Brought To You By Idaho Elite Inspection Team
Spring is in the air, bringing with it the impulse to make home renovations. Are you looking for ways to upgrade your home with the environment in mind, but worried about the expense? Fortunately, many home improvements are not as costly upfront as they used to be, and the return on those investments — both in energy savings and your home’s value — is well worth the effort.
Here are five ways to boost your home’s energy efficiency and make a difference for the planet.
Choose Energy Star Certified Products
Have outdated appliances that aren’t performing well? For an efficiency upgrade, look for the blue Energy Star label on products ranging from appliances and electronics to lighting and HVAC systems as a simple way to save money and conserve energy, which helps fight climate change. You can even find Energy Star windows, which can make a difference in the comfort of your home as well as lowering overall energy costs. For added value, appliances with the Energy Star “Most Efficient” designation highlights products delivering cutting-edge energy efficiency along with cutting-edge technological innovations.
Update Your HVAC
Spring is a good time to have a professional tune-up your HVAC system to ensure peak performance and help prevent future problems. Heating and cooling cost the average homeowner about $875 a year, according to the EPA’s Energy Star website. If you’re still using a furnace for heat and a separate AC unit for cooling — or worse, an outdated system that relies on fossil fuels — it may be time to upgrade to something more advanced and efficient. Now, manufacturers such as LG offer a wide range of HVAC systems that offer both heating and cooling in a single unit, without sacrificing energy efficiency.
For times of the year like spring and fall where you may be on either end of the temperature spectrum, this type of system that can both heat and cool can be particularly beneficial. For year-round comfort and efficiency, new technologies like LGRED (Reliable to Extreme Degrees) work well even if you live in the most extreme climates. Each unit in this product line can handle cooling for very hot temperatures of up to 118F (where a conventional AC system may fail), as well as heating for very cold temperatures. In fact, products with LGRED offer 100% heating capacity performance down to 5F and continuous heating operation down to –13F.
Go Solar
You’ve heard about solar for years, but now may be the perfect time to switch to renewable energy. Solar energy can help power your home, saving hundreds of dollars in utility bills while also boosting your home’s value and providing peace of mind about helping the environment.
Considering installing solar panels, but don’t know where to start? Now you can figure out what your home needs through a digital “solar concierge,” which can help you explore technology and financing decisions tailored to your situation. The solar concierge program from LG helps you determine whether going solar will meet your objectives and, if it does, how to get your installation fulfilled by a local installer. And remember that not all solar panels are created equal; it’s best to go with high-efficiency panels from a brand you know and trust.
“My wife and I are first-time home buyers, so the entire process is completely new and unknown to us. However, after speaking with Jodi and setting up a home inspection, I felt that we had immediately made the best choice for our home inspection. She was very easy to talk to and answered all of our questions, even going as far as making sure we knew what we were getting ourselves into so that we were far more confident with the process. From there, we easily set up a time for the inspection and had Jim perform the inspection. Let me just say- he did such an amazing job!!! Even with the ZERO experience I have, I can say that he was very thorough and honest with his inspection and the report. He explained everything so simply an straightforward that we almost had no questions at the end of the walkthrough. The report was perfectly detailed and categorized for us, as well as the accessibility and pictures attached were very professional. From start to finish, this company is who I would use every single time. Thank you again for helping us and making this process better!!!” – Review of Idaho Elite Inspection Team By Zach Smith
Reduce Air Leaks And Check The Insulation
Sealing air leaks and adding insulation can help increase comfort and energy efficiency, and may provide up to a 10% savings on your annual energy bills, according to the EPA. Pay special attention to preventing air leaks (with simple foam insulation) when installing your window air conditioner for the summer.
Simple fixes include installing weather-stripping on doors and caulking around windows, while bigger jobs include sealing leaks and adding insulation in your attic. Replacing aging windows and doors that are not energy efficient and that may have cracks or leaks will improve your home’s energy efficiency. Another upside? Brand new doors and windows can instantly increase your home’s curb appeal.
Upgrade Your Bathroom Plumbing Fixtures
For older toilets, sinks, or showerheads in your bathroom, upgrading to newer models can help save on your water bill, while also wasting a lot less water. Generally, today’s bathroom fixtures use less water, which is more eco-friendly. Any improvements or upgrades made to your bathroom can also help boost your home’s value.
Don’t know what to tackle first? Many energy or utility companies will offer homeowners a free energy audit. An expert comes to your home to determine the worst culprits in reducing your energy efficiency and air leakage around your house. This can help you target your improvements to achieve the best results in the quickest, most cost-effective way. Your home will feel more comfortable, and you’ll know you’re doing what you can to help the environment. (BPT)
If you or someone you know is purchasing a home and needs a quality home inspector in Idaho Falls, ID, be sure to give Idaho Elite Inspection Team a call (208) 268-8350 Today or Click To Schedule Online 24/7 Right From Our Website.
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The decision to buy a home is probably the most important one you will ever make. With all of the time, energy, and money you will invest, it’s important to be sure the home you buy is sound. Our team provides home inspection services that will ensure the safety and peace of mind of our clients – home buyers and sellers and real estate professionals.
We are the Idaho Elite Inspection Team, and we provide comprehensive property inspections to homeowners in Idaho Falls and nearby areas. Our inspectors are highly-trained and experienced professionals who will provide a detailed, accurate report of the property’s condition, from the foundation to the roof. Because your peace of mind is our business, Idaho Elite Inspection Team gives you the most confidence when making one of the biggest investments of your life – your home.
Call us today at (208) 268-8350 to schedule your inspection, or Click to Schedule Online Right From Our Website.