If your energy bills are higher than ever, your home could be part of the problem. As record summer temperatures and rising energy costs put pressure on household budgets, less obvious problems can make your air conditioning work harder than it needs to.
Inadequate insulation, air leaks and heat-absorbing materials can let cooled air escape and allow heat to enter, reducing your home’s efficiency.
So, before spending thousands on a new HVAC system, try lower-cost improvements that can reduce energy waste and lower utility bills. And when it’s time for larger home upgrades, like roof or window replacements, choosing the most energy efficient options can help maximize long-term savings.
Signs your home may be wasting energy
There are several signs that your home is wasting energy. Here’s what to look for:
- Your HVAC system runs continuously. If your air conditioning struggles to hold your thermostat’s setpoint, that usually means “the house is gaining heat faster than the equipment can remove it,” says Nicole Tomasin, chief commercial officer at Energy Access Innovations.
- Some rooms are hotter than others. A several-degree difference between rooms can suggest HVAC distribution and air sealing problems, not necessarily that your system is lacking capacity.
- Upstairs is hotter than downstairs. This can mean that your roof is not properly insulated and is letting heat through to your home’s upper floors.
- Windows and doors are drafty. Feeling warmth or air flow around the edges of your windows and doors can point to inefficiencies and air leaks.
Start with an energy audit
If you suspect that your home is wasting energy, a home energy assessment can help you pinpoint the source of the issue. Many local utility companies will perform energy audits at little or no cost to homeowners. State and local governments also frequently offer energy-efficiency assessments and incentive programs.
“A home energy audit with a blower door test and duct leakage testing will tell you in a few hours what a summer of speculation will not,” Tomasin says. Identifying the problem can help you understand what steps will be most effective for improving your home’s efficiency.
Upgrades experts recommend most: air sealing and attic insulation
If your home is leaking air, there are some relatively inexpensive steps you can take to improve efficiency. Two projects frequently offer a high return on investment: “Air sealing the attic floor and topping up the attic insulation,” says Kam Oveisy, owner of Desire Basements, a renovation company in the Greater Toronto area.
In fact, the EPA estimates homeowners save an average of 15% on heating and cooling when they air seal their home and add insulation to attics and basements.
These projects tend to cost much less than replacing your home’s roof or siding. “If you spend three grand insulating your attic, you could expect to recoup that in three to five years,” says Mitchel Dotson, owner of Indy Rooftops, an Indianapolis-based roofing company. He notes that proper insulation can also help your roof and HVAC unit last longer, compounding long-term savings.
Larger projects that can pay off over time
Air sealing and attic insulation tend to offer the best ROI for energy savings. But if you have another home project coming up, like roof or window replacements, there are ways that you can maximize your home’s long-term efficiency.
Reflective roofing and roof replacements
Replacing a roof solely to improve energy efficiency usually isn’t worth the upfront cost. “If the roof still has life left in it, insulation wins and it is not close,” Oveisy says.
But if it’s time for a new roof anyway, upgrading to solar-reflective, or “cool roof,” shingles can offer more energy-saving benefits. “The extra cost of stepping up to solar-reflective shingles is modest, so replacement time is the right moment to buy that upgrade,” Oveisy says.
These products are designed to reflect more sunlight and absorb less heat than traditional shingles. According to the EPA, cool shingles can help you reduce cooling demand during peak hours by 11% to 27%. They’re especially effective in hotter climates, where demand for AC is highest.
Shingles with a high Solar Reflective Index might also offer durability benefits. “Solar reflective shingles lower a roof’s surface temperature and can help reduce UV degradation, which can extend the shingles’ own lifespan and reduce maintenance costs over time,” says Lucas Hamilton, manager of applied building science at CertainTeed/Saint-Gobain North America.
New siding systems
Like roofing, replacing the siding on your home usually requires a larger upfront cost compared to the long-term energy savings. That said, if it’s time for a siding replacement, upgraded products can offer improved efficiency. “Modern siding materials, such as CERTAplank, are designed to provide better thermal resistance, which helps keep your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer,” Hamilton says.
Window replacements
The next time you need to replace your windows, consider an energy efficient option. Replacing single-pane windows with an ENERGY STAR certified option can reduce your energy bills by up to 13%. If you’re not ready to fully replace your windows, adding caulking or weatherstripping to existing windows can help reduce drafts and improve efficiency without the high upfront cost.
Bottom line: The best home projects for energy efficiency
An improperly insulated home can leak heating and cooling, making your HVAC work overtime to keep your space comfortable. An energy audit can help you identify where your home is leaking air and identify next steps.
Experts widely recommend starting with air sealing and attic insulation, as these upgrades give you the best return on your investment when it comes to keeping energy costs down. The next time you need to replace your home’s roof, siding or windows, though, there are several energy efficient upgrades you can make that will maximize your energy savings in the long-run.
Frequently asked questions
Are cool roof shingles worth it?
If you’re already replacing your roof, upgrading to cool roof shingles can be worth the upgrade, especially if you live in a warmer climate. These shingles absorb less sunlight than traditional roofing materials, which can help you save money on cooling costs.
Can attic insulation improve roof energy efficiency?
Yes. Attic insulation is one of the most effective ways to improve your roof’s energy efficiency. It helps keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter by slowing heat transfer between your attic and living space.
What are the signs of poor attic insulation?
Common signs of poor attic insulation include high energy bills, noticeable temperature differences between rooms and an HVAC unit that has to run almost constantly to keep up.
Should I replace my roof for energy savings?
Replacing your roof for the energy savings alone is usually not worth the large upfront cost. However, if it’s time to replace your roof anyway, it can be worth it to upgrade to more energy efficient materials, such as solar-reflective shingles. These can maximize long-term energy savings with a smaller added cost.