Energy efficiency is important to home owners for several reasons—an energy efficient home not only reduces utility bills, it also lessens your carbon footprint. If you live in an older home, it may not be easy or affordable to totally update your house to be completely energy efficient in a short amount of time. But there are a number of things you can do over time to increase the energy efficiency of your house. If you want lower utility bills and the sense of satisfaction in knowing that you're helping the environment, consider the following tips: 

Upgrade Your Insulation

Older homes can often lack proper insulation that can help keep a home cool in the summer and warm in the winter. One thing you can do is upgrade the insulation in your attic, especially if the current insulation is very old or has a low R-value. In order to ensure that your home is insulated as well as possible, look into spray foam insulation. This type of insulation is sprayed into open space in your walls and can instantly make your home more energy efficient, especially if you focus on having spray foam insulation sprayed into the exterior walls of your home. contact a company like High Country Insulation for more information.

Buy a Programmable Thermostat

A programmable thermostat can save you money while also preventing your heating or cooling system from running too much while you are not at home. Installing a programmable thermostat will allow you to regulate the temperature in your home throughout the day, so you don't have to heat or cool the house when nobody's home.

Think About Energy Efficiency When Buying New Appliances

As a homeowner, if you live in a house long enough, you will most likely have to replace appliances as they get old and cease to work properly. When shopping for new appliances, consider spending a little bit more on models that are highly rated for energy efficiency. You may spend slightly more on an energy efficient washer, dry, dishwasher, or refrigerator, but these items can usually last for years, so any extra money spent initially will result in savings in the long run.

Weatherproof Your Home

Small cracks around windows and doors can allow outside air in, which can make it a lot more expensive to keep your home at a comfortable temperature. Take the time to caulk any small cracks around windows, and replace weather stripping on doors if you can see any light when the door is completely closed.