How To Improve the Energy Efficiency of Your Home

Is your energy bill a problem no matter how much you adjust the thermostat? Do you find that you have less and less control of your temperature every year? The energy efficiency of your home might be the culprit, as an aging house can let air escape and fail to protect your home against the elements.

Fortunately, improving the energy efficiency of your home doesn’t necessarily require an extensive renovation. By identifying the problem areas of your home, you can make the targeted repairs and replacements to drastically reduce your energy bill. Here are a few points of potential improvement.

Windows

The best place to start when assessing the energy efficiency of your home is your windows. First, you should check the U-Factor rating on all of your windows. These indicate the loss and infiltration of heat as measured by the National Fenestration Ratings Council.

For ideal energy efficiency, you want a low U-Factor rating, ideally within the 0.17 and 0.39 range, especially if you’re in a region with colder winters. Next you should check the SHGC rating for Solar Heat Gain. You want this one to be higher, with the ideal range of 0.42 to 0.63.

Under-performing windows are a leading cause of poor performance, and any that don’t meet these parameters should be replaced to optimize energy efficiency.

The Attic

Next, check the insulation in your attic. Heat naturally rises in your home, so subpar insulation will mean that a huge amount of air is escaping your home. Your insulation will naturally wear away over time; for full energy efficiency, your insulation should be about 16″ thick, and you should check for black spots or holes. If your insulation has degraded or worn away, you can fix these issues with a simple replacement.

Your Doors

All it takes is one compromised door to undermine the energy efficiency of your home. If your door is older, this is a prime culprit, as recent years have seen huge advancements in efficiency. If you can’t find one or the sticker is old, that means that your door could be the problem. Replacing it with a sturdier, newer option can drastically improve the climate control of your home.

Next, check if your doors have adequate weather stripping and thermal breaks. The easiest way to test this is by holding a flame to the cracks in the door. If the flame pulls towards the door, that means that air is escaping. This would also be the case if the door is sticking during warmer months.

Siding

If none of these seem to be the culprit, it’s time to look at your siding. Replacing your existing siding with insulated vinyl is an affordable way to increase the efficiency of your home. With a second layer of insulation, you can improve the efficiency of your home without compromising the look and aesthetic.

If you’re seeing any of these issues, we have the expertise to implement the necessary solution. If you’re experiencing any of these problems, or if you’d just like to discuss your options, contact us to begin reducing your energy bill today.