Poorly Insulated Windows Cost Homeowners Money
Poorly Insulated Windows Cost Homeowners Money
According to new data from the U.S. Census Bureau, there are over 120 million homes across the country that are five years or older and, because of their age were not built with energy saving features in mind, including insulated windows. But there are some inexpensive and relatively simple ways to to keep your older home insulated properly in summer and nice and toasty in winter, without having to make major upgrades.
The federal government says studies have shown that the largest percentage of a home's energy demand comes from the heating and cooling of the interior, however, many families are not in a position to handle the costs of the upgrading their heating and cooling systems. So, as an alternative, homeowners are taking matters into their own hands and searching for simple and effective do-it-yourself solutions, and that includes installing window treatments, cellular shades and blinds to keep the heat out in summer and help retain heat in winter.
ENERGY STAR PROGRAM, research studies report that poorly insulated windows in heating-dominated climates account for up to 25 percent of a typical home's heating cost and that in cooling-dominated climates, windows account for up to 50 percent of the cooling cost. That's a lot of energy focused directly on very specific places in a typical home that can easily be addressed .
Once effective option for is the installation of cellular shades. Cellular shades can improve the thermal performance of a home by minimizing heat loss through trapping air within the "cells" of the shades. These trapped-air pockets create a layer of insulation that help keep homes cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. This insulating effect reduces energy consumption, increases comfort and lowers energy bills. And, because they come in a wide variety of fabrics, colors, designs and textures, not only do cellular shades save you money they are fashionable. Your home gets a little makeover and and energy boost to boot. In addition, according to the manufacturers, most cellular shade products also provide high-grade sound absorption, so you also get a little quieter space in the upgrade.
Here's how cellular shades work: In addition to creating a layer of internal insulation for your home, cellular shades also interrupt the natural convective air flow that can create a chill factor.
Typically, as warm heated air strikes a window, it chills and falls, creating a feeling of a draft. Cellular shades reduce this phenomenon and, in the process increase your comfort level.
Something else homeowners should be aware of is the gaps around the windows and doors in an average American house are the equivalent of a 3 foot by 3 foot hole in the wall. Homeowners can use caulk and weather-strip to seal off these air leaks. Stopping air leaks in a home can save as much as 40 percent on a home's heating and cooling costs. And here are some other tips from ENERGY STAR for further improving your efficiency level without spending a mini-fortune.
Stop air from escaping under doors with "sweeps" or "shoes" attached to the bottom.
Use window putty to seal gaps around loose window panes.
Take advantage of the heat from the sun when possible by opening shades on the southern and eastern windows during the day and closing these shades when the sun goes down to keep the heat from escaping.
Install foam gaskets behind all the light switches and electrical outlet covers, even interior walls, to help seal the holes created when the outlets and light switches are built into homes. Use child safety plugs in all electrical outlets to keep the cold air from coming in through the sockets.
Improving Home Energy Performance With Super Insulating Windows Podnutz Laptop Repair Videos Torrent - Laptop Repair Videos Download Password Resetter Free Download - Password Resetter Windows 7 Windows vista code 10 error - What it is and how to fix it quickly The Rise of Car Body Repairs Enjoy Comfort with Windows VPS Solutions Windows mobile is the newest face of a Smartphone Microsoft on Tuesday began to roll out Windows Phone 7 update Remote Tech Support, A New Horizon For PC Repair E74 xbox 360 error repair advice Computer Clean Up Software To Repair Registry How to Install Windows 7 - Operating system installation made simple Learn how to repair wassily chairs