subject: Tips For Making Your Home Energy Efficient [print this page] With utility bills perpetually on the rise, many homeowners are having a hard time keeping up with the rising costs. People are seeking out measures to reduce their expenses by enhancing the energy efficiency of their home. An easy way to make your home energy efficient is to install or improve insulation in your house. Insulation restricts the flow of heat which seeks cooler areas. Since, the tendency of heat is to flow from a warmer to cooler areas; your house gets affected adversely when heat flows out in winters and comes in during summers.
Generally the heat escapes through the lofts, windows, doors and outside walls, as well as various gaps or cracks in the building structure. In order to have effective insulation, air sealing is important to fill all the gaps. In addition, you can replace the old aluminum and wood windows with energy efficient Retro windows, which including replacement and vinyl windows. As insulation restricts the flow of heat, it makes the house warmer during winters and cooler during summers, saving on heating and cooling costs. Furthermore, proper insulation also helps in reducing noise as insulation acts as a sound absorber and restricts sound transmission from one room to another. Hence, a well insulated home apart from cutting costs makes your house more comfortable.
However, before installing insulation you must get an insulation audit done in order to know the amount of insulation required. The insulation needed varies from one home to another as these are dependent on various factors such as building structure, climate and energy costs. Depending upon the insulation required, you can choose from the various types of insulations available in the market, such as blown-in insulation and spray radiant barrier. Fiberglass, cellulose, mineral wool and foam are also some good insulation options that you can opt for.
Proper installation with the right material is important for maximizing the benefits of insulation; hence one must wisely make such decisions. You may use Spray radiant barrier for attics, roof and ceilings, as it provides better coverage; while for areas that are hard to reach, you may use blown in fiberglass insulation. You can properly insulate your home through a combination of different insulation materials.
All this will definitely make your home energy efficient and comfortable, along with helping you save on utility bills. Moreover, installing insulation, Retro windows, Vinyl windows and more to make home energy efficient requires investment; and the rebates offered by different government programs can lessen the financial burden slightly. Furthermore, proper insulation also increases the financial value of your property.
