Everyone wants to lower their monthly utility bills, and one of the best ways to do it is upgrading your bathroom for energy efficiency. While the bathroom might be one of the smallest rooms in a home in terms of square footage, but it’s actually one of the more costly when it comes to utilities.
Energy-Efficient Ways to Get Fresh Air Indoors in Winter
March 2, 2018
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) contends that indoor air quality is often worse than outdoor air quality. The obvious solution to indoor pollution problems is to ventilate your home to introduce fresh air and/or remove pollutants, but this can be challenging during the wintertime in cooler climates.
While open windows and fans can bring fresh air inside, this action naturally allows heat to escape.
Green roofs (also known as "living roofs") have become increasingly more common in recent years. They're essentially when you build a garden on top of a roof. They not only pretty nice to look at, but also great for the environment too. Some cities have even offered tax incentives to encourage homeowners and business owners to implement green roofs at home and on their commercial buildings.
A water heater may be a basic component of your home, but it is essential for comfort and convenience. Not all of these appliances are created equal in terms of energy efficiency. So, how do you know if it’s time to upgrade?
On average, a water heater accounts for 18 percent of a home’s overall energy usage, which translates to about $170 to $300 per year in operating costs.
Skylights are much more than design elements. They can provide natural light, and when strategically placed, these roof-top windows can help heat and cool a building using the principles of ventilation and solar gain. As a result, skylights can assist in reducing energy costs on both lighting and climate control.
Most North American homes utilize forced-air heating , with boilers, furnaces, and radiators being the most common. These forced-air systems are a mainstay in the North American home because they require little to no new utility line runs. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), their efficiency has also increased, with more recent models touting at least 90% fuel utilization efficiency.
High-Efficiency Furnaces: Are High Efficiency Furnaces Worth It?
January 10, 2018
On paper, high-efficiency furnaces seem like a good investmentin energy bills and the environment. There are levels of efficiency among the high-efficiency furnaces, and their prices reflect it. Your geographical location will help determine what level is adequate for you. To evaluate the upfront cost of a high-efficiency furnace, you should take a holistic view of your current furnace’s ongoing costs.
Sealing around doors and windows is a moderate-to-difficult do-it-yourself project, according to the EPA’s Energy Star program. But don’t let that deter you – the materials are inexpensive, and the results can be significant for homes with inadequate caulking and weatherstripping. Combining sealing with other improvements, such as windows, doors, and insulation can further maximize energy efficiency.
A whole-house window replacement is an improvement investment with one of the most significant impacts on energy efficiency. Almost every exterior wall of your home has a window. Even if all exterior walls have proper insulation, an old single-pane window or poorly insulated frames will result in energy losses.
Homeowners Boost Comfort and Ease Stress through PACE Financing
October 31, 2017
Alex and Dannit Pierce had outgrown their South Florida home. Enticed by a new friendly neighborhood full of other children for their three to play with, the Pierces relocated to Weston in 2014. Before moving in, the couple renovated and updated the home to suit their tastes. “We changed everything except for the roof,” Dannit said.
Autumn is an important season for home maintenance, as colder weather sets in. Both major and minor upgrades and repairs can significantly lower energy bills and give homeowners confidence. After all, the harsh winter weather that follows can wreak havoc on a home. In colder climates, winter is the most expensive season for homeowners due to heating costs. Since it is impossible to live in a four-season region without a functioning furnace or water heater, emergency repairs can pop up anytime.
Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing helps homeowners afford many home improvements. Administered at a local level, PACE programs cover many renewable energy and water-saving features as well as efficiency upgrades and storm protection improvements in areas where PACE has been approved.
