It’s always a challenge to find the best time to complete energy-efficient home improvements. Sure, you can do them as one-off projects, but sometimes that feels like putting lipstick on a pig. It’s more natural to complete these improvements when making other home renovations. Consider these improvements as part of other projects you’re planning.

Windows and Doors

Windows and doors are a significant source of heat transfer, with newer models offering better transfer resistance. If you’re remodeling a particular room, consider also upgrading any exterior doors and windows to reduce heat loss. This prevents your HVAC system from working as hard, reducing both your energy consumption and wear on your system.

Appliances

You have several appliances you rely on daily to keep your home working properly. There are the obvious refrigerator, oven, range, clothes washer, and dryer. However, there is also your hot water heater, air conditioner, and heater. If you’re renovating your laundry room or kitchen, this is a perfect time to upgrade your appliances in those rooms.

If you’re putting on an addition, this is a great time to upgrade your HVAC appliances, even if they aren’t quite at the end of their service life. Doing so ensures you’re not only getting a more efficient appliance but also that the system is the right size for the new area.

Flow Restricting Faucets and Shower Heads

Another major energy consumer in your home is your hot water heater. Even if you use a more efficient tankless water heater, you can reduce the energy consumed by reducing the volume of water flowing.

The best way to do this is with water-restricting plumbing appliances. If you’re remodeling your kitchen or bathroom, consider installing faucets with this feature. You won’t notice any functional difference because it aerates the water as it flows out, making it maintain a higher pressure. In your bathroom, you may also consider using a more efficient shower head. All of these reduce the volume of hot air flowing from your faucets, which reduces the energy consumed to heat the water.

Consider More Ceiling Fans

Ceiling fans are an often under-appreciated part of your home but are integral to reducing your energy consumption. During the hot summers around Norman, they provide the windchill effect, making the air feel cooler so that you don’t set your thermostat temperature as low. They help push warm air back down to the lower part of the room over the winter, reducing how much your heating system has to work. Consider adding these to every large room and even bedrooms if you’re already renovating the space.

Whether your Norman area home renovation project involves a bathroom or kitchen remodel or putting on a home addition, you have energy improvement options. Work with the experts at SH Renovations for high-quality workmanship and to ensure you’re exploring all the options for reducing your energy consumption.