Energy efficiency is back on the table as one of the most crucial property upgrades for homeowners across the country. It’s now more important than ever that you invest in ways that not only reduce how much energy your home consumes but also allow you to get off the grid as much as possible. With prices rising and experts warning that bills could continue to increase year-over-year, it’s critical that you consider making these top smart upgrades today.
What’s Causing the Energy Crisis?
There are many different factors that are causing the energy crisis in the US. While in Europe the energy price spikes are ultimately attributed to the war in Ukraine, in the US the issue is compounded. AI data centers are causing such massive spikes in energy usage that everyday Americans living nearby have seen increases of up to 267%, all because “demand is higher”. Slashes to green energy initiatives, inflation, tariffs, and a slowdown in transmission line and generator construction have all led to this new energy reality, and no, experts don’t expect it to go down any time soon.
Top Smart Home Upgrades to Ramp Up Your Home’s Energy Efficiency
So, what can you do? You can work to get off the grid as much as possible with these top smart home upgrades:
· New Windows and Doors
If your windows and doors have felt unbearably drafty in the past, it’s time to replace them. These areas are easily the most energy-inefficient in any home, but thanks to modern efficiency, you can now expect to save between 7 and 15% on your energy bills.
That being said, the cost of replacing the doors needs to make sense for your home. You’ll want to look into a reliable option like these Aladdin replacement windows when your current windows are outdated, inefficient, or damaged. Other signs they might need replacing include fogging between the window panes orsigns of mold.
The same applies to your doors. A door that’s properly sealed and sat inside its frame will immediately reduce draft and boost heating (or cooling) efficiency.
· Get a Smart Home Energy System
If there’s one thing technology is good for, it’s optimizing. That’s why smart home systems are going to be so important. Not only can they automate your heating and cooling, but they can optimize it so that you’re as comfortable as possible for as little as possible.
· Invest in Solar
One of the best ways you can work to get off the grid is to use solar energy. Currently, solar panels convert around 15 to 22% of the sunlight that hits the panel into electricity, and, on average, a single standard residential solar panel can generate around 1kWh of electricity per day.
With the average American household using around 899kWh per month (this works out to be slightly less than 30kWh per day), you would, essentially, need around 30 solar panels to completely power your home. While this isn’t an option for most households, it does mean that just a few panels on your roof can decrease your reliance on grid energy.
· Use Every Type of Insulation
It’s time to diversify your insulation. On top of insulating areas in your home like your attic or basement, you should also consider using blackout curtains, shutters, and even tapestries to insulate your home in a variety of creative ways. You can also use trees to shade your home to help keep it cool, or evergreens to block out winter winds to help you save money on your heating bills.
