The weather is rapidly warming, and if your house lacks in energy efficiency, your cooling and heating bills will follow suit.

Many contemporary homes (constructed since 2003) feature more energy-efficient windows and materials than prior generations, although not all of them are up to par. If your home is older, it's likely that things like doors, windows, and air conditioning units may need to be replaced. If you have a home built within the last ten years, you may be fine on those major items, but there are a few more things you can do to make it cool in the summer, warm in the winter, and less expensive to run throughout the year.

Assess

The first step is to hold the rush to buy everything with an Energy Star label that catches your eye. Take a careful look around your house from top to bottom and give it a thorough inspection. Do some preliminary research by going online and learning what to look for on the Energy Star website for useful information and ideas.

Your common sense will tell you what you need, such as if you have a leaking sliding glass door or single-pane windows, you'll realize they need to be replaced at some time. However, there are a variety of options for making your home more energy efficient, many of which are simple and inexpensive.

Insulate and seal

The most important element of the energy upgrades is sealing and insulating the "shell" or outside of your home — the outer walls, windows, ceiling, doors, and floors. Seal all air leaks to discontinue drafts and keep the cool air in and the hot air out is the first step in keeping the home comfortable and cost-effective. Most likely, there are no leaks in your walls or ceilings, and if there are, that's a whole other discussion, but your windows and doors are second to none when it comes to keeping heat and cooling.

Single pane windows replaced with energy saving fiberglass or vinyl windows will block solar heat 70% or more and will reflect radiant heat in cold season. The same may be said for doors.

Check your heating and cooling system

Heating and cooling consume up to half of the energy in your home. Making informed choices about your home's heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system can significantly reduce your power expenditures. An average home spends more than $2,200 on energy expenses each year, which adds up quickly.

If your system is more than ten years old, you should consider replacing it. If you can't afford to replace it, having it maintained is a necessary. Maintain good service irrespective of the age of your system, and you will reap the benefits in the long term. Make sure the air ducts are in good working condition and are clean. The rooms may be at different temperatures if the ducts are dirty or damaged.

Do not turn on the thermostat

Choose a number that both you and your partner are relaxed with and stick with it. This can be a problem if one person like 70 degrees while the other prefers 78 degrees, but if you can find a happy medium, you will save money at the end of the month.

Install the thermostat away from heat and appliances, air registers, doorways, lighting, fireplaces, skylights, and energy-efficient windows, as well as any other spots that receive direct sunshine or heat. If your home has many heating and cooling zones, use a programmable thermostat for each zone. This will allow you to get the most out of your comfort, convenience, and energy savings.

Increase the insulation

There are numerous types of insulation that might benefit your home; however, do some study to determine which is best for you and your property. Fiberglass, cellulose, foam board, and spray foam have all been around for a while, but now Eco-Shield, a NASA-developed radiant barrier blanket, can stop 97% of radiant heat transmission through your attic. Eco-Shield is a maintenance-free, clean, and lightweight reflective foil insulation that provides immediate value to your home. Check here at Grand View Windows and Doors in OKC. For our full services, see the website.