Posts Tagged Energy Efficiency

Tips for Purchasing Energy-Efficient Windows

Purchasing replacement windows will put money back into your pocket if you choose to replace your old existing windows with new energy-efficient windows. You will especially notice a difference during the hot summer months and cold winter months.

It’s important to remember your current location and the design and layout of your home. This plays a major role on the style and selection of energy-efficient windows you select for your home.

A family living in the northern region will need different windows than a family living in the southern region. The environment and climate conditions are entirely different, and windows will need to serve each purpose.

The windows you select should be purchased by the design of your home. The direction and size of the windows are more important than one would think.

In hot or heat dominated regions, windows facing south should be heavily glazed. This is done to make efficient use of solar heat during the cold and bitter winter months. The windows should also possess a solar heat gain co-efficient of more than .6 but a U-factor of less than .35 to assure heat transfer is reduced during the hot and humid summer months.

Read the rest of this entry »

[del.icio.us] [Digg] [Facebook] [Google] [Propeller] [Reddit] [Technorati] [Twitter] [Yahoo!]

,

No Comments

Home Improvements that Pay Off

In times of economic uncertainty it is only natural that we try to save money. We cancel expensive vacation trips, cut on leisure, postpone the purchase of that brand new car, and put off major expenditures such as home remodeling and repairs. The idea is to stretch our hard earned dollars and save everything we can, in case we come to face even tougher times

However, forfeiting some renovation projects and important repairs might not be the smartest choice. That outdated HVAC system, the old windows, and cold basement might be costing you big bucks. The next rainstorm may flood your basement. In other words, the money you’re trying to save in repairs might be being spent instead in utility bills or depleted in bigger repairs later on due to the lack of proper preventive measures.
Even in tough times, there are some improvements that actually pay off, lowering your energy consumption, preserving or increasing the property value, and giving you much-needed peace of mind.
Below is a list of the five of the most cost-effective home improvements and the best investments you can ever make in your home.
Read the rest of this entry »

[del.icio.us] [Digg] [Facebook] [Google] [Propeller] [Reddit] [Technorati] [Twitter] [Yahoo!]

, , , , , , , , ,

No Comments

Energy Efficiency Through the Roof

When many people think of energy efficiency, they think of power sources, turning off the lights, using less gas, maybe the utilization of solar panels for a single home or a wind farm for an entire community.  However, energy efficiency can come in the form of new roofing materials developed by professionals, with different climates and budgets in mind.  A new roof is a major investment, but don’t let the prospect take its toll on your mind.  The right roof can save you an astronomical amount of money in the cost of energy.  The right roof will keep you and your family safe and comfortable for the rest of the life of your home.

In general, homes with slanted roofs will use energy efficient metal or tile roofing materials.  Metal reflects sunlight and is very durable.  Tile is made of clay or concrete, both of which are sustainable and eco-friendly.  Often, tile roofing can have an additional energy efficient coating added.

Read the rest of this entry »

[del.icio.us] [Digg] [Facebook] [Google] [Propeller] [Reddit] [Technorati] [Twitter] [Yahoo!]

, ,

No Comments

Easy steps, big savings.

Saving money

Saving money

The Baltimore Sun’s Home and Garden session this week brings us a nice article, listing some easy (and fairly inexpensive) home improvements that will help you save a lot of money in utilities, cut energy use, and make the house more energy efficient.

Cut energy use, make your home efficient with easy steps — baltimoresun.com.

There is, however, a single great improvement the article fails to mention: crawl space encapsulation.

For homes with dirt or concrete crawl spaces, this process is proven to make the whole house on average 18% more energy efficient and improve indoor air quality by protecing the crawl space against moisture and related problems such as mold, rot, dust mites and structural decay.

[del.icio.us] [Digg] [Facebook] [Google] [Propeller] [Reddit] [Technorati] [Twitter] [Yahoo!]

, ,

No Comments

Going Green: Does it pay off?

Not too long ago,  “green” homes were pretty much a trend followed by the few people who actually had the time and money to research and implement “green” technologies in the name of environmental responsibility.

While newer homes were being built more and more eco-friendly, retrofitting an existing home  just to make it more energy efficient was something very few would consider. Environmentally responsible technologies were scarce, and not exactly cost effective.

But, all of that has changed.  Today, there is a myriad of green remodeling solutions for just about every application. From home finishes, insulation and sealing to energy-efficient appliances, and green heating and cooling technologies.

Read the rest of this entry »

[del.icio.us] [Digg] [Facebook] [Google] [Propeller] [Reddit] [Technorati] [Twitter] [Yahoo!]

,

No Comments