Investing in Home Efficiency: Top Electrical Upgrades for Long-Term Savings

If your home has high electric bills, inconsistent temperatures, or frequent outages, it’s likely a sign your home has some energy efficiency issues. An efficient home will perform well while expending the least amount of energy possible to do so. You can upgrade your home in many ways to improve its energy efficiency, lower your electric bills, and improve its performance. While some of these upgrades are easier and cheaper than others, all of them can contribute to a more efficient home.

Solar or Wind Energy

Switching to a renewable energy source, such as wind or solar power, can significantly improve energy efficiency in a home. These clean energy sources also benefit the environment and help your local power plant reduce pollution. Solar panels or wind turbines can even store excess energy and return it to the electrical grid. Changing the source of your electrical energy can be pricey at first, but it saves money in the long term.

Wiring

Outdated wiring can overload the electrical grid, resulting in power outages, tripped breakers, and overworked electrical systems. Upgrading your home’s wiring can provide adequate power to all rooms and systems, reducing waste and improving efficiency.

Lighting

Many homes use outdated lighting or light bulbs that use a lot of energy and don’t last very long. With a few minor lighting upgrades, you can improve energy efficiency in your home and reduce electric bills.

Dimmers

Not all lights need to perform at maximum brightness. Installing dimmers in appropriate rooms can provide sufficient lighting without wasting excess energy. Dimmers also allow homeowners to customize mood lighting and brightness according to their preferences.

LED Lighting

LED lighting is very energy efficient. It lasts far longer than traditional lighting and uses far less energy. LED bulbs also come in various color tones and sizes to fit any home’s theme, mood, or lamps.

Timers or Motion Sensing

Lighting timers are programmed to turn off after a specific time or according to a schedule. Timers can help homeowners use less energy when lighting isn’t needed. Motion sensors turn on lighting when motion is detected, so lights don’t have to stay on constantly in unoccupied rooms. Motion sensors are handy for exterior lighting at nighttime.

Outlet Upgrades

Outlets can be upgraded for safety and energy efficiency. They can be fitted with a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI), which shuts off the power to that outlet when overloaded. Smart outlets connect with your Wi-Fi and can be controlled anytime. They allow you to turn off outlets that aren’t needed if you forget to do so, which saves energy.

Programmable Thermostat

Your home’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system typically uses more energy than any other home system or appliance. A programmable thermostat helps you manage this energy consumption by timing when the system needs to be used. For example, you can program or schedule your thermostat to turn off or run less when you aren’t at home. Smart thermostats allow you to monitor and control the temperature from anywhere.

Water Heater

Water heaters can use a lot of energy to heat water for showers, dishwashers, washing machines, and other purposes. Upgrading to a more energy-efficient water heater can reduce your energy bills. Switching to a tankless water heater can save even more energy, as water is heated on an as-needed basis as opposed to tank water heaters, which constantly need to heat their water source. Remember, not all laundry loads require the hottest water possible; switching specific loads to cold or warm water as opposed to hot can help save you money!

ENERGY STAR

The U.S. Department of Energy created the ENERGY STAR program to reduce home energy consumption. ENERGY STAR-approved appliances and products exceed the federal minimum standards for energy efficiency, saving energy bills and the environment simultaneously. Upgrading your home’s appliances to energy-efficient models, including ones approved by ENERGY STAR, can significantly reduce your electric bill and improve efficiency. These appliances or products are labeled with the ENERGY STAR logo and can be found at practically any retailer.

Hiring the Right Electrician

A licensed electrician can help identify which appliances or systems drain the most energy in your home. They can also inspect your home’s wiring to determine any problems or consumption concerns. They can also install any electrical upgrades to improve your home’s efficiency. Be sure to verify the electrician you hire is reputable, has undergone extensive training, has passed a prep course, and has an electrical license in your area.

Conclusion

When your home isn’t energy-efficient, it drains natural resources and your wallet. Inadequate energy efficiency can also strain your appliances and systems, wearing them down faster. Upgrade your home’s wiring, lighting, outlets, and thermostats to reduce energy consumption. Switching to renewable energy, such as solar or wind power, can provide long-term costs and help reduce pollution. Ensure you hire a qualified, reputable, licensed electrician to perform upgrades.