If you’re wondering how to make your home in Birmingham, Michigan, more energy efficient, the good news is that you don’t need to start with major renovations or expensive upgrades. In fact, the path to lower utility bills, increased comfort, and a more eco-conscious lifestyle often begins with the simple things.
This guide will walk you through the most impactful ways to boost energy efficiency, from quick DIY fixes to more extensive improvements that deliver long-term savings. Whether you’re looking to shrink your carbon footprint or just cut back on rising energy costs, these strategies will help you make smarter, more sustainable choices for your Birmingham home.
Start With a Home Energy Audit
Before you change anything, you need to know where your home is losing energy. A home energy audit provides a comprehensive look at how your home uses — and wastes — energy.
Many utility companies offer free or low-cost energy audits. During an audit, a technician will inspect insulation, windows, appliances, and other key areas to identify any problem spots. You’ll receive a detailed report with recommendations tailored to your property. This process helps you prioritize upgrades based on what will give you the most return.
Alternatively, you can also conduct a basic DIY audit. Check for drafts near windows and doors, examine insulation in your attic, and review your electric bill history to spot spikes in usage.
Many utility companies offer free or low-cost energy audits. During an audit, a technician will inspect insulation, windows, appliances, and other key areas to identify any problem spots. You’ll receive a detailed report with recommendations tailored to your property. This process helps you prioritize upgrades based on what will give you the most return.
Alternatively, you can also conduct a basic DIY audit. Check for drafts near windows and doors, examine insulation in your attic, and review your electric bill history to spot spikes in usage.
Seal Gaps and Insulate Properly
Air leaks are among the most common sources of energy waste. When warm air escapes during winter — or cool air during summer — your HVAC system works harder than it should, which drives up your energy bills.
Start by sealing gaps around doors, windows, baseboards, and attic hatches using weatherstripping or caulk. For larger gaps, spray foam insulation may be more effective. You can also install door sweeps to block drafts at the bottom of exterior doors.
Next, focus on insulation, as poorly insulated attics and walls are a major source of heat loss. Upgrading your attic insulation can significantly improve your home’s ability to regulate temperature. If you live in an older home, it may be worth consulting a contractor about updating insulation in walls, basements, or crawlspaces.
Start by sealing gaps around doors, windows, baseboards, and attic hatches using weatherstripping or caulk. For larger gaps, spray foam insulation may be more effective. You can also install door sweeps to block drafts at the bottom of exterior doors.
Next, focus on insulation, as poorly insulated attics and walls are a major source of heat loss. Upgrading your attic insulation can significantly improve your home’s ability to regulate temperature. If you live in an older home, it may be worth consulting a contractor about updating insulation in walls, basements, or crawlspaces.
Upgrade to Energy-Efficient Windows
Windows play a crucial role in your home’s overall energy performance. If your current windows are single-pane or outdated, they’re likely letting in heat during summer and allowing warm air to escape during winter.
Double- or triple-pane windows with low-emissivity (Low-E) coatings help reduce heat transfer, maintain indoor comfort, and minimize the strain on your HVAC system. These windows also block harmful UV rays, which can help protect your flooring and furniture from fading over time.
If replacing all your windows isn’t feasible right now, consider applying insulating window film or installing thermal curtains. These low-cost alternatives still offer noticeable improvements and can help you stay comfortable throughout the year.
Double- or triple-pane windows with low-emissivity (Low-E) coatings help reduce heat transfer, maintain indoor comfort, and minimize the strain on your HVAC system. These windows also block harmful UV rays, which can help protect your flooring and furniture from fading over time.
If replacing all your windows isn’t feasible right now, consider applying insulating window film or installing thermal curtains. These low-cost alternatives still offer noticeable improvements and can help you stay comfortable throughout the year.
Make Smart HVAC Upgrades
Heating and cooling accounts for a significant portion of home energy use, so your HVAC system deserves special attention. If your system is more than 10–15 years old, replacing it with a high-efficiency model could lead to considerable savings over time.
Even if a full replacement isn’t in the budget, smaller changes can have a big impact. Start by scheduling regular maintenance. Changing the air filters every one to three months, cleaning out the ducts, and undergoing annual inspections can help your system run smoothly and efficiently.
Installing a programmable or smart thermostat is another worthwhile upgrade. These devices allow you to set temperature schedules based on when you’re home, away, or sleeping, reducing energy use without sacrificing comfort.
Even if a full replacement isn’t in the budget, smaller changes can have a big impact. Start by scheduling regular maintenance. Changing the air filters every one to three months, cleaning out the ducts, and undergoing annual inspections can help your system run smoothly and efficiently.
Installing a programmable or smart thermostat is another worthwhile upgrade. These devices allow you to set temperature schedules based on when you’re home, away, or sleeping, reducing energy use without sacrificing comfort.
Switch to LED Lighting
Lighting is one of the easiest places to improve efficiency. Swapping out incandescent bulbs for LED alternatives can cut lighting energy use. LEDs also last significantly longer, meaning fewer replacements and less waste.
You don’t need to replace every bulb at once. Start with high-use areas — such as the kitchen, living room, and exterior lights — and expand from there. Many LED bulbs now come in various shades and brightness levels, so you can find options that suit your preferences while still saving energy.
Consider installing dimmer switches or motion sensors in hallways or bathrooms. These additions help reduce unnecessary usage and contribute to your long-term savings.
You don’t need to replace every bulb at once. Start with high-use areas — such as the kitchen, living room, and exterior lights — and expand from there. Many LED bulbs now come in various shades and brightness levels, so you can find options that suit your preferences while still saving energy.
Consider installing dimmer switches or motion sensors in hallways or bathrooms. These additions help reduce unnecessary usage and contribute to your long-term savings.
Use Appliances More Efficiently
Today’s appliances are designed with energy savings in mind, but how you use them still matters. For example, running your dishwasher only when it’s full, using cold water for laundry, and air-drying clothes when possible all reduce energy consumption.
If you’re in the market for new appliances, look for ENERGY STAR® certified models. These products meet strict efficiency standards and often come with rebates. Smart power strips can also help minimize “phantom” energy use from electronics left plugged in, even when not in use. You can program these strips to shut off automatically or manage them remotely with an app, making it easier to avoid waste.
If you’re in the market for new appliances, look for ENERGY STAR® certified models. These products meet strict efficiency standards and often come with rebates. Smart power strips can also help minimize “phantom” energy use from electronics left plugged in, even when not in use. You can program these strips to shut off automatically or manage them remotely with an app, making it easier to avoid waste.
Take Advantage of Natural Light and Ventilation
You don’t always need high-tech solutions to make a difference. Taking advantage of your home’s natural features can go a long way toward improving efficiency.
Open the blinds and curtains during the day to reduce the need for artificial lighting. In cooler months, this can also help warm your space naturally. In warmer seasons, close the shades during peak sunlight hours to keep your home cooler.
Natural ventilation can reduce the need for air conditioning. Open the windows strategically to create cross-breezes, especially in the mornings and evenings when outdoor temperatures are more comfortable.
Open the blinds and curtains during the day to reduce the need for artificial lighting. In cooler months, this can also help warm your space naturally. In warmer seasons, close the shades during peak sunlight hours to keep your home cooler.
Natural ventilation can reduce the need for air conditioning. Open the windows strategically to create cross-breezes, especially in the mornings and evenings when outdoor temperatures are more comfortable.
Your Next Step Toward a Smarter Home
In the end, improving your home’s energy efficiency isn’t just about lowering your bills — it’s about creating a smarter, more comfortable space that supports your long-term goals. Every change adds up, and over time, you’ll see the difference not only in your utility costs but in the way your home functions and feels.
If you’re ready to find a wonderful home in Birmingham, Michigan, reach out to Shain Park, Realtors® for trusted insight.
If you’re ready to find a wonderful home in Birmingham, Michigan, reach out to Shain Park, Realtors® for trusted insight.
