A lot of focus in the world today is on increased Energy Efficiency. This can be seen in the cars we drive, the products we buy and especially how we heat and cool our homes. A house that is Energy Efficient benefits not only the residents, but also the world around it.
There are many available options when it comes to increasing the Energy Efficiency of your home, and most can be implemented while keeping a low investment cost in mind. We are after all, trying to save money in both the short term and long term.
Below are some of the best improvements you can make in order to increase the Energy Efficiency of your home.
Replacing Standard Incandescent Light Bulbs with more efficient Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs
Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs) on average consume around 75 percent less energy than a Standard Incandescent Light Bulb will use.CFLs will also last much longer, sometimes even 10 times the lifetime of a standard bulb.
CFLs are affordable and are designed to fit directly into your current fixtures so no prior modifications are necessary.
Implementing CFLs will help to save approximately $20-30 dollars in terms of electricity cost during each bulb’s duration of use.
Please visit our CFL Store Page to view our extensive list of affordable lighting options.
Using an Infrared Heater to warm your home
The addition of an energy efficient Infrared Heater to your home is a great way to cut energy costs, and keep your house warm all at the same time.
Infrared Heaters are highly efficient in terms of heat distribution and energy efficiency, and are surprisingly affordable.
Please visit our Infrared Heater Information Page to learn more about Infrared Heaters.
Identifying Air Leaks in Your Home
An air leak in your home is a sure fire way to lose valuable energy, and increase the cost of keeping your house cold, or warm depending on the season.
Common Locations for Air Leaks:
- Windows
- Doors
- Attics
- Electrical Outlets
- Recessed Lighting
- Basements
One of the best ways to determine the location of air leaks in your home is to use an Infrared Thermometer.The Infrared Thermometer can be used to spot check certain trouble spots and identify the exact location of the air leak.
Using the Infrared Thermometer also allows you to determine the efficiency of your home by comparing the temperatures between the outside walls, and the interior walls. This provides you with valuable information indicating the effectiveness of your homes insulation.
Once an Air Leak is identified, silicon caulking, duct tape or others forms of insulation can be used to seal the gaps.
Properly Insulating Your Home
One of the most important aspects of increasing your Home’s Energy Efficiency is proper insulation. Proper insulation will help prevent air leaks, and will help maintain temperature.
Sealing windows and door jams with weather stripping will help to prevent heat loss. These areas are spaces that a lot of heat can escape through.
Expansion Foam Insulation is a fantastic way to fill small openings that play a huge role in heat loss. The foam is easy to install and can be applied to many areas that conventional insulation cannot be used.
Lastly, it is important not to forget about areas like your attic and basement. Because these can sometimes be portions of our house we don’t spend a lot of time in, it is easy to overlook the fact that they can contribute greatly to heat loss. In this scenario, weather stripping, foam insulation and standard fiberglass insulation are all valid solutions to the issue.
