If you are looking at making your home more energy efficient, there are several things that you can do. These include adding insulation, changing to double pane vinyl windows and installing a more efficient furnace. Each of these can help you to lower energy consumption and make your home more comfortable.
Many homes built before 1950 had no insulation installed when they were built. Other homes may have had insufficient insulation. Whenever your home was built, adding the enough insulation to bring the walls and ceiling of your home to the correct R value can help to lower your energy cost and keep your home from feeling drafty.
In many older homes wooden or aluminum windows were used. Often these older windows were single pane glass and they allowed a lot of heat loss. In addition, the single pane windows often allowed condensation to build up in the winter and this could lead to the formation of many different molds, including the unhealthy black mold.
Over time, wooden windows can become difficult to open or close and they may need to be replaced. Double pane vinyl windows are an easy choice. They remain easy to open for many years and the insulated double pane glass prevents heat loss and condensation.
Many homes are also still operating with the original furnace or a model that was built before there was much concern about energy efficiency. While these older furnaces may do a adequate job at heating your home, they can often cost more to operate than a newer furnace would cost.
Many local utility companies offer an energy audit. This service often does not cost you anything. The audit will help you to know areas that you should address as you attempt to make your home more energy efficient.
The energy audit can offer advice on other ways that are often inexpensive which can make your home more comfortable. You might be advised to add caulking around doors and windows where cracks can develop over time and allow cold air as well as pests to enter into your home.
You may learn how to insulate switches and electrical outlets. If your covers to switches and outlets on outside walls are not insulated, try putting a hand over one of them and you will feel the cold air that is blowing into your home around this necessary item.
If you have a fireplace, be sure that you keep it closed when not in use. In addition, you may find a device such as a fireplace air pillow that both insulates and further blocks the chimney when the fireplace is not in use to be a useful tool for you.
In many homes, it only takes a few small changes to make a real difference in the comfort level of the home. While some homes can benefit from such updates as insulation and vinyl windows, others simply need the help of a few inexpensive fixes. Make these changes and you can realize a real difference.
Author Resource:
Canadian windows and doors manufacturer specializing in vinyl window manufacturing technology. Offering high quality vinyl windows, replacement windows, bay windows and doors. http://www.windowcity.net/
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