Tips for Greening Your Home NOW!
Your existing home may be full of character, but it may also be cold, drafty, dusty and uncomfortable with high energy bills arriving monthly, ice dams clogging your gutters each winter, and rooms that never seem to cool in summer --- no matter how low you set the thermostat.
We can certainly help you address these problems on a large scale, with a thorough energy audit and home improvements that really make a significant impact, but you’ll be glad to know that there are many things you can do yourself for effective and immediate, albeit smaller, gains.
You can start by installing a programmable thermostat. It will help you save energy while you are away from home. Next, you can replace light bulbs around the house with Energy Star qualified compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). These are more expensive than regular light bulbs, but they are well worth it. They reduce your electric bills and pay for themselves quickly, in about six months! You can also conserve energy used for heating water by turning down the temperature on your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. You’d be surprised how much lowering the temperature even just a few degrees can save.
To go further, focus on reducing air leakage and moisture infiltration. To do this really well, I advise you get in touch with us, an award-winning company with expertise in these areas, but there are some steps you can take on your own that might help a bit.
Find and seal leaks: Check around windows, doors and even recessed lights. Look for holes in attics, basements and crawlspaces and seal these leaks with caulk, spray foam, or weather stripping, until a more thorough approach is feasible. It will help.
Add insulation: You’ll have the easiest time of it --- and the biggest savings --- in the attic. Make sure your insulation covers the floor joists and go for R-38, at least!
Seal ducts: It is reported that about 20 percent of the air that moves through the duct system in a typical existing home is lost due to leaks and poorly sealed connections. You won’t be able to do much about ducts concealed behind walls or in floors, but if you put some duct tape and insulation to work in exposed ducts, you’ll make a difference!
These things can tide you over until you are ready for more meaningful changes and their many benefits --- like reduced monthly energy expenses, energy rebates and even tax credits! When you are ready, though, call us. It’s a great time to go green!