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Home retrofitting is when you make changes to your home to make it more energy efficient. This can be anything from adding insulation to upgrading your heating system. Retrofitting your home has a number of benefits, including reducing your energy bills, making your home more comfortable, and helping the environment.
Why retrofit your home?
Reason #1: To reduce your energy bills
The cost of energy is always on the rise, so finding ways to reduce your energy bill is essential. Retrofitting your home is one way to reduce your energy consumption and, as a result, lower your energy bills. Retrofit is the process of making changes to an existing home to make it more energy efficient. By increasing the energy efficiency of your home, you can decrease your energy use and save money on your utility bills.
Reason #2: To make your home more comfortable
As the weather cools down, many of us start to think about making our homes more comfortable for the winter. One way to do this is to retrofit your home with insulation and energy-efficient windows. Retrofitting can help reduce your energy bills and make your home more comfortable in both hot and cold weather. Tips on how to retrofit your home for comfort:
1. Start with an energy audit: Before you start any work, it’s important to know where your home is losing heat. An energy audit will help you identify which areas need to be addressed and what type of insulation will be most effective.
2. Insulate your walls and attic: Adding insulation to your walls and attic is one of the most effective ways to reduce heat loss in your home. You can add insulation to your attic by installing more of it between the joists. Your attic is an excellent place to store loose, fluffy insulation like fibreglass or cellulose. You can also install a new, insulated hot air vent in your attic for added heat retention.
3. Seal up leaks: Sealing up cracks and holes in your home will help prevent heat from escaping. Adding caulking to drafty windows and doors, sealing gaps around pipes and ducts, and adding weatherstripping where needed will help keep the heat inside your home during the winter months.
4. Use reflective surfaces: Mirrors, shiny metal, and light-coloured walls can reflect heat back into the room.
5. Use ceiling fans: Ceiling fans provide a gentle breeze that won’t cool your room down too much but will help circulate air in the room.
6. Turn off electronics: Electronics generate a lot of heat. When you’re not using them, turn them off to prevent them from heating up the room.
7. Use a humidifier: If you’re having trouble sleeping, a humidifier can help. Some people find that it helps them relax and breathe easier.
8. Install energy-efficient windows: Windows are the biggest source of heat loss in a home. Energy-efficient windows have double panes and are better at insulating the interior from outside temperatures.
9. Install an energy-efficient heating and cooling system: No matter how well your windows are insulated, the air in a room will eventually heat up or cool down. An energy-efficient heating and cooling system will work to keep your home at a comfortable temperature all year long.
10. Upgrading to an energy-efficient heating system is a good idea. If you have a forced air furnace, consider upgrading to a more energy-efficient one. If you have an older oil or gas furnace, consider installing a new high-efficiency furnace.
Reason #3: To improve your home’s resale value
When it comes to making your home more valuable, there are a number of things you can do. One option is to make some improvements that will make your home more desirable to potential buyers. Retrofitting your home can be a great way to improve its resale value.
Retrofitting is the process of updating an older home to meet current standards. This can include anything from adding insulation to upgrading the electrical system. Making these kinds of improvements can make your home more comfortable to live in and also make it more energy-efficient.
Investing in retrofits can also pay off when it comes time to sell your home. Buyers are often willing to pay more for a home that has been updated and is in good condition. If you’re thinking about selling your home in the near future, consider making some retrofit upgrades first.
Reason #4: To reduce your carbon footprint
Reducing your carbon footprint is important for both the environment and your wallet. Making your home more energy efficient can be a big help. Retrofitting—or making changes to an existing home to improve energy efficiency—is one way to do this.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, “retrofits are one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce energy use and save money”. In fact, you can save up to 30% on your energy bill by retrofitting your home.
There are many different ways to retrofit your home, from simple changes like adding insulation or sealing air leaks to more complex upgrades like installing solar panels or geothermal heating and cooling. No matter what level of change you’re looking for, there are retrofit options that can help you reduce your carbon footprint.
Conclusion
In conclusion, doing retrofit in Ireland is a great way to save money on energy bills, increase the value of your home, make your home more comfortable, and help the environment. If you’re thinking about retrofitting your home, be sure to check out the government’s grant scheme and talk to a qualified contractor.
