Hot Temperatures Putting Your Utility Bill Through the Roof?
High energy prices have been on the rise in the United States. There are
ways that you can make your home hot weather ready while keeping cool in the
summer.
The first thing you may want to do is get an energy audit to see how energy
efficient your home really is. An energy auditor will come to the home and
check all major appliances, heating and cooling systems, as well as windows,
doors and insulation. The entire structure of the home will be assessed and
get an overall rating. This rating will also come with a report that will
give suggestions on how you can change the home, or make improvements to it
so it is more energy efficient.
There are some things you can check in your home to identify areas that are
in need of improvement. Check your garage walls, basement, attic and attic
stairway to see if there are any major drafts or areas where the insulation
is old or in need of replacement.
Check your central air conditioning system every spring and have it
serviced. This will make sure that it is working properly and efficiently so
that money is not wasted on leaks. You may also want to clean or replace the
filter once every two months and always seal any leaks or holes around
pipes, whether they be plumbing or heating.
Hire a contractor to seal any leaky ducts so that airflow is distributed
equally and the equipment is operating at peak efficiency.
Are your windows single or double pane? If they are single pane, you may
want to consider installing double pane windows with high performance glass.
This ensures that there are fewer drafts in the house.
Consider a programmable thermostat that can regulate the home's temperature
even when you are not home. That way, the air conditioning will not cool the
home when you are not home, or in the evenings when the air conditioning may
not be as necessary.
When you install window coverings, curtains, drapes or blinds, it helps seal
off the windows and doors from both any drafts and the sun. It can help keep
your house cool in the day by protecting the home from the sun's hot rays.
Consider ceiling fans as an alternate source of cooling. These ceiling fans
do not use as much energy as air conditioning and keep a bedroom very cool.
If you have room around the property of the house, consider planting a tree.
A tree can act as a natural cooling system for a house or bedroom window so
that the sun is not in direct contact with the home. When the sun is not
shining directly on the home, it can greatly decrease the heat that enters
in the house.
If you can not plant a tree to shield the house, you may want to invest in
applying a reflective coating to the roof. This reflective coating will
redirect the sun's rays, bouncing the heat off of the home. A dark roof
absorbs a lot of heat, so if you have one, consider getting a light roof
that will also reflect the sun's rays.
There are many options for energy-saving appliances. Some of them can be
great investments, but always check the energy claims to see if it really is
saving you energy and if it is something that you could use in your home.
If you feel that energy conservation in your home is something that you can
achieve, but need help with the investment to make all the improvements in
your home, you may want to check out an Energy-Efficient Mortgage (EEM). You
can get a loan towards the improvements of your house if the overall savings
in the utilities are greater than the cost of the home improvements. Ask
your energy auditor to help you determine the break even point where your
costs match your savings, and savings will begin to take place. In the long
term, great savings can be reaped by performing these home improvements.
Energy-Efficient Mortgages are a lot like normal mortgages, except you use
the money for home improvements. Interest rates are usually low and payments
and terms are negotiable. There are many lenders who offer this mortgage, so
ask around or go to your local bank to see if there is someone who can help
you. There are more papers to fill out and you must get an energy audit
before applying for an EEM. The energy auditor can assist you and the lender
in getting everything ready for the application process of the EEM. It takes
the work off of both you and the lender.
By making home improvements you can save a lot of money on your utility
bills and at the same time conserve energy. It's a win-win situation for
both your pocket book and environment.
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