We’re always looking for ways to cut costs, and one way to do that is by making your home more energy efficient. With inflation on everyone’s mind, energy is one of the biggest contributors to higher prices. Here are a few different ways that you can make your home more energy efficient and save you money month in and month out.

Get an Energy Audit

An energy audit is one of the best ways to find out where your home is losing energy and what improvements need to be made in order to make it more efficient. A professional energy auditor will come to your home and test for air leaks, insulation levels, and heating and cooling systems. They will also assess your lighting and appliances to see if they are energy efficient. After the audit, you will receive a report with recommendations on how to improve the energy efficiency of your home. If you’re in the Twin Cities, Xcel & Center Point Energy will help connect you to an auditing firm. Another great option to to reach out the Minnesota Center for Energy and the Environment.

Seal Air Leaks

Let’s call it what it is, drafty homes. Air leaks are one of the biggest sources of wasted energy in homes. These leaks can occur around doors, windows, electrical outlets, chimneys, and anywhere else where there is a break in the structure of your home. Sealing these air leaks can help to improve the comfort level in your home while also saving you money on your energy bills. This project is great to tackle after you’ve had an energy audit as they should point out all the spots where air is entering your home. This project can be as simple as a can of spray-foam or as intense as hiring a contractor. I can’t stress how much of an improvement to not just how efficient your home is but how comfortable it will be.

The most cost effective improvement you can make to your home is to add insulation. Most homes have some insulation in the walls, ceilings, and floors, but it likely is a country mile away from where it needs to be. In Minnesota, you should have a value of r60 above your ceiling. That means you need A LOT of insulation up there. If your home was built decades ago, you be surprised how little you may have in your home. Adding additional insulation can help to keep heat in during the winter and cool air in during the summer, which can lead to lower utility bills.

Insulate your home

Making your home more energy efficient is a great way to save money on your utility bills while also making your home more comfortable . In Part 2, I’ll tackle three more ways to shrink your energy bills. Taking steps to make your home more efficient can provide significant savings over time. At the rate energy prices are going, these improvements are going to save you money in no time!