More and more homeowners are becoming concerned with their home's efficiency with regards to heating and cooling. There are different reasons for conducting a home energy audit. They all boil down to saving money, but not necessarily in the way one might think.
The average homeowner that has an energy audit conducted is primarily concerned with preventing drafts and air leakage that will force their HVAC system to work longer and harder than it should. Again, while this is the main focus, several other benefits can manifest of which the homeowner is unaware.
Once the energy audit is completed and the results are compiled and presented, the homeowner will want to better insulate those areas that are problem areas. This will greatly reduce, if not eliminate, the drafts and leaks that were present thereby saving money on running the HVAC system as much.
A common and prevalent problem area in almost every existing structure is heat loss passing through the ceiling and slowly seeping through the attic insulation. Choosing the correct insulation is paramount. A radiant barrier will solve the problem, but not every problem area will require the same type of insulation. Leaks at the windows, doors, and even insulation around the water heater need to have specific types just for their own application such as spray foam insulation.
By correctly insulating problem areas, a second benefit is to the family's health. Any moist air that has penetrated the envelope of the house has the potential to cause mold and can provide health risks and increase healthcare costs. Although this is not a widely rampant situation from just a few small air leakages, it is something to be concerned about. Those families that live in a humid region and have a member with asthma or other respiratory condition should be even more concerned given the nature of these conditions.
Providing that the problem areas are remedied, a home energy audit can improve the perceived quality of the home when it comes time to sell. Showing that a home's energy efficiency is high is a strong selling point and is becoming a major concern to prospective home buyers as energy costs continue to increase.
The last major benefit is that the home will just be more comfortable to live in for the family. Life is short, but if it isn't comfortable, it can be much longer and more miserable than can be imagined.
For more information and guidance about radiant barriers and energy efficiency, visit http://www.utilityimprovements.com. Utility Improvements offers Temper Shield, a radiant barrier product that can be installed economically.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Proper Insulation Will Keep You Comfortable and Save Money
The public has finally received a break from high oil and fuel prices, but those prices have started to slowly creep up again. The past has shown that energy cost will continue to rise in the future and Americans have very little control over the price of foreign energy suppliers. Other than using less energy, making homes less than comfortable, the only solution is to build a better home. What if the home has already been built, though?
While retrofitting and upgrading a home's energy efficiency can be expensive, the cost is nowhere near dumping more and more money into the hands of the oil or electric company to heat and cool one's home. Improving a home's efficiency is the best option and investment. What are a homeowner's options? The answer is it depends.
If a home's energy is provided by the electric company then solar panels would be a smart investment. What about those homes, and there are millions, that depend on oil or gas to heat? Upgrading the insulation in the attic is key to improving comfort and expense. Why the attic and what type of insulation is best? Two good questions.
Just like people lose most of their body heat through their head, homes lose the heat through the attic. While covering a house with a large blanket or hat would be unrealistic and silly, lining the attic floor or rafters with a blanket would be practical. Traditional batting or fiberglass insulation won't really help that much. This type of insulation is like wearing just a knitted sweater on a cold and windy day. There are holes in each of these layers that just slow the cold air moving through.
There are a plethora of insulation types available on the market, but none are as easy and effective as a radiant barrier. A thermal or radiant barrier is needed to reflect the home's warmth back down into the home and prevent the cold from descending through. Much like covering over an apple pie with aluminum foil to keep it warm, radiant barriers line the attic floor keeping the living quarters warm.
Spray foam insulation is also another option. There are advantages and disadvantages to spray foam insulation. This expanding foam helps to fill nooks and crannies that traditional fiberglass insulation or even blown insulation can't help with. A problem that can arise is that because the foam does expand, should foam ooze in between joists and the ceiling, separation may occur creating a new problem.
Whichever method is used to ensure comfortable living quarters, a professional is highly recommended. These companies know which method would be best for your home and can guarantee their work ensuring many warm and pleasant years to come. With the money saved on heating and cooling the home the homeowner gets the last laugh instead of the energy companies.
For more information and guidance about energy efficiency and radiant barriers such as Temper Shield, visit http://www.utilityimprovements.com. Utility Improvements specializes in exceptionally effective thermal radiant barriers and demonstrates how they work via videos on their Website.
While retrofitting and upgrading a home's energy efficiency can be expensive, the cost is nowhere near dumping more and more money into the hands of the oil or electric company to heat and cool one's home. Improving a home's efficiency is the best option and investment. What are a homeowner's options? The answer is it depends.
If a home's energy is provided by the electric company then solar panels would be a smart investment. What about those homes, and there are millions, that depend on oil or gas to heat? Upgrading the insulation in the attic is key to improving comfort and expense. Why the attic and what type of insulation is best? Two good questions.
Just like people lose most of their body heat through their head, homes lose the heat through the attic. While covering a house with a large blanket or hat would be unrealistic and silly, lining the attic floor or rafters with a blanket would be practical. Traditional batting or fiberglass insulation won't really help that much. This type of insulation is like wearing just a knitted sweater on a cold and windy day. There are holes in each of these layers that just slow the cold air moving through.
There are a plethora of insulation types available on the market, but none are as easy and effective as a radiant barrier. A thermal or radiant barrier is needed to reflect the home's warmth back down into the home and prevent the cold from descending through. Much like covering over an apple pie with aluminum foil to keep it warm, radiant barriers line the attic floor keeping the living quarters warm.
Spray foam insulation is also another option. There are advantages and disadvantages to spray foam insulation. This expanding foam helps to fill nooks and crannies that traditional fiberglass insulation or even blown insulation can't help with. A problem that can arise is that because the foam does expand, should foam ooze in between joists and the ceiling, separation may occur creating a new problem.
Whichever method is used to ensure comfortable living quarters, a professional is highly recommended. These companies know which method would be best for your home and can guarantee their work ensuring many warm and pleasant years to come. With the money saved on heating and cooling the home the homeowner gets the last laugh instead of the energy companies.
For more information and guidance about energy efficiency and radiant barriers such as Temper Shield, visit http://www.utilityimprovements.com. Utility Improvements specializes in exceptionally effective thermal radiant barriers and demonstrates how they work via videos on their Website.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Insulate Yourself From Discomfort and Reduce Your Monthly Heating and Cooling Expenses
Whether it's new construction or improving the existing insulation on a completed home, there are a lot of different types of insulation materials from which to choose. Not all insulation is created equal though and not all insulation can be used on existing completed structures. Proper insulation will lower your monthly heating costs and cooling costs, but you must know how to shop for the right material.
The most commonly used insulation has been the traditional fiberglass batting that can be found in any brick and mortar home improvement store. Some home improvement stores even carry polyiso foam board insulation. Concrete insulation is not as common or as inexpensive as other types and is used while building new construction. SIPS or structural insulated panels are a relatively new and highly effective type of insulated wall, but is only used for new construction as well. Loose fill insulation is blown into wall cavities and is commonly found in attic spaces or walls. Each of these types of insulating materials will reduce costs. You need to check the "R" factor that is listed on the insulation to determine how efficient it is. The higher the R-Factor, the more efficient the material is and the lower your monthly air conditioning bill should be.
The last two types of insulation have become quite common and beneficial, especially for use in completed existing structures. Polyurethane spray foam insulation is commonly used in walls and ceilings, and are excellent for filling in irregular wall cavities. Radiant barriers and reflective foils are used quite frequently to drastically reduce heat transfer through attics, ceilings, and floors. Radiant barriers like Temper Shield help to regulate the temperature in the living quarters during the summer months and greatly reduce the loss of heat from the interior of the home during the winter months. This translates to more even temperatures and lower utility costs throughout the year.
Only fiberglass batting, spray foam, polyiso boards, and radiant barrier films are able to be considered do-it-yourself methods of insulation. However, it is only recommended for small areas should the homeowner decide to attempt the installation themselves. For larger areas or higher volume spaces, obtaining the services of a professional installer is highly recommended to ensure proper installation. This will guarantee maximum insulation benefits and maximum savings as well as a quick and frustration-free time for the homeowner.
Having a home energy audit performed is always a good method to identify where the worst and poorly insulated areas of a home are located. Once the results are learned, then the homeowner will be in a better position to determine the best type of insulation to have installed. Once that is done, the savings on fuel and electricity for heating and cooling a home will be realized over the expense of investing in the family's home and comfort.
For more information and guidance about radiant barriers, thermal insulation, and Temper Shield, visit http://www.utilityimprovements.com. Utility Improvements specializes in authentic, non-imitation thermal radiant barrier protection and has some great videos on their site to illustrate the cost savings of using a thermal insulating barrier.
The most commonly used insulation has been the traditional fiberglass batting that can be found in any brick and mortar home improvement store. Some home improvement stores even carry polyiso foam board insulation. Concrete insulation is not as common or as inexpensive as other types and is used while building new construction. SIPS or structural insulated panels are a relatively new and highly effective type of insulated wall, but is only used for new construction as well. Loose fill insulation is blown into wall cavities and is commonly found in attic spaces or walls. Each of these types of insulating materials will reduce costs. You need to check the "R" factor that is listed on the insulation to determine how efficient it is. The higher the R-Factor, the more efficient the material is and the lower your monthly air conditioning bill should be.
The last two types of insulation have become quite common and beneficial, especially for use in completed existing structures. Polyurethane spray foam insulation is commonly used in walls and ceilings, and are excellent for filling in irregular wall cavities. Radiant barriers and reflective foils are used quite frequently to drastically reduce heat transfer through attics, ceilings, and floors. Radiant barriers like Temper Shield help to regulate the temperature in the living quarters during the summer months and greatly reduce the loss of heat from the interior of the home during the winter months. This translates to more even temperatures and lower utility costs throughout the year.
Only fiberglass batting, spray foam, polyiso boards, and radiant barrier films are able to be considered do-it-yourself methods of insulation. However, it is only recommended for small areas should the homeowner decide to attempt the installation themselves. For larger areas or higher volume spaces, obtaining the services of a professional installer is highly recommended to ensure proper installation. This will guarantee maximum insulation benefits and maximum savings as well as a quick and frustration-free time for the homeowner.
Having a home energy audit performed is always a good method to identify where the worst and poorly insulated areas of a home are located. Once the results are learned, then the homeowner will be in a better position to determine the best type of insulation to have installed. Once that is done, the savings on fuel and electricity for heating and cooling a home will be realized over the expense of investing in the family's home and comfort.
For more information and guidance about radiant barriers, thermal insulation, and Temper Shield, visit http://www.utilityimprovements.com. Utility Improvements specializes in authentic, non-imitation thermal radiant barrier protection and has some great videos on their site to illustrate the cost savings of using a thermal insulating barrier.
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