5 Tips for an Energy-Efficient Rehab

If you’re investing in rentals, the last thing you need is oversized energy bills every month. This is something you solve at rehab stage of your project. By making strategic renovations, you can optimize energy efficiency, resulting in lower energy bills, happier tenants, and a premium rental product. This post looks at the five the best ways to an energy-efficient rental.

1. Upgrade to Energy-Efficient Windows and Doors

Windows and doors play a crucial role in maintaining the temperature inside the home. Upgrading to energy-efficient options prevents heat loss in winter and keeps things cool during these new burning summers. Look for windows and doors with high energy efficiency ratings, such as those with double or triple glazing, low-emissivity coatings, and insulated frames. These upgrades will minimize air leaks, reduce energy transfer, and lower your bill.

2. Optimize Insulation

Proper insulation is essential for minimizing heat transfer between home and the outdoors. Inadequate insulation can lead to significant energy loss. Pull back some drywall and evaluate the insulation. Consider adding insulation the attic, and in key areas of the walls and floors. Additionally, insulating the water heater and hot water pipes can help reduce energy wastage. By improving insulation, you can better regulate indoor temperatures, reduce the load on the HVAC system, and save energy.

3. Install Energy-Efficient Lighting

Lighting accounts for a significant portion of energy usage. Transitioning to energy-efficient lighting options, such as LED bulbs, can significantly reduce energy consumption. LED bulbs consume less electricity, have a longer lifespan, and emit less heat compared to traditional incandescent bulbs. By switching to energy-efficient lights, you can lower the electricity bills, and expect fewer calls to come and change a bulb!

4. Use Energy Star Appliances

Appliances contribute to a substantial portion of energy use, and you’re going to put in new ones anyway. So choose Energy Star-certified appliances, as they are specifically designed to reduce energy consumption without compromising performance—and cost the same. Look for an Energy Star labels on refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers and ACs.

5. Utilize Smart Home Technology

Incorporating smart home technology into your rehab not only looks sleek, it is energy efficient. Smart thermostats can automatically adjust the temperature based on occupancy patterns, ensuring energy is not wasted when no one is home. Smart lighting systems allow you/tenant to control lights remotely and set timers, preventing unnecessary energy usage.

It’s a no brainer: set a goal in your next rehab to lower the energy bill. By implementing the five tips in this blog post – energy efficient windows and doors, better insulation, energy efficient lighting, Energy Star appliances, and smart home technology – you’ll create a home that you, and your tenants, can feel great about!