Home Improvement Projects for an Energy-Efficient New Year

As 2025 kicks in to full gear, now is the perfect time to look around your home and find ways to improve energy efficiency, comfort and indoor air quality. With these simple projects, you can improve your indoor space and enjoy lower energy bills in the new year and beyond.

Install low-flow showerheads

Standard showerheads use 2.5 gallons-per-minute or more. WaterSense-labeled models can save water and energy while still providing a comfortable flow.

• Turn off water sources for both hot and cold at the faucet.
• Unscrew your existing showerhead by turning counter-clockwise.
• Clean off the shower arm threads and make sure they are dry.
• Apply Teflon thread-sealing tape, wrapping the tape two or three times around the threads.
• Hand tighten the new showerhead on to the shower arm. Be careful not to over tighten.
• Run the shower and check for leaks. If it leaks, gently tighten with a wrench using a cloth to protect the finish.

Air seal your basement

Air leaking into your basement can make the space feel colder and increase your winter energy bills.

• Check for gaps in the rim joists, where the wall meets the ceiling, as well as plumbing and wiring holes on outside walls.
• Caulk is best for sealing gaps or cracks that are one-quarter inch or smaller.
• Use spray foam insulation to fill gaps up to three inches.
• Fill larger gaps by cutting and stuffing pieces of insulation.

Insulate hot water pipes

Heat loss through unprotected hot water pipes can cost you. Pipe insulation is readily available at your local DIY retailer.

• Starting at the water heater, measure the length of insulation needed to cover accessible pipes.
• Cut the insulation to the lengths needed.
• Place the insulation on the pipe with the seam or opening facing down.
• Tape the insulation every foot or so to secure it to the pipe

Air seal your attic

Leaks in unfinished attics can waste energy, even when adequate insulation is installed.

• Locate all ceiling fans, recessed lighting fixtures and electrical outlets in the ceiling below your attic. Each of these is a potential source of air leakage.
• From the attic, pull back the insulation to find the cutouts and seal them with caulk or expandable foam.
• Check for and seal gaps around plumbing vents, furnace flues and ductwork.
• Seal the attic access with weatherstripping.

Switch to smart outlets

Replace older electric outlets with smart models. Smart outlets automatically shut off power to unused plugged-in devices. And, you can control them from your smartphone or voice assistant.

• Turn off power to the outlet you're working on.
• Remove the outlet trim and disconnect the old outlet.
• Connect the new outlet wires — white to white and black to black. Attach the green wire to the bare ground wire.
• Attach the wired outlet to the box and install the new trim.
• Download the outlet control app and add the outlet to your system.

Contact a qualified electrician if you don't feel comfortable doing the work yourself.

Take a little time now to save on energy bills, and enjoy a more energy efficient 2025!