If you are looking at making your home more energy efficient, there are several things that you can do. These include adding insulation, changing to double pane vinyl windows and installing a more efficient furnace. Each of these can help you to lower energy consumption and make your home more comfortable.
Many homes built before 1950 had no insulation installed when they were built. Other homes may have had insufficient insulation. Whenever your home was built, adding the enough insulation to bring the walls and ceiling of your home to the correct R value can help to lower your energy cost and keep your home from feeling drafty.
In many older homes wooden or aluminum windows were used. Often these older windows were single pane glass and they allowed a lot of heat loss. In addition, the single pane windows often allowed condensation to build up in the winter and this could lead to the formation of many different molds, including the unhealthy black mold.
Over time, wooden windows can become difficult to open or close and they may need to be replaced. Double pane vinyl windows are an easy choice. They remain easy to open for many years and the insulated double pane glass prevents heat loss and condensation.
In many homes, the original furnace is still in operation. While this may say a lot for the quality of that piece of machinery, it does not do much for your energy bill. These older furnaces were often very inefficient in their use of fuel. You could be paying much more for heat than you need to pay.
Your local utility company may offer a free energy audit for your home. The audit is an effective way to find out where your home is loosing head during the winter. You may find some simple changes that help to save you more money and keep your home more comfortable.
Many of the changes recommended by an energy audit can be inexpensive but will stop some of the draftiness of a home. By adding caulking around door and window facings, you can often stop cold air from penetrating your home and making it uncomfortable.
You may learn how to insulate switches and electrical outlets. If your covers to switches and outlets on outside walls are not insulated, try putting a hand over one of them and you will feel the cold air that is blowing into your home around this necessary item.
Make sure that your fireplace damper stays closed when the fireplace is not in use. Consider adding glass doors to prevent even more warm air from escaping from your home up the chimney when your fireplace is not being used for a fire. A fireplace pillow is an effective way to block a chimney.
For a lot of homes, the changes that need to be made can be inexpensive. In others, you will need to spend more money and may need to install new vinyl windows or a new furnace to save money. These changes will also help your to feel more comfortable in your own home as they will prevent drafts and cold spots in your home.
Quality windows doors manufacturer offers a large selection of vinyl windows and doors, bay/bow windows. View our range of replacement windows and patio doors. All back with our Stellar Lifetime Warranty that’s transferable from builders to home-owners.
