Four Home Repairs Tennessee Residents Can Do To Make Their Homes Greener

At Custom Smart Homes we specialize in building energy efficient homes for people across the state of Tennessee.  Solar homes in Tennessee and other energy efficient homes are more popular than ever now since people see the value in having in environmentally friendly home.  Green homes aren’t just good for the environment; they’re good for your wallet and your home value.  Eco-friendly energy efficient updates can save you a lot of money on your energy bills, and environmentally friendly features can add value to your house.  If you aren’t able to afford a brand new energy efficient home, there are things you can do to your current home that can help make it more energy efficient.

Get an energy audit

If you want to make your home more energy efficient, you should start off by having your home go through an energy audit.  A home energy audit is basically a thorough home inspection that focuses on evaluating the energy efficiency of your home.  It can easily be done by professionals, or by the home owners themselves.  A thorough inspection can show you where you patch up holes and cracks to prevent air leakage, and can pinpoint where your home’s energy weak spots are and how much they’re affecting your energy bills.

Replace Your Windows

If you want to make your home more environmentally friendly, replacing your windows should be at the top of your list.  Improperly sealed windows can cause a lot of air leakage in your home, and those air leaks can cost you a lot of money on your energy bills.   Energy efficient windows use a variety of ways to separate the air from your home from outside air.  Multi-pane windows utilize insulating gas between panes to help keep air in.  Some windows may be tinted or treated with a glaze that helps reduce the amount of solar energy that gets into your home.

Improve Your Insulation

When it comes to energy efficiency DIY repairs, insulation installation is one of the simplest repairs you can do.  Installing insulation in your home’s walls, rafters, and attic can help drastically improve your home’s energy efficiency.  Insulation in your home helps prevent the heat transfer that can occur through common building   materials like wood and dry wall.  They can also act as air dams that can prevent airflow inside your walls. 

Replace Your Water Heater

Consumer Reports estimate that water heating accounts for 1/3 of your home’s energy consumption.  If you want to make your home more environmentally friendly and save money, you should consider swapping out your water heater for an energy efficient model.  Make sure that the water heater you get is large enough to handle your home’s water heating needs.  A heater that’s too large will waste energy.