Tips for saving money: How to make your home more energy efficient
There are many ways to make your home more energy efficient and some of these ways qualify for a 2010 federal tax credit of up to $1,500 dollars.
Light bulbs: As the old bulbs burn out replace them with the newer more energy efficient ones. Evaluate how much light you need in each room and replace the high wattage bulbs with lower wattage ones in rooms were you don’t require as much light. For example the half bath doesn’t need two 100 watt lights and could easily be lit with two 50 watt bulbs instead.
Window blinds and drapes: Window treatments such as insulating drapes and blinds can still save money and cost much less than adding insulation or replacing windows. On hot sunny days shut the drapes to keep out the solar heat. On cool, but sunny days open them to let in the heat and light. Adjust the angle of the blinds to allow indirect light in and so the direct light does not come in.
With the federal tax credit of $1500 available, now is the time to make your home more energy efficient, save some money on installation of insulation, new windows and doors and increase the value of your home.
Insulation: Adding insulation is one of the most cost-effective home improvements available. If your home is more than ten years old and still has the original insulation, chance are that the old insulation has lost a lot of its effectiveness. There are many types of insulation that qualify for the tax credit. These include bulk insulation products such as rolls, blow-in fibers, rigid boards and expanding spray.
Most of these require professional installation. Products that seal and reduce air leaks and drafts may also qualify for the tax credit. These include weather stripping, canned spray foam uses as a seal, exterior caulking and house wraps. Using many of these products are strictly ‘do-it yourself’ level projects that can easily be done in a day.
Windows and doors: If your home is more than ten years old it might be time to replace your windows and doors. Most energy star rated windows and doors qualify for the tax credit. Manufactures and installers of the windows and doors make claims of savings of up to 30 percent on your heating and cooling bills.
An average ten window house will cost between $4,000 to $8000 for replacement windows and installation, depending on the region of the country and quality of the windows. A single door replacement runs about $3,000 dollars and may save as much as ten percent on heating and cooling costs. Also replacement windows and doors will add to the resell value of your home.