Save Money on Energy Costs at Home Year Round
Posted on: 11 May 2017
As a homeowner, you're likely always looking for ways to save money on power. Replacing your HVAC system with a newer model can make a positive difference, but it isn't the only home update option available to you. Consider implementing the following ideas to save money on energy costs year round:
Invest in New Trees
Planting a couple new trees in your yard will save you quite a bit of money on energy costs as time goes on -- and may even increase your property value by up to 20 percent overall. Trees act as windbreaks and will protect your home from chills in the winter so you don't have to rely on your heater as much. During the summer, they'll shade your home from the sun so the air conditioner doesn't have to be used as often to keep things cool inside.
Plant your new trees near windows that tend to get direct sunlight during the day. If you're planting baby trees, make sure you know how big they'll get upon maturity. Then make sure to plant them far enough away from your house so their branches won't hover over the roof and cause damage if they fall off after growing to full size.
Consider buying fruit trees so you can benefit from free food throughout the year. Deciduous trees such as the black maple and Eastern cottonwood are also a good choice because they lose their leaves in the winter, which allows the sun to heat things up, and they tend to be full of leaves in the summer, which offers excellent shade from the sun.
Update Your Windows
An excellent way to improve the energy efficiency of your household and save some money on air conditioning and heating expenses throughout the year is to update your windows. Start by replacing any older windows with Energy Star certified options. With new Energy Star windows installed, you'll also reduce the greenhouse emissions that your family is responsible for producing and protect your home's floors, walls, and furniture from damage due to harmful UV rays.
Once your new Energy Star windows are installed, you can further improve heat loss and gain throughout your home year round by applying insulation solar film to them. This type of film will enhance the benefits and features of your Energy Star windows. It will also give you an opportunity to create a custom look since it comes in a variety of colors and designs. Just rub the solar film onto your windows and peel them off when you want to make a change later down the line.
Check out the selection at your local shop or try searching on http://glasshopperaurora.com.
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