What Are the Best Energy-Efficient Upgrades for Denver Homes?
If you have made the decision to make some energy-efficient upgrades for your home in Denver, you’ll need to ask yourself will save the most money on energy costs. About every 20 years, the energy use in the U.S. doubles, so to help combat the increase in your home here are few options for energy-efficient upgrades for Denver homes.
Insulate the Attic
Insulation is known to be one of the most efficient upgrades homeowners can make. Even if you live in a mild climate, installing insulation is an excellent way to maximize the energy your home uses to cool and heat the interior of your home. As a bonus, insulation also makes rooms more soundproof, which is an amazing perk for large families. It’s not uncommon for the return on investment for installing insulation to be as much as 100%. Along with insulating the attic, there are other ways to add extra insulation as well. For instance, you can place simple pieces of foam insulation that are designed to be used between the wall and electrical outlets and caulk around gaps in doors and windows.
New Windows and Doors
Even with the best insulation available, it can only do so much if your windows and doors are allowing air to seep in and out. The installation of new windows and doors has been shown to lower energy costs; depending on where you live, the United States EPA estimates that homeowners can save as much as $500 a year when they use Energy Star approved windows to replace their single-pane windows. This change will ultimately make your home more energy-efficient while saving you money on energy costs. If you are unable to replace your current windows, consider adding caulking or weather stripping around the windows to help prevent drafts.
Install a New Roof
One of the best ways to create an energy-efficient home in Denver is by simply changing the roofing material on your home. Studies have shown that your home can have as much as a 30% decrease in energy use just by choosing the right roofing material. An excellent option for energy-efficient roofing material is metal, but if you prefer a more traditional type of roofing material, simply replacing the current shingles can help to reduce the risk of heat escaping through the roof. Not only will a new roof save you money on energy costs, but it will help increase the efficiency of the attic insulation and it provides a healthier interior for your home.
All of the above updates can lead to savings on your energy costs and they will add resale value to your home. If you aren’t sure where you can benefit the most when it comes to energy-efficient updates, consider contacting your energy provider for a home inspection. A professional inspector will come to your home and recommend the updates that will have the greatest impact on your goal of energy efficiency.
