4 Easy Ways You Can Energy Proof Your Home in Houston

Published: August 01, 2022

If you’re relocating to a new house, you might wonder whether or not to finance eco-friendly home improvements. However, there are many low-cost and simple strategies accessible to assist you in achieving your energy reduction goals. Here are some examples:

Ensure the walls and attic are well-insulated

Because they are more comfortable, insulated houses require less heating and cooling energy. The empty framed cavity may be filled with cellulose blown into the frame or loose-fill foam sprayed between roof joists (also known as open-cell spray foam). It is simple to insulate your home’s walls whether you hire someone to blow cellulose into the vacant frame area or have a plumber install it.

If you like working with your hands, consider installing rigid foam insulation on the outside walls and/or rafters or joists. Employ low-VOC or non-toxic insulating materials to reduce chemical exposure and improve your health and the environment.

Add weatherstripping to your doors and windows

Weatherstripping the gaps between your doors and windows helps you save money on your energy bills in the long run and keeps your heating and cooling equipment from having to work extra hard, resulting in energy waste. Weatherstripping door and window gaps will help you save money over time by preventing these leaks.

You may also want to consider installing Low-E window film or adding storm windows to your home’s windows to improve their energy efficiency.

Make use of passive solar design features

Several easy and inexpensive passive solar design options are available, ranging from south-facing windows that flood the area with light throughout the winter to overhangs that block the sun in the summer.

During the day, you may utilize your windows and skylight to provide natural light while also providing peace and quiet at night. These might help you save money on utility bills by lowering the amount of artificial lighting and cooling/heating systems used, making your home more pleasant all year.

Install a programmable thermostat

You may save money on your energy bills if you have a programmable thermostat that lets you adjust the temperature for certain times of day or week. You can, for example, change it to decrease the temperature while you are away from home or sleeping and raise it again as soon as you wake up or return home.

This way, you’re not paying to heat or cool an empty house, yet your home will be comfortable and energy-efficient when you return.

Several easy and low-cost methods exist to make your new home more energy-efficient, ranging from basic insulation and weatherstripping solutions to passive solar design features and programmable thermostats. You may use these and other strategies to ensure that your house is both pleasant and efficient in the short and long term.

For more tips on moving and storing your belongings, check out the UNITS Moving and Portable Storage of Houston blog!