WWW.QNS.COM RIDGEWOOD TIMES MAY 13, 2021 17
Spring is in the air, bringing
with it the impulse to make
home renovations. Are you
looking for ways to upgrade your
home with the environment in mind,
but worried about the expense?
Fortunately, many home improvements
are not as costly up front as
they used to be, and the return on
those investments - both in energy
savings and your home’s value - is
well worth the effort.
Here are five ways to boost your
home’s energy-efficiency and make
a difference for the planet.
CHOOSE ENERGY STAR
CERTIFIED PRODUCTS
Have outdated appliances that
aren’t performing well? For an efficiency
upgrade, look for the blue
Energy Star label on products ranging
from appliances and electronics
to lighting and HVAC systems
as a simple way to save money and
conserve energy, which helps fight
climate change. You can even find
Energy Star windows, which can
make a difference for the comfort
of your home as well as lowering
overall energy costs. For added
value, appliances with the Energy
Star “Most Efficient” designation
highlights products delivering
cutting-edge energy efficiency
along with cutting-edge technological
innovations.
UPDATE YOUR HVAC
Spring is a good time to have a
professional tune up your HVAC
system to ensure peak performance
and help prevent future problems.
Heating and cooling cost the average
homeowner about $875 a year,
according to the EPA’s Energy Star
website. If you’re still using a furnace
for heat and a separate AC unit
for cooling - or worse, an outdated
system that relies on fossil fuels - it
may be time to upgrade to something
more advanced and efficient.
Now, manufacturers such as LG offer
a wide range of HVAC systems
that offer both heating and cooling
in a single unit, without sacrificing
energy efficiency.
For times of the year like spring
and fall where you may be on either
end of the temperature spectrum,
this type of system that can both
heat and cool can be particularly
beneficial. For year-round comfort
and efficiency, new technologies
like LGRED (Reliable to Extreme
Degrees) work well even if you live
in the most extreme climates. Each
unit in this product line can handle
cooling for very hot temperatures of
up to 118F (where a conventional AC
system may fail), as well as heating
for very cold temperatures. In fact,
products with LGRED offer 100%
heating capacity performance down
to 5F and continuous heating operation
down to -13F.
GO SOLAR
You’ve heard about solar for
years, but now may be the perfect
time to switch to renewable energy.
Solar energy can help power your
home, saving hundreds of dollars
in utility bills while also boosting
your home’s value and providing
peace of mind about helping the
environment.
Considering installing solar panels,
but don’t know where to start?
Now you can figure out what your
home needs through a digital “solar
concierge,” which can help you
explore technology and financing
decisions tailored to your situation.
The solar concierge program from
LG helps you determine whether
going solar will meet your objectives
and, if it does, how to get your
installation fulfilled by a local
installer. And remember that not
all solar panels are created equal;
it’s best to go with high-efficiency
panels from a brand you know and
trust.
REDUCE AIR LEAKS AND
CHECK INSULATION
Sealing air leaks and adding insulation
can help increase comfort and
energy efficiency, and may provide
up to a 10% savings on your annual
energy bills, according to the EPA.
Pay special attention to preventing
air leaks (with simple foam insulation)
when installing your window
air conditioner for the summer.
Simple fixes include installing
weather-stripping on doors and
caulking around windows, while
bigger jobs include sealing leaks
and adding insulation in your attic.
Replacing aging windows and doors
that are not energy efficient and
that may have cracks or leaks will
improve your home’s energy efficiency.
Another upside? Brand new
doors and windows can instantly
increase your home’s curb appeal.
UPGRADE YOUR
BATHROOM PLUMBING
FIXTURES
For older toilets, sinks or showerheads
in your bathroom, upgrading
to newer models can help save on
your water bill, while also wasting
a lot less water. Generally, today’s
bathroom fixtures use less water,
which is more eco-friendly. Any
improvements or upgrades made to
your bathroom can also help boost
your home’s value.
Don’t know what to tackle first?
Many energy or utility companies
will offer homeowners a free
energy audit. An expert comes to
your home to determine the worst
culprits in reducing your energy
efficiency and air leakage around
your house. This can help you target
your improvements to achieve the
best results in the quickest, most
cost-effective way. Your home will
feel more comfortable, and you’ll
know you’re doing what you can to
help the environment.
— Courtesy of BPT
AT HOME
Five green home improvements worth your investment dollar
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