Going green and making home energy improvements is a sure way to turn your home into a more eco-friendly, sustainable and healthy environment for you and your family. There are multiple benefits to energy retrofits: you reduce your carbon footprint, add value to your home and cut your utility bills, which enables you to invest your money into other areas of your life and have a healthier and more satisfying lifestyle.

Each home is different and the choice of retrofitting solutions is large, so it’s best to do detailed research to find out what would be the most effective system for you that will give you highest returns without clearing out your bank account.

Here are some ideas on how to realize your energy improvement project in the most cost-effective way.

Budget-friendly retrofits

Even on a very small budget, you can easily start your energy-saving retrofits by replacing your traditional light bulbs with LED ones. Their biggest advantage is the amount of energy they consume, which is about 25-80% less than the traditional lights. In addition to this, they can last from 5 to 25 times longer. In this way, they will save you a lot of energy and cut your power bill significantly.

Another big energy consumer in your home is your kitchen equipment. Investing in replacing your existing kitchen appliances with those marked Energy Star will not only cut your energy bill but it will also add to the resale value of your home.

Finally, there’s your heating/cooling system. With the traditional HVAC system, make sure the filters are cleaned on a regular basis so the system doesn’t go into overdrive to achieve the same results. Having a thermostat installed is a great addition as it gives you the option to set the climate control system so it reaches the optimal temperature at minimal cost.

Serious upgrades

According to more experienced homeowners who have done some energy retrofitting to their homes, the best way to go is to combine the installation of energy-efficient equipment with other, more serious upgrades, such as new doors and windows, home insulation and solar panels. By doing this, the energy savings become more obvious and tangible.

However, most people do not opt for these improvements unless they are absolutely necessary and mostly because their price tag is quite big. You can get great advice from energy experts and inspectors who can help you choose the best improvements for your home. Another great option is applying for additional budgeting options, such as the Ygrene Home Improvement Financing, for instance, which can help you pay for all of your larger upgrades with no upfront costs and balloon payments, with just one competitive rate locked long-term and paid through your property tax.

With additional funds available, you can opt for a bundle package that includes your doors and windows, insulation and solar panels.

Newer models of energy-efficient windows and doors are great at eliminating drafts and regulating the indoor temperature. They are more expensive, but well worth the investment in the long run.

Insulating your home is one of the best retrofits that you can do as proper insulation from the basement to the attic significantly reduces heat loss and saves overall heating/cooling costs.

The final option to consider is installing solar panels that greatly contribute to the general energy-efficiency of your home in addition to being one of the best eco-friendly upgrades that give you an environmentally-friendly source of energy and lower your carbon footprint.

Home energy improvements are not a passing trend but an ongoing process that can significantly improve the quality and comfort of our daily lives and seriously reduce our carbon footprint and demand we impose on natural resources. With all the affordable financing options, this goal is easily achievable but if you don’t take the plunge, you aren’t saving anything yet. And, there’s no better time to start than right now!