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Energy Saving Ideas for Bay Area Home Renovation

Remodeling for Energy Efficiency Goes Beyond Weatherization

Energy Saving Ideas

Are you considering a home improvement project for adding a room, upgrading a kitchen, or specifically, for trimming your energy bills? No matter what the primary goal of your remodeling project, it is always a good idea to make your home more energy efficient. Explore some of these energy saving ideas for your Bay Area home renovation.

Top Methods to Conserve Energy through Home Remodeling

Your home’s energy efficiency is a factor of various aspects. This includes the type and age of construction, local weather conditions, number of home occupants, your overall energy conservation habits, and so on. Adding a home extension or increasing the appliances in your new gourmet kitchen could further kick up the energy bills.

Basic weatherization is an important part of making your home more energy efficient:

  • Ensure that the insulation levels in your floors, walls, attic, basement and crawl spaces are at least at the minimum recommended values.
  • Ask your contractors to check for air leakage, especially around doors and windows, and reinforce the air sealing where required.
  • Undertake necessary roof repairs if it is in poor condition.
  • Replace your incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient LEDs. Explore sensor-based or other smart lighting options.
  • Install or replace the vapor barrier to improve airtightness and contain moisture levels.
  • Change the weather-stripping on your doors and windows.
  • Get regular tune-ups for your air conditioner, furnace and water heater.

Here are 5 energy saving ideas that go beyond the basics:

  1. Complete re-insulation: Consider increasing the insulation in all spaces to optimum performance values. You could also consider complete envelope air sealing, which involves removing and replacing all the existing insulation.
  2. Appliances overhaul: Your heating, cooling and water heating systems account for the largest portion of your energy bills. Depending on the age of your current systems, explore the possibility of investing in a new HVAC system or water heater. A properly sized, high-efficiency system with smart features will not only reduce your energy consumption, but also add significant value to your home.
  3. Structural replacements: What is the age of your current roof, doors and windows? While some homes come with lifetime warranties for these fixtures, have you considered investing in more energy-efficient options? Over time, this investment will pay for itself.
  4. Window placement and treatments: While the Bay Area does not get snow, winters can be damp and cold and summers extremely hot. With proper planning and placement of glass and window coverings, you can control sun exposure in a way that reduces your home’s heating, cooling and lighting costs.
  5. Soft furnishings: Think about small changes to the interior of your home. The right choice of rugs, carpets and drapes can help keep your walls, floors and windows warm and cozy, or cool and light, as you prefer. This will reduce the load on your heating and cooling systems and help lower your energy costs.

When it comes to home renovation, there is huge potential to minimize your carbon footprint. From switching to solar energy and adopting smart technology, to installing water recycling systems and heated flooring, the possibilities are endless.

Experienced Remodelers for Energy Efficient Home Renovation

At Flegel’s Construction Co. we have extensive experience in remodeling homes to reflect your lifestyle and preferences. Our innovative designers and master craftsmen are passionate about creating functional and luxurious spaces personalized to the last detail. You can also count on us for exciting and cost-effective ideas that improve the energy efficiency of your home.

Happy customers across the Bay Area, including Palo Alto, Mountain View, San Jose, Cupertino, and Campbell, CA vouch for our quality workmanship and consistent service.

Exploring cost-effective solutions for your home? We can discuss several energy saving ideas for your Bay Area home renovation. Contact us online.

Exciting Ideas for Home Remodeling in 2019

Enhance Energy Efficiency and Save More!

home remodeling

Is reducing energy usage an important goal in your upcoming home renovation or new home construction project? There are plenty of functional upgrades to help you save on utilities that are also aesthetically pleasing. With sustainable home designs gaining popularity among homeowners, smart improvements can significantly increase the value of your property. Before you begin, read the top home remodeling energy efficiency ideas for 2019.  

5 Energy-Saving Home Renovations

Enjoy a more comfortable and healthier indoor environment by implementing these remodeling ideas.

  1. Switch to solar energy: We have abundant sunshine throughout the year, so why not harness the sun’s energy to power your home? Solar panels are increasingly in demand among Bay Area homeowners. Research shows that depending on the size of the system, you can save close to $200 every month on electricity, starting from the first year. With newer technology, solar panels are now more affordable and design-friendly. Local rebates can further increase your savings. Many homeowners opt for double-sided panels which harness more sunlight and deliver more power.
  2. Replace your windows: Windows can account for heat loss and gain of around 50%. Older homes are more susceptible to temperature fluctuations because of less efficient windows. Energy Star qualified windows with lower U-values offer sustained energy savings and pay for themselves in a short time. If your energy bills are high or windows are drafty, it may be time for new, energy-efficient windows.
  3. Upgrade your insulation: Increasing or replacing it can bring your older home up to modern standards and reward you with significantly lower energy bills. There are a few different types available, such as spray foam, blown-in, fiberglass batts, reflective (radiant) barriers, etc. Consider the R-value (ability to resist heat transfer) of each type before making your choice. According to the EPA, you can save an average of 15 percent on heating and cooling costs with better insulation and air sealing for home improvement.
  4. Install a cool roof: The biggest benefit of this feature is that it will reduce your cooling bills. Just like wearing light colors on a sunny day keeps you cool; these roofing systems absorb less heat than traditional ones and reflect heat away from your home. Consider retrofitting the roof with specialized heat-reflective material, recovering tiles with a new waterproofing surface, painting a metal roof or replacing it with a cool one. Green roofs (flat roofs with a garden or plant cover) are also a good option. 
  5. Adopt smart technology: Certain technologically-advanced products can deliver great savings in terms of energy efficient home design. These include motion sensor lighting controls, smart meters for water heaters and programmable thermostats that let you lower and raise temperatures to prevent energy wastage when no one is home.

Hire an Experienced Builder for Energy-Efficient Renovations to Your Home

At Flegel’s Construction Co., we offer modern upgrades to improve your home comfort and add value to your property. We’ll work with you to transform your home into a true reflection of your lifestyle. Count on our experienced team of designers, construction experts and home building consultants to help you decide on the most cost-effective renovations for your home.

With our trademark quality and emphasis on customer satisfaction, we continue to serve a growing roster of happy customers across the Bay Area. You can see many of our successful projects in Palo Alto, San Jose, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, Mountain View and Cupertino, CA.

To discuss more home remodeling energy efficiency ideas for 2019, Contact us online.

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