When your home uses less electricity, you save money, reduce pollutants that create smog, and help prevent physically harmful global warming trends. This latest post in our homeowner tips series explores various investments Florida homeowners can make in energy-efficient solutions that help meet their energy needs while boosting their home’s value.
Whether you’re getting ready to sell your house, just bought a new home, or simply want to upgrade your home’s existing features, here’s what you need to know.
Homeowner Tips: 5 Investments That Save Energy and Boost Home Value
From practical tips on insulation and weatherization to advanced technologies like smart thermostats and solar panels, discover how these simple yet impactful changes can transform your home into an energy-efficient haven.
- Replace the Roof
If your roof’s nearing the end of its lifespan, installing a new one can significantly improve your home’s energy efficiency.
New reflective roofing materials and coatings reduce heat gain by reflecting a significant portion of the sun’s solar radiation instead of absorbing it. These “cool roofs” are particularly beneficial in warmer climates like Florida, where heat can impact indoor comfort and increase energy usage for cooling.
Roof insulation also helps save energy by reducing heat transfer, acting as a thermal barrier, and reducing cooling system loads in hotter months. Your home’s interior remains consistently comfortable, and temperature fluctuations are minimized throughout the year.
- Install Solar Panels
Solar panels are another excellent investment for Florida homeowners seeking energy efficiency, offering:
- Cost-savings in the form of lower electricity bills.
- Net metering that allows you to sell extra power to energy companies.
- A way to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, contributing to a more sustainable future.
- Proper Roof Ventilation
Attics can become extremely hot in Florida. Adequate ventilation plays a crucial role in maintaining an energy-efficient home. A well-ventilated attic reduces heat buildup, prevents moisture damage, and extends a roof’s lifespan.
Typical attic vents include:
- Ridge vents installed along a roof’s peak provide a continuous opening for air to escape from the attic.
- Soffit vents serve as intake vents that allow fresh air to enter the attic, promote air circulation, and prevent hot spots from forming.
- Gable vents allow hot air to escape. They’re particularly effective when used with soffit vents to create cross-ventilation.
- Turbine vents use wind power to draw hot air out of the attic.
- Powered attic fans direct hot air out of the attic to keep the space cooler. They’re an excellent choice in areas with inadequate natural ventilation.
- Upgrade Windows
Replacing your home’s older windows with energy-efficient versions is a wise investment for several reasons:
- Low-emissivity or low-E glass coatings minimize heat transfer, prevent heat gain in summer, and mitigate heat loss in winter.
- Double and triple-paned windows with inert gases like argon or krypton provide better insulation, reduce noise, and enhance energy efficiency.
- Proper window sealing prevents air leaks and drafts, ensuring energy efficiency and improved comfort.
Advanced window systems also offer UV protection that can reduce furniture and flooring fading and help conserve natural resources by decreasing the demand for non-renewable energy sources.
- Additional Insulation and Weatherization
Adding more wall insulation and sealing air leaks around windows and doors are two other cost-effective ways to reduce energy loss and enhance your home’s comfort.
- Increasing the insulation in walls prevents the escape of heated or cooled air and reduces energy transfer. It also helps maintain a consistent indoor climate, reducing the workload on heating and cooling systems.
- Sealing air leaks around windows and doors prevents drafts, enhancing energy efficiency and comfort and creating a more thermally efficient and comfortable living environment while lowering energy consumption and utility costs.
Other energy-efficient solutions to consider include landscaping that reduces your home’s cooling needs, installing smart thermostats, and upgrading to new appliances that lower energy consumption.
How a Realtor Can Help You Choose Energy-Efficient Home Investments
A knowledgeable realtor can play a crucial role in helping you choose energy-efficient home investments that save you money and increase your home’s value. They can provide insights into the latest energy-efficient technologies and upgrades, assess your short or long-term goals, and help you make decisions about creating a more sustainable and cost-effective living environment. They’re also a terrific resource for local contractors and information on state and federal rebates and incentives for energy-efficient improvements.
Ready to learn more about how to increase your Central Florida home’s value with energy-efficient home investments? Looking to buy or sell a property in Volusia County? Contact Bee Realty Corp today and speak to one of our agents about additional improvements you can make to enhance your property’s value and contribute to a more sustainable future.
