4 Low-Cost Ways to Energy Proof Your Home in Virginia Beach

Published: July 01, 2022

If you’re relocating to a new house, you might be contemplating whether or not to invest in home improvements. Fortunately, there are several low-cost solutions accessible to assist you in meeting your energy-saving goals. Here are some examples:

Ensure the walls and attic are well insulated

Insulated homes use less heating and cooling energy since they are more comfortable. Cellulose blown into the empty framed cavity or loose-fill foam insulation sprayed between roof joists (also known as open-cell spray foam) can be used to fill the empty framed cavity. It is simple to insulate your home’s walls whether you hire someone to blow cellulose into the vacant frame space or have a plumber install it for you.

If you enjoy working with your hands, consider installing rigid foam insulation on the outside of walls and/or rafters or joists. To minimize chemical exposure and enhance your health and the environment, utilize low-VOC or non-toxic insulating materials.

Add weatherstripping to your doors and windows

Drafty windows and ill-fitting doors can make your heating and cooling equipment work harder than required, resulting in energy loss. Weatherstripping the gaps between your doors and windows will help you save money on your energy expenses over time by preventing these leaks.

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

Make use of passive solar design features

There are several easy and inexpensive passive solar design ideas that may be used, ranging from south-facing windows that let in a lot of light throughout the winter to overhangs that provide shade during the summer.

You may transform your windows and skylights to allow in natural light during the day while also providing solitude at night. These can help you reduce artificial lighting and cooling/heating systems, which will save you money on your utility bills and make your home more comfortable all year.

Install a programmable thermostat

You may be able to save money on your energy bills if you have a programmable thermostat, which allows you to customize the temperature for particular times of day or week. You might, for example, set it to decrease the temperature while you’re 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, and yet your home will be comfortable and energy-efficient when you return.

Overall, there are several low-cost methods to make your new house more energy-efficient, from basic insulation and weatherstripping solutions to passive solar design features and programmable thermostats. You may employ these and other techniques to guarantee that your home is both comfortable and efficient in the immediate as well as long term.

For more tips on moving and storing your belongings, make sure to check out the UNITS Moving and Portable Storage of Virginia Beach blog!