6 NYC Energy Efficient Home Improvements

As we start the new year, we look forward to finding ways to improve and enrich our lives. In recent years, New Yorkers have increasingly been adopting sustainable lifestyle alternatives, such as purchasing an electric vehicle. One resolution that NYC homeowners are making is energy efficient home improvements.

Facing the reality of climate change and ever-rising energy costs, improving your home’s energy efficiency is one of the best ways to save money on bills, add value to your home, and reduce your personal carbon footprint!

What are energy efficient home improvements?

Energy efficient home improvements can be any type of home renovation or upgrade that helps improve indoor air quality, regulate indoor temperatures, lower energy usage, and overall increase comfort in your home. 

A few examples of energy efficient improvements include: upgrading or adding insulation, professionally sealing your home, and installing solar panels. Installing solar panels and converting to a clean power source not only lowers monthly ConEd bills but also increases buyer interest in your market.

Want to make your NYC home more energy efficient? Schedule a free consultation today and learn how you can switch to solar for $0 down!

Why are energy efficient home improvements important?

Energy efficient homes in general have been gaining popularity with homebuyers within the last few years. This means that when people are looking into purchasing a home, one thing that they look for and prefer is a home that is more sustainable. An energy efficient home not only raises your home’s value, it also saves money on monthly bills and creates a more comfortable indoor environment.  

How can I benefit from energy efficient home improvements?

Energy efficient home improvements have a lot of advantages for you and your home. Here are a few ways you can benefit from creating a more sustainable home: 

• Save money on monthly energy bills
• Reduce environmental impact
• Increase the value of your home
• Improve indoor air quality
• Get tax credits from the IRS to help install energy efficient home improvements

What tax credits are available for energy efficient home improvements?

2023 is the year that the United States is rolling out the federal climate legislation included in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Tax credits and rebates are now available for businesses and individuals who are aiming to reduce their carbon footprints with clean energy and all-electric upgrades. Some of these incentives include:

• 30% federal tax credit for installing residential solar
• 30% federal tax credit, up to $2,000, for installing a heat pump
• Up to $7,500 rebate for purchasing an electric vehicle, depending on make and model

The IRA is making the switch to renewable energy more affordable and will hopefully ensure a more stable economy and environment!

6 Ways to Make Energy Efficient Home Improvements in NYC

Professionally Seal Your Home

Air leaks in homes tend to form around windows, doors, and light fixtures. These air leaks create heat loss and energy waste in homes and take part in utility bill increases. The typical home loses more than 25% of its heat through windows. 

To help seal your home, investing in energy-efficient windows (and doors) with an Energy Star® label will boost your home’s energy efficiency. Adding storm windows can also be a lower-cost alternative as well.

Upgrade Your Appliances

After sealing your home, upgrading old heating, ventilating, and air conditioning units (HVAC system) to energy-efficient appliances is a great way to improve your home’s energy efficiency. When shopping for new appliances, look for the Energy Star® Label. This means the appliances have met the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s energy-saving standards.

Upgrading to more energy-efficient light bulbs can also help your home by using up to 90% less energy than a standard light bulb (and they can last up to 15 times longer too). 

Additional Home Insulation

Insulation creates an optimal thermal boundary between your home and the outdoors. Upgrading your attic insulation or wall insulation will help keep your home’s temperature regulated all year round and save you money on monthly energy bills.  

Switch to an Electric Heat Pump Water Heater

Water heating is about 15% to 25% of annual energy usage in homes. Making the switch to an electric heat pump water heater can save you an average of $350 on energy bills annually, whereas (according to Energy Star) tankless water heaters only give homeowners about $20 in annual savings. After making the switch, you can now use your hot water with more peace of mind.

Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat

Smart thermostats are programmable and have the ability to learn your home’s temperature preferences. This is very helpful in saving energy when no one is home. Also, having smart devices installed in your home also raises its value. 

Install Solar Panels

Switching from natural gas, and other nonrenewable fossil fuels, to solar power helps homeowners reduce their carbon footprints and become more independent from their local utility companies. Interestingly, solar panels also have a cooling effect on your home by preventing sunlight from directly hitting your roof. 

Electric home appliances and solar panels go hand in hand – powering your electric hot water heaters, heat pumps, and electric vehicles with solar energy gives you an even greater bang for your buck. Investing in solar energy is a great way to reduce energy bills, create more value for your home, and increase sustainability in your home. 

Want to know if your brownstone can switch to solar? Schedule a free consultation today.

Start Making Energy Efficient Upgrades to Your NYC Home Today

With the continuous rise in ConEd bills and NYC homeowners becoming more conscious of their environmental impact, energy efficient home improvements are more important now than ever before! 

Ready to start your energy efficient home renovation and raise the value of your home? Schedule a free consultation today to find out how much you can save with solar.