When preparing to make your home more energy efficient, it is important to understand where residential energy comes from and how it is consumed. The five primary categories of consumption include heating, cooling, water heaters, lighting, and appliances.
With that in mind, common starting points are replacing inefficient lightbulbs with ENERGY STAR LED bulbs and replacing outdated appliances with ENERGY STAR certified machines.
Next, consider the parts of the building that act as barriers to the outside world – the building envelope. This includes exterior walls, windows, skylights, and floors. The building envelope has a massive impact on energy efficiency as it can help prevent the transfer of heat in or out of the space. By preventing drafts and uneven temperatures, a good building envelope improves both the comfort and potentially the health of occupants.