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If you are considering upgrading your home, or simply want to game plan for better home efficiency over the long run, here are the top recommendations from the experts at Warner Service:

The first step to understanding the state of your home’s efficiency is conducting a professional home energy audit. The auditor will run tests such as a blower door test, thermographic inspections, and PFT air infiltration measurement techniques. The key information received from these tests will provide a roadmap for the efficiency weaknesses that need to be improved. 

After your home audit is complete, make sure that all of these items are properly taken care of in addition to any recommendations from your auditor:

• Add insulation to the attic or basement
• Seal all doors, windows, and any other areas prone to leaks
• Install a storm door
• Replace the air filter
• Upgrade to LED or CFL light bulbs
• Unplug unused appliances or chargers
• Use dehumidifiers to reduce humidity

Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat

Programmable thermostats have existed since the 1980s, and allow for homeowners to program the temperature to adjust during the times that they are not home. This reduces the workload placed on the home’s HVAC system while also cutting down on heating and cooling costs.

The programmable thermostat has evolved with technology, and recently taken on a new, more modern term — smart thermostat. A smart thermostat connects to the internet, allowing homeowners to adjust the temperature of the home with their phones from anywhere they can receive cellular or WiFi signal. Some versions of this new technology also take advantage of computer learning and will begin to understand your patterns over time. Smart thermostats with computer learning built in will register your heating and cooling habits, and automatically make the adjustments for you.

Even though smart thermostat technology has existed for several years, only 13% of U.S. broadband households (approx. 14.4 million) have upgraded to one. (Source: Park & Associates) Check with your local technician or do further research yourself to see if your HVAC system has the ability to upgrade. A smart thermostat could save you thousands of dollars and improve your home’s efficiency tenfold. 

Here are a few of the best smart thermostats on the market:

• Google Nest 
• EcoBee
• Honeywell Lyric T5

For the average American homeowner, adding solar panels onto your home used to be a far-fetched dream due to the high cost of installation and maintenance. Thanks to improvements in solar panel technology over the last decade, they have become more affordable and many households are beginning to make the switch. Not only does an upgrade in solar panels help improve your home’s efficiency, but it is also great for the environment.

One emerging product in the solar panel market that has the industry buzzing is the new solar roof from Tesla (yes, the electric car company). This technology turns each individual shingle on your roof into a solar power generating machine. The design looks sleek — in fact, it is so sleek that you almost can’t tell the difference between the solar roof and a traditional roof. Similar to the smart thermostat mentioned above, Tesla’s solar roof connects to the internet, providing 24/7 energy monitoring to your phone. The shingles come with a standard 25-year warranty, and the cost is surprisingly comparable to traditional roofing shingles. The best part — unlike your current roof, a solar roof will pay itself off over time. 

One of the most dreaded expenses for homeowners is replacing an outdated HVAC system. However, while this may cost you in the short term, replacing faulty or inefficient equipment can save you thousands of dollars over time. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends that you replace your HVAC system every 10 to 15 years. However, if you find that you are spending more money repairing your equipment than you would by replacing it, or if your energy bills are steadily increasing, it may be time to consider an upgrade. 

Upgrade Outdated Appliances

While checking to see if your HVAC system needs to be upgraded, it is also wise to take inventory of the other appliances in your home. Make a list of your home’s appliances, while also noting how old they are and what condition they are in. From this list, rank your appliances from worst condition to best. Over time, you can upgrade these appliances to improve your home efficiency and reduce your energy expenses. 

If you are looking to improve the efficiency of your home, keep the experts at Warner Service in mind. Interested in more information about how you can reduce your monthly energy bill? Download our free checklist that covers everything you need to know: