GREENVILLE Blog

How to Improve Your Home’s Energy Efficiency in the Greenville Area

When it comes to improving the energy efficiency of your home, you shouldn’t feel like you're automatically going to have to empty your wallet to reduce your carbon footprint and energy usage. In fact, there are a number of ways you and your household can make adjustments and upgrades that not only are cost-effective but could also provide a great return on investment. Our local experts at Koala Insulation of Greenville have put together a breakdown of ways you can improve your home’s energy efficiency without having to break the bank.

Small Adjustments

• Reduce Water Usage

When it comes to reducing your home’s carbon footprint and improving your environmental impact, it could be easy to write off the seemingly minor modifications. However, it’s important to remember that even smaller changes can have a significant influence. Take these practices into consideration:

• Baths use about four times more water than a shower.
• Avoid running half-loads in the washing machine or dishwasher.
• Turn off the water when brushing your teeth or washing your face.

For more ways you can make simple adjustments in your water habits, check out the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) suggestions to help your household reduce waste and even lower regular energy bills. Although reducing your water usage may seem like pennies on the dollar, this change adds up at the end of the month and especially throughout the year!

• Schedule an Energy Audit

To determine how much energy your household currently uses, scheduling an energy audit can provide a detailed evaluation. From this investigation, your team of industry experts can develop an analysis of the energy flow in order to pinpoint where energy is being wasted. This covers your house top to bottom, floors to the roof, room to room!

The main goal of an energy audit isn’t just to target pain points - instead, your contractor should also be offering solutions for specific areas that can benefit from adjustments or upgrades. With this detailed analysis, you and your household will have a better understanding of places that can potentially conserve energy and improve the efficiency of your home.

• Get Rid of Incandescent Bulbs

Incandescent light bulbs are the large, hot, yellow lights you may find around your home. These are considered "old-fashioned" by modern standards for a number of good reasons. Experts are even phasing these bulbs out of recommended use because they have short lifespans, produce a significant amount of heat, and are considered extremely inefficient in their energy usage.

As you find incandescent bulbs around your home, it’s important to take the time to remove them and consider switching them out with modern solutions. Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) or LED light bulbs not only last longer but also provide more light and use significantly less energy to help reduce your costs. In many cases, they can end up using 70% less energy than their incandescent counterparts!

Major Changes

• Insulation & Air Sealing

Once you’ve taken the time to make minor adjustments, it’s also important to consider how larger upgrades can influence your home’s energy usage. While replacing old and deteriorated insulation and air sealing will certainly cost more than changing a few lightbulbs or using less water, this change also has a higher return on investment. Additionally, upgrading these materials can increase the value of your home while also improving the comfort and safety of your environment, all while reducing energy waste, utility costs, and saving money over time!

A recent study by the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA) found that about 90% of U.S. homes are under-insulated, accounting for high energy costs, irregular temperatures, and discomfort. Insulation reduces heat transfer, the rate at which heat moves through a structure; coupled with air sealing, which significantly reduces air leaks, your house has better climate control and reduced energy costs to heat and cool the home.

•  Renewable Resources

In South Carolina, there are a number of initiatives to help residents and businesses increase the use of renewable resources. South Carolina “encourage(s) the development and use of indigenous, renewable energy resources,” and has several resources you can use to improve your cost savings and energy efficiency. Making changes like adding solar energy panels to your roof or switching to reduced energy appliances can significantly impact your money bills and energy waste. For more information on South Carolina’s incentives and rebate programs, check out their links on the Energy Office website here.

• Switch to Energy Star

The products and appliances designed by Energy Star meet energy efficiency standards and specifications that are set by the EPA. Designed to improve energy usage and savings, these products use up to 15% less energy than standard appliances, reduce greenhouse emissions, and are even eligible for residential tax credits in some areas.

Some major appliances that take up a significant amount of energy are items like refrigerators, washers, dryers, dishwashers, and air conditioners. However, it can be difficult to reduce the use of these appliances, especially if you have a larger household. While you don’t necessarily need to ditch your current appliances immediately, it’s important to keep Energy Star in mind when you’re making upgrades throughout the years in your home.

Improve Your Home’s Energy Efficiency Today

At Koala Insulation of Greenville, our team of insulation professionals is focused on helping our community find cost-effective and energy-efficient solutions. We offer free evaluations so you have a better understanding of your home’s current condition in order to make informed decisions based on the state of your insulation and air sealing. Taking into account your current budget and schedule, we can help you target pain points and improve your energy costs, comfort, and safety. Contact Koala Insulation of Greenville today to schedule your free evaluation and learn more about how insulation and air sealing can impact your environment.