Energy-Efficient Home Improvement Ideas You Should Consider in Phoenix, Arizona, in 2023

You may want to make your home more energy-efficient for various reasons. One important reason may be that you want to sell your house as fast as possible in Phoenix. An energy-efficient home is vital to lure a vast pool of potential buyers. Another reason may be because you simply want to save. Homes that are much more energy efficient will help you save substantially on energy costs. If you want to increase the value of real estate property or your home, here are some energy-efficient home improvements you should consider in 2023. 

Improve Insulation

One great way to improve your home’s energy efficiency is to start with insulation. Although Phoenix remains mild most of the year, the summers can be scorching. You may think that insulation is only a practical solution in colder climates. However, it is also helpful in hot climates. This is because insulation keeps heat out in summer and in during winter. So if your exterior walls don’t have much insulation or the unfinished areas of your home don’t have any insulation, consider getting it. This is one of the best ways to prevent energy loss which drives up utility costs. 

Upgrade Windows and Doors

Windows and doors are a significant loss of energy in a home. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, heat loss or gain through windows is responsible for 25 to 30 percent of residential energy use. So, if you want to decrease the energy you lose each month, invest in high-quality windows and doors. 

Some windows are built to be energy efficient. For instance, picture windows are energy-efficient because they have fewer moving parts. So they don’t allow as much energy loss as other windows. But if you want windows guaranteed to improve energy efficiency, it is a good idea to purchase windows with the energy star logo.

Likewise, doors also may be a significant loss of energy for a home. Cracks may allow drafts to enter the house, forcing the HVAC system to work overtime. A door that isn’t well-insulated may also be allowing energy to escape. Upgrading to an energy star door will also improve indoor temperatures and decrease energy bills. 

Get a New HVAC System

How old is your HVAC system? You may want to consider getting a new one if it’s over ten years old. While some HVAC systems can last upwards of 20 years if well-maintained, older models may be why you may be experiencing energy loss. Upgrading to an energy star HVAC system can save upwards of 20 percent on heating and air. 

Install Smart Thermostats

In addition to getting a higher-quality HVAC system, consider investing in a smart thermostat. If you spend most of the day away from your home, you probably set the thermostat controls before you leave and allow the system to adjust automatically throughout the day. Instead of wasting precious energy by heating or cooling a home that isn’t occupied, with smart thermostats, you can have greater control over your energy while you are away. In addition, you can change the thermostat to a much more comfortable level from your smartphone close to the time you know you will occupy the home so that you won’t have to shell out so much money on energy bills each month.

Buy Energy Efficient Toilets

Did you know gallons of water go out of the home yearly from flushing the toilets? This could be why your water bill is steadily increasing. If you want to decrease costs in this area, buying and installing energy-efficient toilets is ideal. These toilets don’t require as much water to flush and can help save on water costs yearly. 

Get Energy Star Products

As mentioned before, energy star windows, doors, and HVAC systems can save a tremendous amount of money using these products. But these aren’t the only energy star products on the market.

One of the most significant ways to save is using energy star light bulbs. Not only do such bulbs use less energy, but they also produce 70 to 90 percent less heat. So not only do they consume less energy while in use, and they also give off less heat keeping you from using more air to cool the home. 

Another significant way to save with an energy star product is by switching water heaters. An energy star water heater works just like a regular water heater but uses less energy to warm water which saves upwards of $3500 over the life of these water heaters. 

Other essential energy star products to include in your home include dishwashers, refrigerators, stoves, and washing machines. Like other energy star appliances, these appliances will use less energy. 

Switch to Solar Energy

If you really want to go all out and produce one of the most energy-efficient homes in your neighborhood, you may want to consider switching to solar energy. Not only will your home be energy efficient, but you will have some degree of independence and control over your energy bill. Instead of being at the mercy of fluctuations in pricing on non-renewable energy sources, you can save and provide energy back to the grid through a process called net metering. Through this process, your local electric company rewards you with energy bill credits, allowing you to save substantially more than your neighbors. 

Although you may want to make the switch, the upfront costs of solar energy may deter you from making the commitment. For example, solar panel installation could run, on average, between $3,500 to $35,000. And if you decide to get solar shingles, you could pay between $63,000 to $75,000, according to Modernize. 

Luckily, the federal government is offering tax incentives of 30 percent to help you reduce solar installation costs. The state of Arizona is also offering a residential solar tax to help with savings on solar installation. In addition, they also offer equipment sales tax and property tax exemptions. So if you’re concerned about initial costs, help is available. 

Conclusion 

As energy bills continue to increase across the nation, it is a good idea to improve your home’s energy efficiency so that you can help cut these costs significantly. Spending less money on bills can allow you to free up money that can go to better use in investments or buying real estate property. So start today by incorporating these energy-efficient improvements and more so that you can begin building wealth. 

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