Most homeowners don’t know how easy it is to make their homes run on less energy. Drastic reductions in heating, cooling and electricity costs can be accomplished through very simple changes, most of which homeowners can do themselves. Of course, for homeowners who want to take advantage of the most up-to-date knowledge and systems in home energy efficiency, you may want to consider contacting an area energy auditor to perform in-depth testing to find the best energy solutions for your particular home.
Why Would I Want to Make My Home More Energy Efficient?
There are many federal, state, utility and local jurisdiction financial incentives, such as tax breaks, that are very advantageous for homeowners. By making your home more energy efficient, it saves you money (it costs less to power a home that’s been converted to be more energy efficient). The increased energy efficiency will also go a long way toward increasing the comfort level inside your home. Homes that are more energy efficient produce less pollution (conventional power production introduces pollutants that find their way into the air, soil and water supplies). As a direct result of reduced pollution, the impact on climate change is also reduced (many scientists now believe that excessive energy consumption contributes significantly to global warming).
Insulate Your Doors and Windows
Plugging up the leaks that allow cold air to slip into your house—and drive up your heating bills—is an important first step in creating an energy-efficient home. Approximately one-third of a home’s total heat loss usually occurs through windows and doors. There are several ways in which homeowners can reduce energy lost through both of these areas:
- Seal all window edges and cracks with rope caulk;
- Windows can be weatherstripped with a special lining that’s inserted between the window and the window frame;
- Doors can be weatherstripped around the whole perimeter to ensure a tight seal when they’re closed;
- Installing storm windows in place of windows that only have single panes can go a long way toward keeping conditioned air in and unconditioned air out; and
- Repair or replace existing windows that have rotted or damaged wood, cracked glass, missing putty, poorly fitting sashes, or locks that don’t work
Keep Conditioned Air In and Unconditioned Air Out
Homeowners who ensure that their homes are sealed and insulated well are much better off than those who do not, as this is one of the most cost-effective ways to make a home more comfortable and energy-efficient. A tightly sealed home can improve comfort and indoor air quality while reducing utility bills at the same time. Because hot air rises, air leaks are most likely to occur in your home’s attic. Homeowners can perform a variety of repairs and maintenance to their attics that save them money on heating and cooling. Adding additional insulation can also help keep your home comfortable all year round. As energy costs rise, you might be looking for ways to be more energy-efficient without breaking the bank. Homeowners who take the initiative to make these and other changes usually discover that the energy savings they realize are more than worth the effort. Whenever you save energy, you can save money while reducing your environmental impact. Here at A to Z Window Screens, we’re dedicated to the highest level of customer care and work hard to make sure our neighbors throughout northern California are satisfied with our work. When you work with us, you can rest assured that your investment will be well worth it!