In the current climate, it is vital that you are thinking about the effects of global warming. Caring about the environment is a popular position to hold, so you can’t afford to be left out of the loop. Failing to evaluate the energy efficiency of your property could make it difficult for you to sell your home further down the line. It could also result in huge monthly bills that other, more conscientious, homeowners aren’t having to pay. If you are determined to make sensible decisions, in regards to your property, you will need to pay close attention to the following six steps.

Update your windows

The first step is to update your windows in order to reduce the amount of hot air escaping from your property. This is a brilliant way for you save on your heating costs and to create a nicer environment for you and your loved ones to enjoy. Not only this but installing new windows is also a fantastic opportunity for you to improve the aesthetic of your home and to invest in your curb appeal. It will come in handy if you decide to sell your property, as it will be much easier for you to entice buyers over the threshold. If you are wondering how to make this change, you can get the ball rolling with the click of a button. Simply go online to get in contact with Replacement Window Company Virginia Beach.

Invest in your insulation

Another brilliant way for you to keep the warm air in and the cold air out is by investing in your insulation. One way of doing this is by moving up into your attic space. Perhaps you could go all out and invest in an attic conversion as it is a brilliant opportunity for you to create an extra room and to increase the value of your home. Alternatively, if the conversion doesn’t work for you, you can simply lay down cladding in an attempt to seal up the cracks. In addition to this, you should purchase draft excluders for your doors and look into having a liquid insulant pumped into your walls. If you decide to make this investment, just make sure that you create a ‘before’ and ‘after’ of your monthly bills. Then, if you put your home on the market, you can pass on this information to your estate agent. Or, even if you decide to stay, your comparison can act as an incentive for you to do even more work to improve the energy efficiency of your property.

Install solar panels

If you become extremely passionate about this project, you should seriously consider installing solar panels on the roof of your property. Solar panels are a brilliant way for you to get off the grid and create your own energy. If you generate enough energy, you could even bring in an extra income by selling some of it back to the government. Once again, you can use this investment as a way to sell on your home to future buyers. However, this will only be possible if you make the right choice about the positioning of your panels. For instance, if you get sun at the rear of your property, you should put the panels on the back of your roof instead of the front. Doing this will give you the best of both worlds, as you will be generating energy without compromising your curb appeal. Or, if you are thinking about building an extension, you should think about opting for a flat-roofed building. Making this decision will help you to create even more energy, without having the panels visible from your garden.

Start your own compost heap

In addition to this, you should have a go at starting your own compost heap. There is no better way for you to get rid of scraps from your kitchen. Furthermore, you can use the compost that you have created to fertilize your garden. You could even purchase hessian sacks and sell your compost on to green-fingered individuals in your local area. If you decide to push forward with this idea, make sure that you create a compost heap that is aesthetically pleasing. You could enclose it with a make-shift palate fence and then paint the area with bright colors. Or, you could purchase a high-quality plastic container that will prevent the compost from falling out across your garden.

Make the most of smart technology

In this digital age, it is important that you are making the most of smart technology. You may think that using your digital devices is counterproductive, in terms of protecting the environment, but it is actually a great way for you to improve the energy efficiency of your home. For instance, you could sync your devices to your smartphone, so that you can ensure you have turned everything off at the end of the day. You can also use this feature to control dimmer switches, instead of having all of your lights and audio devices at full blast. There are even apps that you can download that help you to stay on top of your carbon footprint.

Evaluate your water usage

The final step is to evaluate your bathroom area and turn it into a space that helps you to keep your costs low. You can do this by installing a water saving shower head or by putting a cap on your home’s water system. Doing this will allow you to control the amount of water that is being used by your household and is an excellent idea if you are one part of a large family or frequently have guests coming to stay with you. You could even set up a rota that encourages people not to spend too long in the bathroom. Why not install a shower speaker system and create a playlist that allows everyone to keep a good time? Last but not least, you should evaluate the amount of water that you are using for other activities such as washing your car or watering your plants. Why not set up a water barrel and use it to collect all the water you need? If you live in an area that experiences regular droughts, you could even store this water in plastic containers.

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