Virginia residents experience incredibly diverse weather. With temperatures averaging at 28 degrees during the coldest months and reaching 90 degrees or more during the summer, homeowners and business owners must prepare their homes for fluctuating and extreme temperatures.

Improving the energy efficiency of your home is the best way to live a more sustainable lifestyle and reduce your spending on utilities each month. There are so many home improvements, both big and small, that can lower your consumption of non-sustainable energy and decrease how much you are spending to keep your appliances running or heat and cool your house each year. However, not all home improvements are equal, and some get more bang for your buck than others.

Seal Air Leaks Throughout Your Home

While time consuming, sealing the air leaks in your home is among one of the most affordable energy efficient upgrades out there. Spend time examining your home and checking some of the places most vulnerable to leaks such as your attic, near the foundation, around piping, or on windows and doors.

Use inexpensive but effective measures for sealing any leaks you find. Caulking can be used to fix small or abnormally shaped leaks, while weather stripping can be used along the foundation or around doors and windows. Doing so gives you more control over the climate of your home and lessens the workload experienced by your heating and air conditioning system.

Upgrade Your Heating and Cooling Systems

Older systems, especially those that are 15 or more years old, simply cannot control the climate of your home efficiently. An older system must work hard to cool your home during the summer and heat your home during the winter, and this costs you unnecessary money. Upgrading your heating and cooling system may be a big expense, but it is one that is sure to pay off. Even the most “average” new systems on the market today are able to produce a 20 percent energy savings when compared to outdated models.

Properly Insulate Your Attic

If your attic is not properly insulated, chances are high you are spending way more on heating your home each winter than you should. When the attic of your home is insulated properly, you can expect to experience utility savings between 10 and 50 percent of your original bill.

So, how do you know if your attic has enough insulation? Most experts suggest a minimum of 10 inches of insulation on the attic floor. Additionally, be sure to remove any items you have placed in your attic for storage, since this can prevent proper insulation.

When you live in a climate as diverse as Virginia’s, energy efficiency should be at the forefront of your mind. At Modernize, we believe any green improvements that can be made to your home are beneficial, but we also know that some improvements produce better results. To learn more about improving your quality of life as you work and live in Virginia, visit Virginia Organizing online.