According to Home Advisor, Americans spent upwards of $4 billion remodeling their homes in 2020. So if you’re planning to renovate, you may want to remember one point: It can pay to make your Fayetteville home more energy-efficient while you remodel.
“Homeowners are putting extra emphasis on energy cost savings when remodeling their homes,” explains Danny Lipford, homebuilding expert and host of the television show “Today’s Homeowner with Danny Lipford.” “Projects that provide more energy efficiency have proven to help reduce heating and cooling costs, in some cases by up to 15 percent.”
Lipford says that homeowners would be wise to seek every possible way to keep their homes energy efficient and resistant to moisture. He recommends that early in the remodeling process you should ask the contractor plenty of questions. Find out where he thinks you can maximize energy savings, where energy can be lost during a renovation, how to protect against potential weather damage and if he plans to use innovative products such as DuPont Tyvek Weatherization Systems Products that can help save energy while protecting your home.
The three key zones Lipford identifies as those to focus on to cut energy costs are:
ZONE #1: The Attic
Attic insulation can result in significant energy savings, reducing heating and cooling costs by using innovative building materials like DuPont Tyvek AtticWrap. “Some of the most effective solutions that help make homes more efficient are the ones you can’t see and are important to focus on early in the remodeling process,” says Lipford.
ZONE #2: The Walls
During construction, contractors can use a house wrap such as DuPont Tyvek HomeWrap, which meets ENERGY STAR standards-under the siding. The wrap protects the house like a windbreaker, forming a protective skin around the walls, doors and windows. Installing house wrap can help lower heating and cooling costs by keeping outside air and water out while allowing moisture to escape. Without a quality house wrap, homes are more vulnerable to exterior deterioration, air and water infiltration and possibly mold.
ZONE #3: The Windows
Vinyl windows have become one of the most popular choices for superior energy efficiency and moisture management, especially when flashed correctly and installed with insulated glass panels.
ZONE #3b: The HVAC
While Danny Lipford suggests the above 3 spaces to look at for energy efficiency, we at Haire would be remiss if we didn’t also point out that you can save a lot of money by choosing the proper HVAC equipment. Click HERE to see what systems Energy Star suggests looking at. We know from experience that not only will an energy-efficient system save you money on your heating and cooling bills but more efficient homes also have a higher resale value when selling compared to their less efficient counterparts.
If you have any questions on how to make YOUR home more efficient, let’s talk about it.