What to Look For in an Energy Efficient Home

Energy efficiency is a hot topic these days. Witha home inspection if you are buying. You can
an energy efficient home you'll not only savehave an energy efficiency expert come into your
money on your monthly energy costs, but you'llhome and let you know if you need to add
reduce your impact on the environment and helpinsulation throughout your home. Windows should
your whole city become more energy efficient.be at least double pane to increase your energy
Whether you are a buyer who wants to investefficiency. As a buyer, you can include the cost of
their money into an energy efficient home or youupgrading the windows in the purchase price of
are an existing home owner who wants to lowerthe home and require the seller to have them
their energy costs, here are a few major waysre-installed before the sale is final.
that you can increase energy efficiency.4. Hot water heaters
1. Heating systemThe water heating system in a home is a major
The heating system is one of the most importantsource of energy problems if they are old and
parts of energy efficiency. There are manyneed repair. If you're buying a home, have the
different heating systems that have a high ratingwater heater inspected thoroughly so that you
for energy efficiency, the top being solar heatingcan be sure that it won't be an energy waster.
systems. Geothermal heating systems, woodElectric tankless water heaters are a good option
heating and natural gas are also good choices forif you will be replacing the water heater.
energy efficiency. The least energy efficientThermodrain systems actually capture waste heat
models are oil heating and electrical heating.from showers and other appliances that use hot
2. Cooling systemwater and are worth a look if you want to
Similar to the heating system, this is one of theincrease your hot water efficiency.
most important parts of making your home more5. Energy efficient appliances
energy efficient. The most important aspect toIf you're considering buying a home with
look for when buying a new air conditioner, orappliances, make sure that the appliances are
evaluating one that comes with a new home isEnergy Star rated. Refrigerators, washers, dryers,
the age of the unit. If the unit is more than 10dishwashers and even water heaters are available
years old, it definitely won't meet current levelswith Energy Star ratings. Energy Star appliances
of energy efficiency. High efficiency models areuse less energy to do the same amount of work.
now available that can save you money in theEnergy Star is a rating system and not a brand.
long run.These appliances are available from most major
3. Insulation and windowsmanufacturers.
Heating and cooling costs can be greatly increasedWith all of these areas evaluated, you can
when a home is not properly insulation. Insulationdetermine if your new home will be energy
leaks in the attic and basement are a majorefficient or upgrade your home to reduce your
source of energy loss and can be identified duringenergy costs.