Having an energy-efficient home isn’t just about installing solar panels and swapping out all your lightbulbs for LEDs. While those are steps in the right direction, energy efficient home improvements go far beyond that.
From updating your windows and exterior doors to improving insulation and weatherproofing, an energy efficient renovation in Minnesota can lower your utility bills, boost your comfort, and create a more sustainable home.
If you’re considering making your home more efficient, our team at James Barton Design-Build can help you explore upgrades that align with your goals and fit your home’s aesthetic. Contact us for a design consultation today!
How to Plan an Energy-Efficient Renovation
The most common culprits for energy loss are doors, windows, and insulation. But each home is different, and you don’t necessarily need to upgrade everything to see a positive change. Before starting a project, you’ll want to understand which specific areas in your home can benefit the most from upgrades. This is where a home energy audit comes in.
For the best insight, you can hire a professional energy auditor who will use specialized tests to check for inadequate insulation and other inefficiencies. However, no one knows your home better than you, so you can also do a simple assessment yourself. When checking your home, pay attention to things such as:
- Drafty areas
- Inconsistent room temperatures
- Condensation on windows
It also helps to look at your power bills. Running the furnace or AC more than usual can indicate you have issues with insulation or weatherproofing. And while it’s not related to the structure of your home, looking at the bills can help you identify “phantom” electronics—appliances that are drawing power even when they’re not in use.
Exterior Upgrades for Improved Energy Efficiency
Installing energy-efficient windows and doors in Minnesota can significantly reduce your energy bills. Modern glass is often designed with low-emissivity (low-E) coatings to prevent unwanted heat transfer. Double-pane glass is typically filled with argon gas to provide an extra layer of insulation. Modern door and window frames also tend to have better insulation and provide a tighter fit to reduce drafts.
If your home doesn’t need new doors or windows, it’s still worth checking that the seals, caulking, and weatherstripping are in good shape. Even with modern glass and frame technology, a faulty seal can make your home less efficient.
Interior Home Improvements for Energy Efficiency
One of the most overlooked causes of heat loss and energy inefficiency in a home is right over your head—in the attic. Even with adequate insulation, the insulation will settle and compress over time. Since the air pockets in insulation help regulate the temperature in your home, as that insulation settles, you gradually lose the R-value the insulation provides.
Adding new spray foam is the most energy-efficient—but also the most expensive—insulation option. But even adding more standard blown-in insulation will significantly improve your home’s energy efficiency. It’s worth checking in your attic to see if it’s time to re-insulate.
Beyond the attic, there are other places you can check seals to strengthen your home’s overall insulation:
- Crawlspaces
- Basement
- Rim joists and floor joists
Appliance & System Upgrades for Improved Efficiency
Aside from structural changes to your home, you can also make a big difference by looking at outdated systems. Utilities like old water heater units not only waste natural resources, but they also cost more to run. Some newer models only heat water on demand, instead of constantly heating a water supply.
Switching to high-efficiency water heaters, heat pumps, and furnaces is a great way to upgrade your home. With modern innovations, many new models use less energy while delivering the same—or better—performance.
If you’re planning a kitchen remodel, you’ll likely want to incorporate new appliances into your plans already. James Barton Design-Build can help you choose appliances that fit into your design seamlessly. From refrigerators and stoves to dishwashers and microwaves, most appliances are ENERGY STAR certified, meaning you don’t have to sacrifice function over aesthetics.
Work with James Barton Design-Build for your Energy Efficient Home Renovation
Making your home more efficient isn’t just about swapping out materials at random. It’s about creating a coordinated approach throughout your home to maximize your energy savings. As a design-build firm, JBDB integrates energy-efficient upgrades into your plan from the beginning, giving you a cohesive experience from material selection through the construction and installation process.
As a Minnesota company, we understand the unique challenges of renovating a home to withstand freezing winters and hot, humid summers. We’ll help you choose the best systems and designs to get the most value out of your energy-efficient home improvement investment. Contact our design team for a consultation today!
