Thrifty Thinking: How to Reduce Your Energy Consumption Without Replacing Your Windows

 If you’ve ever said to your kids, “Close that door! I’m not paying to heat the outside!” you may be surprised to learn that your statement may not be entirely true. The Department of Energy estimates that 48% of energy use in the average home is spent on heating and cooling, with the average American spending about $2,000 per year. Of this, between $200 and $400 could be wasted on heating and cooling that is lost due to home inefficiency. You could literally be paying to heat the outside.
Storm windows are a common, effective fix—they can reduce heat loss by up to 50 percent—but they are expensive, and not always a practical solution for a family on a budget. Luckily, there are other ways that you can reduce your energy consumption, including improving the efficiency of the windows you already have, and improving your home’s energy efficiency in other areas.

Improve the Windows You Already Have

·       Caulking and Weather Stripping
Sometimes it’s not just the windows themselves that are inefficient—significant amounts of heat and cooling can be lost through cracks and crevices where the window frame meets the walls. Prevent air leakage by replacing old, worn weather stripping and sealing cracks with caulk. This relatively inexpensive DIY project is an easy fix that can have a huge impact on your energy consumption—and your utility bills. The money you spend on caulking pays for itself in the form of lower utility costs within a year. 

·       Insulating Window Panels
Insulating window panels contain foam insulation and are designed to fit the window frame, with a seal such as Velcro or tape to secure it tightly against the window. These relatively inexpensive panels provide a thermal barrier against heat and cold, and can reduce air leaks by as much as 25%.

·       Window Films
Low-emissivity (Low-e) window films are coated with invisible metallic coating, and are designed to stick to the window to protect against heat loss or gain. Window films are easy to install, and relatively inexpensive—for less than 50 dollars, you can purchase window film that can reduce heat loss by up to 25 percent.

Other Ways to Prevent Energy Loss

·       Energy Efficient Water Heater

Traditional tank water heaters not only heat your water—they keep it heated until you’re ready to use it. If you’ve ever been near a hot water tank, you know that the tank gives off heat. This leads to energy loss, as the water heater must work to keep the water hot.  Tankless water heaters only heat the water as you need it—which can lead to an energy saving of about 15 percent, for an electric water heater. While tankless water heaters are more expensive than conventional water heaters, their benefit is twofold: they use less water, and less energy is required to keep the water hot. A tankless water heater could save you up to $100 a year on utility costs.

·       Energy Efficient Appliances

About 15 percent of household energy consumption comes from appliances. You can minimize the amount of energy you consume by using Energy Star appliances. Refrigerators, washing machines and dryers are the appliances that consume the most energy. Replacing at least one with an Energy Star rated version could lead to significant energy savings.  

·       Adding Insulation

Adding insulation to the attic and basement can save you up to 50 percent on heating and cooling. If your attic is unfinished, you can simply add more insulation to the floor—the blanket type is probably the easiest, if you’re doing it yourself. In the basement, where as much as 30 percent of a home’s heat can be lost, you can add insulation to the walls or under the bottom floor.

While we can’t be quite sure how much of a home’s energy loss is caused by kids who leave doors open just a little too long, we do know that a significant portion of energy loss can be attributed to the home itself. Stop paying to heat the outside! Take steps to ensure that your home is energy efficient. This will save a lot of energy consumption—and money—that would otherwise be wasted.

Note: All stats not cited in-line come from the U.S. Department of Energy.

Robert Kociecki is a real estate veteran who currently serves as Senior Vice President of Property Management and Renovation at Altisource, which includes home buying sites like Owners.com and Hubzu. Robert enjoys sharing homeownership tips to conserve energy and keep families warm.