4 Reasons Why an Efficient Home is a Healthy Home

Did you know that making your home more energy efficient also makes it a healthier living space? The reason is simple: A properly weatherized home with a functioning HVAC system keeps good stuff inside (like heat and air conditioning) and potentially harmful things outside (think moisture, pollen, and pests).

There are lots of ways to make your home healthier. Here are four places to get started.

Keep out moisture and pests with weatherization.

Is there anything worse than paying for heating and then letting all that warm air escape outside? Insulating and air-sealing your home will keep more heat where you want it—inside. It also creates a better barrier to keep the elements outside, so you'll have fewer leaks, better indoor air quality, and fewer unwelcome critters sneaking in through the cracks.

Here are some places to consider weatherizing:

Insulate your attic and basement. Simple batt insulation will help keep your home cozy. Just cut it to size and roll it out where you need it. Make sure to look for the highest R-value (warmth rating) that works for your space.
If cold air or moisture is coming in through your windows, consider upgrading to double- or triple-pane windows when the time comes. You can also use storm windows or window cling inserts during the winter.
If you can see daylight coming into your house around any of your windows or doors, it's time to seal up those cracks with spray foam insulation or weatherstripping. Another common leaky area is where pipes and electrical lines come into your house. You'll lose less heat to the outdoors, keep moisture out, and cut off that mouse superhighway.

Woman sealing edges of a window with a caulk gun

Breathe easier with a functioning HVAC system.

Keeping your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer is critical to your family's comfort. Your HVAC system is also a conduit for external air—and all the allergens and pollutants out there—to come into your home.

There are a few things you can do to help keep your interior air fresh and clean:

Make sure your HVAC system has an exterior air intake. Just like opening the window helps circulate fresh air, your HVAC system should be bringing in fresh air rather than just recirculating interior air. Your HVAC system will also dehumidify and filter any particles.
Regularly clean and replace all your HVAC filters. Those filters are what capture the bad stuff—allergens, pollutants, dust—before circulating the air into your home. As a bonus, systems with clean filters run more efficiently, so you might save a little on energy costs.

A person checking the filter on their HVAC system.

Reduce dust by cleaning your home regularly.

No one likes breathing in dust. Neither do your appliances. Here are a few appliances to keep an eye on:

Remove lint from your dryer vent to improve circulation. Your clothes will dry more quickly, and you’ll reduce any potential fire hazard.
Periodically clean your bathroom exhaust fan to be sure it’s not collecting dust.
If you have a dehumidifier or air purifier, make sure it's appropriately sized for the room. Always look for ENERGY STAR models, which are more efficient and can save money on your electric bill. Regularly check your filters and replace them when dirty to keep them running as efficiently as possible.
Dust off the coils on your refrigerator to keep it running smoothly.

A woman crouches to brush dust off a heating unit in her home.

Splish, splash: Find the right hot water temperature.

Your skin can get scalded when your water heater's temperature is too high. Overheating also uses more energy, so reducing the temperature can help you save money. But did you know that bacteria can grow if the temperature is too low? According to the CDC, there’s potential for legionella growth if your water temperature is set below 120.

You can also insulate your water heater with a "blanket" and use pipe wrap to insulate the pipes.

A technician adjust the temperature on a hat water heater

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