Homeowners who are spending more money on energy today than ever before are not alone. As of 2024, energy prices appear to be stabilizing, but periods of high demand always lead to spikes in cost.
Energy efficiency improvements made to Wisconsin homes can lower energy bills and make homes more comfortable year-round. Fortunately, homeowners have a few ways to initiate energy savings this year and for many years to come.
Home Insulation: The First Step to Energy Savings
While replacing a home’s HVAC system can improve its efficiency, it is still possible to waste money on heating and cooling costs if the home is under insulated, because without proper air sealing and insulation the heat will escape from the living quarters into the attic and out through the roof. Insulation helps keep outdoor temperatures out of the home year-round, helping homeowners and their families stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer. The furnace or air conditioner in a well-insulated home will not need to run as often or as long to maintain a comfortable temperature, which leads to savings on energy bills every month.
Advanced Air Sealing Techniques
Similar to insulation, a home with lots of cracks, holes, and air leaks in its exterior structure will waste energy by allowing outdoor air to enter and conditioned air to escape through the roof and walls. Air sealing closes any existing holes and minimizes energy waste, and in many cases, it increases the effectiveness of a home’s insulation as well.
Air sealing and insulating your home at the same time is a great approach for saving money. In fact, the average homeowner in the Milwaukee-area climate zone can reduce heating and cooling bills by nearly 20 percent per year by implementing these upgrades.
Identifying and Sealing Common Air Leaks
Identifying and sealing common air leaks is an important step in improving energy efficiency and maintaining indoor comfort in a home. Air leaks can contribute to heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer, leading to higher energy bills. The best way to identify air leaks is by investing in a thorough inspection carried out by a professional inspector. Every home has its unique quirks, but, in general, to identify air leaks, an inspector or homeowner should:
- Inspect windows and doors to check for gaps by looking for daylight and feeling for drafts.
- Inspect the weatherstripping to look for wear and damage.
- Examine exterior openings where different building materials meet, such as along corners, siding joints, and where the foundation meets the walls.
- Check for gaps around utility line installations, such as around pipes, vents, and electrical conduits.
- Check for gaps around attic access doors and hatches.
- Inspect the areas where the chimney passes through the ceiling and out the roof.
- Inspect electrical outlet and switch cover plates to check for gaps.
- Check for air drafts around electrical boxes.
- Inspect joints and connections in the heating and air conditioning ductwork.
- Inspect the fireplace damper to ensure it closes tightly when the fireplace isn’t in use.
- Check for gaps between baseboards, crown molding, and walls.
After finding air leaks, the next step is identifying the best way to seal them. Some air leaks can be sealed with caulk or new weatherstripping, while other leaks may require more extensive sealing procedures with foam sealant, energy home insulation, or gaskets.
By identifying and sealing common air leaks, homeowners can improve energy efficiency, reduce utility bills, and enhance indoor comfort. Regular inspections and maintenance are essential to keep a home’s envelope well-sealed and insulated.
How a Home Performance Assessment Works
A home performance assessment, also known as a home energy audit, is a comprehensive evaluation of a home’s energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and overall performance. The assessment is designed to identify areas where energy is being wasted and to recommend improvements to enhance the home’s efficiency.
Professionals hired to conducts a home performance assessment should be experienced in identifying air leaks, assessing a home’s insulation, and creating plans for a homeowner to improve the space’s efficiency, which ultimately leads to the homeowner saving on electric and gas (if applicable) bill charges. In addition to evaluating the home to recommend improvements for energy savings, the assessment should include an inspection to determine any inefficiencies that could present safety hazards, such as areas with moisture build up or issues with the home’s ventilation.
Innovative Solutions for Heating and Cooling Efficiency
Innovative solutions to improve heating and cooling efficiency are crucial for reducing energy consumption, lowering utility costs, and minimizing the environmental impact of a home’s operation. Investing in upgraded technology for a home’s heating and cooling system can have a big impact on energy bills as well as the complete environmental footprint of the home. Some innovative but effective upgrades may include:
- Geothermal heat pumps that use the stable temperature of the earth to efficiently heat a home in winter
- Solar thermal systems that capture sunlight to produce heat, which can be used for space heating or heating water in a home
- Smart thermostats and advanced heating and cooling controls that use sensors and algorithms to optimize heating and cooling schedules based on occupancy and external weather conditions, making it easy to save on heating for a home
- Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) systems that provide precise control over a home’s cooling by adjusting the refrigerant flow to different zones in the home
- Evaporative cooling systems that use the natural cooling effect of water evaporation to cool the air in a home
- Cool roofing materials that reflect more sunlight and absorb less heat, reducing the need for air conditioning in a home
However, implementing these innovative solutions requires careful consideration of the specific characteristics and needs of the building. Integrated approaches that combine multiple technologies often provide the most effective results in achieving optimal heating and cooling efficiency and lowering a home’s energy bill.
Practical Tips to Reduce Energy Usage Daily
In addition to upgrading the technology that heats and cools a home, improving the home’s insulation, and addressing air leaks, families need to address several detrimental habits and behaviors that impact a home’s energy usage, such as:
- Lighting: Switch to energy efficient LED bulbs, turn off lights when leaving a room, and make use of natural light during the day.
- Appliances and Electronics: Unplug appliances and electronics that are not in use, upgrade to energy efficient appliances, and use power strips that are easy to turn on and off when they are not in use.
- Heating and Cooling: Use programmable thermostats that are set at reasonable temperatures, schedule regular maintenance for HVAC systems, and lower the temperature setting on the hot water heater.
- Laundry and Dishwashing: Wash clothes in cold water and hang to dry and let dishes air dry dishes instead of using the heat dry setting on a dishwasher.
By incorporating these practical tips into your daily routine, you can make a significant impact on reducing energy consumption and promoting a more sustainable and cost-effective lifestyle for years to come.
Wisconsin Home Improvement Energy Audits: Your Roadmap to Savings
So where should a homeowner start when evaluating insulation and potential air sealing problems? Additionally, how can someone determine which areas of a home need attention? A home performance audit conducted by trusted professionals, such as Wisconsin Home Improvement Co. LLC, is a great starting point.
Also known as a home energy audit, a home performance audit provides a complete efficiency assessment of a home. At Wisconsin Home Improvement, a team first conducts a visual inspection of the home, including the home’s exterior, attic, basement, and any crawlspaces. Experts then run different tests to find weaknesses in the structure, including:
- Blower door tests: This is a process that detects air leaks and drafts in a home to help homeowners identify opportunities for air sealing.
- Infrared thermal imaging: Infrared cameras can reveal the hidden parts of a home that have poor insulation or excessive energy loss that are not visible to the naked eye.
Along with the results of the audit, Wisconsin Home Improvement can make recommendations for the work that needs to be done to provide the most benefits for a home and result in the highest energy savings, including attic insulation, crawlspace insulation, and air sealing.
Learn how to save on your energy bill and keep costs low for years to come with upgraded insulation and air sealing. Contact the experts at Wisconsin Home Improvement today to schedule a home performance audit.
