It’s not just schedules that change as summer vacation comes to an end. Your home’s energy needs change, too, as you shift schedules to deal with hectic mornings, evening homework sessions, loads of extra laundry, and electronics that are charged from bedtime until breakfast.
Before long, you may notice your utility bills climbing higher and higher. The good news is that improving your home's energy efficiency doesn't require a drastic overhaul. In fact, you can make a noticeable difference in just one weekend by tackling a handful of simple DIY projects that make your home more comfortable while reducing wasted energy.
Start by Stopping Air Leaks
One of the quickest ways to improve energy efficiency is also one of the easiest to overlook. Small gaps around doors and windows allow cooled air to escape while letting hot outdoor air sneak inside. Even tiny cracks can add up over time, forcing your air conditioner to work harder than it has to.
Walk through your home and pay attention to areas where you can feel warm air or notice daylight around doors. Window frames, door jambs, and the spaces where trim meets the wall are all common trouble spots. Replacing worn weatherstripping or applying fresh caulk around windows and doors is an inexpensive project that you can knock out fast. Once you’re done, your home will hold cooled air more effectively so your HVAC system operates more efficiently during the remaining weeks of summer and will be ready for cooler days ahead.
Help Your HVAC System Work Smarter
Your heating and cooling equipment can’t perform efficiently if the HVAC filter is clogged. A clean filter allows air to move more freely through the system, keeping your home at a comfortable temperature with less effort.
Give Your Windows a Quick Checkup
Energy efficient windows make a huge difference in your home’s energy use, but you don’t necessarily need brand new windows to see the benefits. Often, the windows you have just need a little TLC. Check that window locks are latched so the sashes close tightly, clean debris from the window tracks so they seal completely, and check weatherstripping for signs of wear.
If you have window air conditioners, make sure the side panels fit snugly and seal any gaps around the unit with foam weatherseal. These small improvements help prevent cool air from escaping while keeping hot, humid outdoor air outside, where it belongs.
Seal Up Hidden Gaps Around the House
Some of the biggest sources of air leaks aren't around windows at all. Tiny openings where plumbing pipes, electrical wiring, cable lines, and dryer vents enter your home all create openings where conditioned air can escape — and together they can account for a surprising amount of wasted energy. Take a look around your basement, crawl space, utility room, or attic to check for small gaps where pipes or wires pass through walls. Sealing these openings with the caulk or expanding foam tape reduces leaks and keeps indoor temperatures consistent.
Make Your Water Heater More Efficient
Your water heater works year-round, even when you're focused on cooling your home. If you have an older water heater, adding an insulating blanket can reduce standby heat loss and improve efficiency. Watch this video for easy installation tips:
Insulating exposed hot water pipes with tubular foam pipe insulation will also keep water warmer as it travels through your plumbing, meaning you'll spend less time waiting for hot water at the faucet.
Don't Forget the Garage Door
Because attached garages aren't usually climate controlled, any gaps around the garage door allows outside air to seep into the garage and make its way into your home. Inspect the weatherseal that runs along the top and sides of the door and check the seal that runs along the bottom of the door. If you notice cracks, flattening, or visible light underneath, replace them to create a tight seal.
Small Changes Add Up
Sometimes the smallest weekend projects deliver the biggest long-term rewards. Sealing a few air leaks, replacing worn weatherstripping, improving window seals, changing your HVAC filter, and insulating key areas all help reduce the amount of energy your home wastes every day. As your family's schedule becomes busier with school, work, and extracurricular activities, these improvements will continue to pay off. Perhaps just as importantly, many of these same projects prepare your home for the cooler months ahead. By addressing problem areas now, you'll be in a better position when temperatures begin to drop and heating season arrives.
