Add solar roofing panels
Adding solar roofing panels on your home is worth it just for the energy savings alone. But it’s a job that has to be done right, and by qualified GAF Master Elite roofing installers. We approach solar panel installation in Westborough from a roofer’s perspective rather than a solar company’s. This means we want to make sure the panels don’t become a leaking point and that your roof can handle the weight of the panels. We even make sure you qualify for receiving solar energy in the first place.
One of the biggest advantages of installing solar panels is the boost you will see in your home’s resale value. Overall, home value increases by $20 for every $1 reduction in your annual energy bills, spelling long-term savings that’s good for your property and your purse. And if you’re looking to sell anytime in the next few years, remember: buyers like solar. According to the Zillow Group Consumer Housing Trends Report, nearly 70 percent of home buyers ranked energy efficiency as extremely important when it comes to home features.
Replace your windows
If you have old, drafty windows, this is a big source of energy leakage. You spend a lot of money to condition the air in your home. It stands to reason that you want to protect it. Did you know that up to one third of the average home’s heat loss takes place through windows and doors? To prevent energy loss, you can add weatherstripping and caulking, strategically use draperies and curtains, apply window films, and insulate your window panels and interior storm windows. If your windows are getting on in years, it may be time to replace them. This includes skylights.
Between 25 and 30 percent of cooling and heating energy is lost either through heat gain or heat loss, says the U.S. Department of Energy. By adding energy-efficient windows, you can save an average of 12 percent on your utility bills, translating to a savings of between $100 and $600 per year.
Install new appliances
New appliances consume much less energy thanks to better efficiency standards. After heating and cooling, and heating water, appliances happen to be the third-largest energy spend, comprising about nine percent of your energy bill. Refrigerators and clothes dryers feature the highest operating costs annually.
New washing machines, for instance, that bear the Energy Star label will use 25 percent less energy and up to 75 percent less water than agitator-type washers did just 20 years ago, according to Consumer Reports. Overall, energy efficient appliances save you 10 to 50 percent of the energy required from an older model.
Make your home smarter
Smart homes shrink energy bills. Today’s thermostats and appliances, for instances, are very efficient because they are able to automatically adjust to your changing energy needs. They are also able to detect inefficiencies in an effort to minimize water, electricity, and gas waste. You can exponentially reduce your energy consumption when you incorporate smart devices into your home.
Here are a few ways you can make your home smarter:
- Smart lightbulbs
- Smart thermostats
- Smart water leak and freeze detectors
- Smart plugs
- Smart appliances
- Smart home security systems
- Smart irrigation systems
- Smart garage door openers
Each of these components can reduce your energy consumption and save you money. Energy Star certified smart light bulbs and fixtures use about 90 percent less energy than traditional incandescent light bulbs. Smart lighting also uses less energy when on and in standby mode, with 15x the life expectancy of incandescent bulbs. The best part of having a smart home is that you can control each function with your phone or tablet, placing your appliances on a worry-free timer.
In the end, having a more energy efficient home is easier than you think. From roofing to siding, getting the opinion of a qualified contractor in Hudson MA is job #1.
Make your home energy efficient with Golden Group Roofing
Here at Golden Group Roofing, we can help provide you with a more energy efficient home in Massachusetts. Just one way we can help is through our sister division: Golden Group Solar, where we merge roofing and solar system installation.
Contact us for a solar installation quote today or call us at 508-873-1884.
