While most of the costs associated with home ownership are fairly fixed, you can have a degree of control over your utility bills. One of the things you can do to help lower your costs is to update your home to be more energy efficient. Energy-efficient home improvements can help cut down on costs for utilities and other bills long-term. This will help reduce your overall impact on the environment and boost the resale value of your home when that time comes. Here are 3 energy-efficient home improvements and ways to be more sustainable.

Use Your Ceiling Fans

A beautiful ceiling fan not only looks good but it can help you improve your home’s energy efficiency. It circulates air in a room which can help it feel cooler by creating a wind chill effect in the home. A ceiling fan can also increase the effectiveness of your air conditioning while reducing the amount of energy needed to keep your house at a comfortable temperature. For best results, make sure any ceiling fans are rotating counterclockwise in the summer for cooling and clockwise in the winter for distributing heat.

Reduce Drafts

Drafts in your home reduce your home’s ability to heat or cool itself effectively by allowing temperate indoor air to escape outside. In order to reduce the air loss, identify what areas are causing the most problems. The windows and doors are commonly considered culprits. Leaks here can amount to 10-25% of your total heating bill. The attic, a fireplace with the damper left open, and even recessed lighting can be the source of drafts in your home. Concerned about drafts? Walk around your home with a lit candle. If the flame flickers or goes out, you’ve probably found an area with a draft.

Energy Star Appliances

Outdated appliances can be energy vampires, sucking power even while you aren’t using them and pull even more power when you are. Energy star-rated appliances are more environmentally friendly and use less power than others. This can translate into savings on your power bill. Electronics make up 14% of your electricity bill on average, which includes your appliances. Before you buy, research on which brands have earned the Energy Star seal of approval.

Energy-efficient home improvements are a great way to improve your home. You can use fans to boost your home’s air conditioning, find ways to reduce drafts, and install energy star appliances. These upgrades can help you lower the cost of utilities and make your home a more comfortable place to be.

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