, one crucial factor to consider is to take advantage of sunlight. If you're planning on building a new home, it would be wise to position the house facing north to south. Doing this minimizes direct sunlight during summer and maximizes it during winter, saving you both on cooling and heating expenses.

Room zoning further improves the energy-efficiency of the home. For instance, rooms facing north receive the least amount of sunlight, so place rooms that don't require sunlight like your laundry room on the north side. Rooms facing south receive the most amount of sunlight, so place the living room or family rooms facing south. Rooms facing east are ideal for bedrooms and kitchen because they receive sunlight in the morning and cool off during the afternoon, and rooms facing west receive sunlight only during the afternoon.

Room Color

The lighter the paint color on the walls, the more it reflects sunlight. So with this in mind, rooms that receive direct sunlight through the day should have light-colored walls. Dark-colored walls should not be in direct sunlight.

Landscaping

Shrubs and trees must shade the side of the house that receives excessive sunlight. The landscaping design must include greeneries on the south and west sides of the house. When the leaves start to fall with the onset of winter, more sunlight passes through.

Monitor the Thermostat

Usually, the thermostat is set at a constant temperature the whole day regardless of the temperature outside. If the outside temperature is not close to the thermostat setting, the heating unit will have to work harder to achieve the set temperature. A noteworthy tip is to set the thermostat setting closer to the outside temperature and gradually adjust the setting to comfortable levels.

Properly Sealed Air Leaks

Air leaks might seem like an insignificant issue to be thinking about, but its potential consequences require attention. Excessive gaps in your home, especially during winter, allow cold outside air to enter and warm air to escape - heating units will have to work harder and longer.  Conduct a maintenance check on the windows, doors, drywall, and flooring, looking for gaps and seal them using quality caulking material.

Insulation

Replace old insulation. Ensure that you use the correct insulation rating needed for your house. Conduct a yearly inspection of your insulation and determine whether it is still in good shape. Tip - used insulation is considered good quality if it doesn't fall apart when touched.

Lighting Fixtures

Replace old, inefficient fluorescent or incandescent light bulbs with the modern LED light bulbs. LED light bulbs are generally more energy-efficient and typically last longer — about 10 to 15 years.

Even one change will make a difference.  Making multiple changes will quickly be reflected in monthly utility bills. 

For more information on energy-efficient custom homes, contact Grayson Homes at 919-578-6222.