Making energy efficient upgrades to your home not only is good for the environment, it also can save you lots of money when your bills are due. The only issue is that you might not know where to start. There are so many options to just throw money into but not all of them are as good as you would like to think. Here are some of the best energy efficient improvements to make.

New Windows and Doors

If you live in an older house with windows and doors that haven't been replaced in years, it's likely you are losing a considerable amount of money on your heating and cooling costs. Over the years, your house shifts and settles, and doors and windows no longer fit their frames the way they once did, leaving gaps and cracks for air to get through. Also, newer windows come with either double or triple panes, which are much better at keeping the air in that you want in and keeping the air out that you don't than older single-pane windows.

Programmable Thermostat

A programmable thermostat helps improve your energy efficiency by optimizing the use of your heating and cooling systems. During the summer, for example, you can set your thermostat to raise the temperature during the day when you aren't there and then gradually raise it in the hour or two before you arrive home. In the winter, you can set your thermostat to lower the temperature during the day and at night while you are sleeping. Being able to program your thermostat allows you to use less energy and save money.

Adding Insulation

Another way to be energy efficient in your home is to add or update your current insulation. Insulation in walls, floors and ceilings helps to keep warm air in in the winter and cold air out, while doing the reverse in the summer. Reitzel Insulation Co Ltd insulation also keeps pipes in walls and under floors warm during the winter so they don't freeze. If you can afford blown-in insulation, it works great for hard-to-reach areas.

Low-flow Water Devices

You'd be surprised how much water you waste in your home on a daily basis, but there's a way you can cut down on that. Installing flow-restricting devices on your toilet as well as a low-flow shower head can cut your water usage by hundreds of gallons a month. Though this won't save you a ton of money, it will give you the peace of mind that you are doing your part to help the environment.

Having an energy efficient home is the dream of so many of us. There are many energy efficient upgrades you can make to your home, some simple and inexpensive, some that are complex and costly. Choose the ones that make the most sense for you. These upgrades might set you back but remember that you are going to make some of that money back over time due to lower bills at the end of the month.