Most homes in the United States have significant energy defficiencies, and this is costing their owners more energy dollars than they realize. According to Consumer Reports, only 12% of Americans have upgraded their home’s insulation and only 5% have insulated their heating and cooling ductwork
Many homeowners know that their home needs to be more efficient but do not know where their time and budget can make the most impact. There are many easy and effective ways to save energy dollars and improve the comfort level in your home at the same time. The experts at Windows on Washington did some research and gathered our top recommendations for energy efficient home improvements that will help you stay warm this winter while having a significant return on investment.
Eliminate Leaks – By eliminating air leakage in your home, you will not only keep the warm air in but also prevent drafts and stop dirt and unwanted little visitors from coming into your home for a warm nights stay.
- Many leaks occur in holes hidden in attics, basements and crawlspaces, and often go undetected. Check all of these areas for any air leakage and add spray foam insulation to prevent close up gaps.
- Electrical outlets located on outside facing walls are commonly overlooked, but are notorious for air leakage. Simply install foam gaskets behind the outlets and switch plates for an easy, affordable fix.
Insulation – If your attic does not have the proper level of insulation for the climate conditions of your geographic region, you are overspending on your utility bills.
- If the insulation in your attic is less than 11 inches of fiberglass or 8 inches of cellulose, consider adding more to keep the cold air in during the summer and the warm air in during the winter. Most homeowners will experience an immediate reduction in temperature variations after insulation is installed, which makes the house more comfortable. In addition, because it is a relatively inexpensive home improvement, the ROI is high since utility bills are often significantly reduced.
Ductwork – In a typical house, 20% of the air that moves through the duct system is lost due to leaks and poorly sealed connections.
- If the attic has exposed ductwork, you may be losing a significant amount of conditioned air (along with your utility dollars!) whenever your HVAC system is running. Most ductwork is rife with gaps, cracks and poorly sealed seams. By sealing these areas with duct joint tape, you will no doubt make your HVAC system more efficient.
- Additionally, an improperly balanced HVAC system can cause insufficient return airflow. This is a common problem characterized by a lack of “pull,” which in turn drastically reduces air movement out of the supply side register. A qualified HVAC professional or Energy Consultant can assess the airflow balance of the system and make proper recommendations for repair.
Windows and Doors – Windows are not like walls, they let the homeowner interact with their environment and unfortunately also cause heat loss from the home.
- Windows and doors are an obvious, but often overlooked, source of air leakage. All windows should be sealed with foam insulation and caulking to prevent leakage.
- Doors also benefit from this measure, and a simple door sweep can also be impactful.
- It might also be time to consider window replacement. ENERGY-STAR® qualified replacement windows are twice as efficient as the average window made just 10 years ago, and do a better job protecting your home from heat loss. For other indications that it is time to replace your windows, click here. Replacement windows carry a high ROI of up to 74.3%, and will begin to pay for themselves through reduced energy usage immediately.
At Windows on Washington, we give our customers the facts they need to make an informed decision. We take a consultative, no-pressure approach to answering all your questions and create a work scope that meets your home improvement needs. We pledge to help our customers any way we can – whether it is a quick fix or a full replacement window project. By providing our customers with quality products, expert workmanship and a lifetime warranty, we make homes more beautiful, comfortable and energy efficient. Windows on Washington is home improvement you can trust.
