Utility Bills...

Cost of a Radiant Barrier Can Offset the Expense of High Heating or Cooling Costs

There are several methods for insulating a home. Some are more effective than others. When the building is in the construction phase insulating is fairly straight forward and can appear to happen overnight. When the home has already been completed improving the insulation by retrofitting the home can be quite time consuming and difficult.

With being so labor intensive and possibly opening up walls to insert insulation, cost is a major concern. Setting aside the amount of time and expense of adding traditional insulations, the type of insulation installed is exceptionally important. Traditional types include fiberglass, foam and blown in insulation.

Although the technology is not exactly new, one of the more recent applications in home insulation has been radiant barriers. A radiant barrier is an effective method for improving the energy efficiency and comfort of a home. Essentially a radiant barrier is a foil backed sheeting which can be installed a number of different ways.

The purpose of the foil is to reflect the radiant temperatures. An over simplified way to explain is, much like a aluminum foil wrapped baked potato, heat can either be retained within the living quarters of the home during cold days or reflected away from the home interior on hot days. In either scenario, the interior temperature will be maintained with a minimal amount of heating or cooling from the HVAC system.

The most common place to install a radiant barrier is in the attic. The sheeting can either be installed on top of the ceiling joists or along the bottom edge of the roof rafters. Which placement largely depends on how well vented and circulated the air is in the attic. If installed improperly, like all insulation can, additional problems may crop up such as mold. Additional installation points can be in crawl spaces underneath a home.

Although installing a radiant barrier can be accomplished by a mechanically inclined home owner; it will almost always be back breaking work due to confined spaces and potentially dangerous conditions. The effectiveness of the radiant barrier will be compromised if close detailed attention is not used when overlapping or joining the runs of sheets. As a result, it is not recommended that even those home owners who are handy, attempt to treat this project as a do-it-yourself project. An experienced and qualified installer will be able to determine which method will work best for each situation.

To learn more about radiant barriers visit Utility Improvements or call 1.800.230.2197 today!

Article independently authored by Daniel Elliott. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Utility Improvements. Click for search engine optimization and search engine marketing or visit WebDrafter.com's Blog.

Efficiency Benefits of Using a Radiant Barrier with Thermal Insulation

Homes which are being constructed today are "not built like they used to be", which can actually be a benefit. Present day construction techniques are more efficient on time and labor. Some of the materials used today, such as radiant barriers or foam, were not used in older homes because they simply did not exist. These newer types of insulation provide increased energy efficiency and monetary savings for home owners.

Houses built before wall board was invented were almost always incorporated lathe and plaster on the interior. Sufficient insulation to maintain a comfortable interior temperature was almost never used. Fireplaces were a common solution through a home. As a result of poorly insulated walls and prolific fireplaces, older homes have drafts and large air leaks which contribute largely to expensive utility bills.

Even in contemporary construction many builders will put the minimum amount of components into a house in order to just satisfy the minimum building code, whereas in a quality built home, much of the energy efficient materials are actually not readily visible. Future residents are always the ones to lose in these scenarios. There are, however, a couple of solutions to the age old problem of leaky and drafty houses.

Retrofitting an existing home with foam, cellulose or batting is often an invasive, laborious and expensive option. Another option, which has been growing in popularity due to the ease in which it can be installed, is a radiant barrier. There are several advantages of utilizing radiant barriers.

Radiant barriers can be used in the attic and underneath a home solely as the main type of material to insulate a home or augment existing insulation. Radiant barriers work by reflecting the outside temperatures away from the living quarters. Conversely these radiant barriers also help to maintain a comfortable interior temperature from escaping through the attic.

An oversimplified description of a radiant barrier is that it is a sheet of cellophane with a reflective foil layer on one or both sides. There are different procedures for installing a radiant barrier membrane. The two most common methods of installation are laying it on top of the attic floor joists and any insulation which may already be present or securing it to the underside of the roof joists. In either case it is important to maintain airflow in order to prevent an environment which will support the growth of mold. Some radiant barriers have small perforations to prevent just this particular situation.

When selecting a radiant barrier it is important to be aware that the insulation rating is not assigned an R-value, but is assigned its own scale of effectiveness. A professional installer will know which type of radiant barrier and what manner of installation will maximize the energy savings on heating and cooling the home. Minimizing the frequency and amount of time needed for the air conditioner or heat to run translates to direct monthly savings.

For additional information on the topic of insulation and energy efficiency visit Utility Improvements. Article independently authored by Daniel Elliott. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Utility Improvements. Click for search engine optimization and search engine marketing or visit WebDrafter.com's Blog.

Energy Audits - Reveal Suprises With Insulation and Air Conditioning or Heating Leaks

There are an almost endless variety of methods for saving money on monthly utility bills. For most home owners it means retrofitting an existing house or stop using electricity and water. While the latter two options are not a good or realistic solution, increasing the energy efficiency of the home is the best choice. There are several ways to do this from do-it-yourself projects to hiring a professional contractor or remodeler to complete the necessary renovations.

Some of the most basic maintenance and improvements pertain to one of the most common and problematic areas of a home's energy loss. Leaky gaskets and trim around doors and windows allow heat to penetrate into the home during summer time and escape during the winter months. Replacing door gaskets and improving the insulation around windows can generally be considered to be a straight forward task that many home owners should be able to accomplish.

Attending to the doors and windows however, will only address part of the problem of heat loss. The insulation in older homes can often be superior compared to newer residential construction. Many times it is not. An inexpensive and eye opening solution to determining the weak spots in the home's thermal envelope is to have a home energy audit take place.

Energy audits will reveal poorly insulated parts of the walls, ceilings and door and window frames. One weakness almost every home owner can expect to see is along the ceiling where there are built-in light fixtures or where walls meet the ceiling. Houses which have crawl spaces underneath the living quarters will also likely have poorly insulated areas.

Until relatively recently, the only way to correct these problems was to climb into the attic or underneath the home and add additional amounts of insulation. Adding insulation to walls, however, often proves to be messy, time consuming and expensive due to difficulties and labor costs. There have not been any acceptable alternatives until now.

One major development which has received nationwide attention and is becoming an increasingly popular method for improving energy efficiency is radiant barriers. Radiant barriers can be laid throughout an entire attic space from exterior wall to exterior wall. Unlike every other type of common insulation, rather than impeding the heat from penetrating through into the living quarters, radiant barriers actually reflect the heat of summer away from the ceiling and back out through the attic. The major benefit to adding a radiant barrier is that it is a non-invasive method for installing insulation or buttressing up existing insulation, unlike creating holes in the walls for installing blown loose fill insulation and then patching the holes. Radiant barriers will simply span the entire structure.

Different methods or techniques exist for applying radiant barriers. There are also different types of radiant barriers. Some are perforated, solid or double-sided. Which type will work best in an application will be determined by each specific situation and construction. A professional installer should be able to explain how and why one type and method is better than another.

For additional information on the topic of improving insulation using radiant barriers visit Utility Improvements. Article independently authored by Daniel P. Elliott. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Utility Improvements. Click for search engine optimization and search engine marketing or visit WebDrafter.com's Blog.

Home Energy Audits - How to Best Insulate the Leaks and Hot Spots in the House to Save Money

As energy and utility costs continue to skyrocket, energy efficiency has been thrust into the spotlight with regards to home appliances, vehicles, and fuel. The most expensive home appliance to operate is not the stove or dryer, but the HVAC system. Air conditioners use large quantities of energy, especially with every summer season becoming hotter and hotter. The culprit to high utility bills is not necessarily an inefficient air conditioner, but a drafty and poorly insulated home.

Home energy audits are relatively inexpensive, but can reveal all the cracks and crevices areas of the home where the home owner's money is slipping through. Infrared video cameras are a common tool to determine where much of the cold spots are throughout the house. During the summer season, hot spots will usually show up as a vivid red or yellow where the heat is penetrating into the home. During winter time, cold spots will be revealed as dark patches where the cold is infiltrating the envelope of the home.

Another useful tool is the blower door test where a door leading to the exterior is block off with heavy weight plastic sheeting and a powerful fan blowing out. By doing this, any leaks at poor gasket seals along doors and windows will be discovered. The majority of poorly insulated areas are located at windows and doors. Another common area is an attic access panel.

Even with these home energy audits, it still only reveals where the weak spots are in the envelope of the house; what to do about it is an entirely different problem. Tearing down wallboard to increase the insulation or knocking holes in walls for applying blown in insulation is a time consuming and often expensive solution.

A much faster and less invasive method for improving the home's insulation is to add a radiant barrier the full width and length of the attic. Radiant barriers do not perform as traditional insulation. Traditional insulation works by slowing the thermal transmission from the home's exterior to the interior, whereas radiant barriers actually reflect the thermal radiation which is what people experience as heat.

There are several different types of radiant barriers on the market. Some barriers are double-sided whereas others can have small perforations which allow air circulation through the membrane. Circulation is extremely important in attic spaces in order to reduce and inhibit mold from developing. Depending upon the specific application, however, a perforated radiant barrier may not be required. The local installer will be able to adequately advise the home owner as to the most efficient application for their home.

For additional information on the topic of lowering utility bills and energy efficient homes visit http://www.utilityimprovements.com.

Radiant Barriers - More Cost Effective Than Ripping Out Drywall to Retrofit Insulation

There are numerous different types and brands of insulation available on the market today for residential and commercial construction. Some of the more popular choices have been fiberglass, cellulose types, polystyrene (blue board) and spray foam. All of these different types of insulation are assigned an R-value which "grades" each in terms of thermal resistance. One type of insulation, which is graded on a different scale and has been receiving increased attention of the media due to its environmentally green benefits, is radiant barriers.

Most insulation works on the same premise of providing a dense barrier between the interior of the building and the exterior. Different types of insulation are more effective than others. As the denseness of the insulative material increases so does its effectiveness. Whether the building envelope is sealed or not, also will affect how well the building is insulated from the heat or cold.

Fiberglass insulation, although relatively inexpensive and the most prolific in its use, allows copious amounts of air to pass through compared to others. Despite attempts to seal the building envelope, fiberglass will not help to achieve this goal. Even though spray foam is more expensive, it has been one of the most effective. The reason for the increase in expense is due in large part to specialized gear for proper installation and its greater effectiveness at sealing small crevices and air seepage.

All of the above mentioned insulation can be excellent choices depending upon the requirements. For those home owners or business owners with existing and completed structures, it would be prohibitively more expensive to retrofit than to have installed in new construction. There is an excellent and cost effective alternative to ripping out drywall, installing additional insulation and dry-walling back over again.

Radiant barriers are the perfect answer to improving the existing insulation of a home or office. Rather than slowing or blocking radiant heat from penetrating through, radiant barriers will actually reflect up to 97% of the heat. Surprisingly, radiant barriers do not have an R-value, but are rated on emissivity and reflectivity.

Common installation points are either in the attic or a crawl space underneath the structure. Much like the other types of insulation, there are a few different types of radiant barriers available. Depending upon the location of the installation, one may serve better than another. The different types are perforated, solid or double-sided radiant barriers. The installer should know which type will provide the most benefit specific to the application. Many building codes will also dictate when to use a specific type.

Another major concern with insulation is with regards to mold and insect infestation. Eliminating the chances of mold or insects is affected by the manner in which the insulation is installed and the proper ventilation of the building envelope. Improper installation of insulation can actually increase the chances of mold and insect intrusion. The professional installer should have the experience to install the insulation properly and explain to the customer the process and reasons.

To learn more about radiant barriers, insulation, and reducing utility bills please visit http://www.utilityimprovements.com.

Article independently authored by Daniel Elliott. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Utility Improvements.

Radiant Barriers Can Save Money on Air Conditioning While Still Providing a Comfortable Home

Fiberglass insulation is quickly becoming obsolete because of the fact that it just does not work, or work as well as other types of insulation. It is true that fiberglass insulation has been the most common and affordable type of insulation for homes, office buildings and commercial facilities, but there is a new day dawning. There are now much more effective types of insulation on the market.

The newer types of insulation receiving the most attention in recent years have been spray foam, blown in loose-fill and radiant barriers. Both of these insulation work differently from one another and fiberglass. The insulative abilities of spray foam and radiant barriers are not rated on the same R-value scale due to the manner in which they work.

Unlike fiberglass batting, which only slows the advance of heat passing through the glass fibers, spray foam insulation is a much more effective form of insulation. Because of the density of spray foam, the R-value, or resistance for heat transference, is much higher than any fiberglass insulation. Spray foam is one of the best materials for insulating a new home as it is being built.

If the home construction has already been completed, then spray foam will probably not be an economical method of retroactively insulating a home. In this instance, blown in insulation should be more inexpensive, but will still be labor intensive. There is a relatively affordable alternative.

Retrofitting a pre-existing building with a radiant barrier is usually more inexpensive than most other alternatives. There are different methods for installing a radiant barrier. The most common way is, in essence, to lay the barrier on top of ceiling joists in the attic. Radiant barriers can also be useful by installing under the home in a crawl space. With the reflective surfaces of the radiant barrier, heat from the exterior, which penetrates the roof, is reflected back away from the living quarters.

Radiant barriers have been used in several different applications. The technology is the same means which NASA uses for the astronauts in the space program by allowing the astronauts to retain warmth in the cold of space. While this radiant barrier technology has been in existence for over one hundred years, it was only recently adapted for the residential construction industry in the past couple of decades.

Mold and moisture always needs to be considered when installing a radiant barrier. Some applications may require the use of a perforated barrier for better condensation control. The professional installer in the local region should be able to determine the best way to install the barrier.

For further detail and information on insulation and air conditioning please visit www.utilityimprovements.com.

Article independently authored by Daniel P. Elliott. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Ultility Improvements.

Save Money on AC - A Radiant Barrier Can Save the Home Owner From Expensive Utility Bills

It is true that the most common culprits causing high energy bills can be faulty door and window seals. The home owner may still have a comfortably cool home interior, however, this just means that the air conditioner system is working that much harder in order to maintain as much of that cooler air inside. Many home owners may not have seen the utility bill shoot up this year yet especially in northern regions, but southern states, such as North Carolina, bill shock is alive and well.

If there is one certainty in this world, it is that utility and energy costs will always be on the rise. Energy costs are due to increase this year in many areas. One of the easiest methods for saving money on utility bills is having a home energy audit performed. It is always a good recommendation for every family and home owner to have a home energy audit performed in order to identify problem areas which can help determine what areas of the home need to be serviced. These tests are not needed as a recurring expense, but usually once to identify the problems.

There are different methods and equipment a company may use to inspect a home. These range from blower doors to infrared sensors. Newer homes built by a mid to upscale builder will most likely be halfway decent in the energy efficient department, however, there is almost always one part of every home which will score lower in energy efficiency; that is the ceiling.

Regardless of the cost or quality of the home, the ceiling is often the area in which there are larger quantities of heat transfer, meaning heat entering the home during summer time or cold air penetrating through the ceiling during winter time. Stuffing fiberglass, blown insulation or spray foam will not always be an inexpensive or effective fix. Radiant barriers, on the other hand, have great advantage of many of these common forms of insulation.

The technology used in radiant barriers is not necessarily new. NASA developed this technology for purposes of saving astronauts from the extreme temperatures found in space. Eventually this technology was adapted for the construction industry.

Radiant barriers work on the premise that it is far better to reflect the heat or cold rather than slow the heat transfer as traditional fiberglass insulation does. Once a radiant barrier is installed properly throughout a home owner's attic, the heat being absorbed by the roof and infiltrating the attic or crawl space is prevented from entering the living quarters by a specialized foil.

It is the foil used in radiant barriers that can create a savings every month on utility bills. There are different types of radiant barriers for different applications. Some may be installed along the underside of the rafters, while it may be recommended that the radiant barrier be installed on top of the ceiling joists. The installers should know which application will be best in order to prevent a build up of moisture from condensation. When the home owner is selecting a company to have a radiant barrier installed, it is perfectly acceptable to ask a lot of questions about which type is being installed.

For more information on saving money on utility bills and home energy efficiency visit www.utilityimprovements.com.

Article independently authored by Daniel P. Elliott. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Utility Improvements.

Radiant Barriers - Let Space-Age Technology Lower Your Utility Bills and Increase Your Comfort

Radiant barriers are a relative newcomer to the area of residential insulation. All radiant barriers are based upon space age technology. In 1954 NASA developed this material which we now call a "space blanket". This "sheeting" covered with deposited aluminum helps reduce heat transfer, which is vital in the cold of space. The same technology used by our astronauts has been used in the construction industry for over 20 years and has been receiving more attention in recent years as alternate green building methods have been thrust into the spotlight. Radiant barriers work differently than all traditional forms of insulation.

The most commonly used insulation in the past, and is still frequently used today, has been fiberglass batting, loose-fill blown insulation, spray foam insulation and cellulose. It is possible to add a radiant barrier to an existing house and often recommended. All types of insulation are rated with an R-value, unlike radiant barriers. The R-value is how the manufacturers measure thermal resistance, meaning how well the insulation prevents heat from transferring through the insulation.

Radiant barriers are not assigned an R-value, but two different numbers. The first is an emissivity number. The second number refers to the thermal reflective ability of the barrier. The emissivity, or emittance, refers to how much thermal radiation is given off of the material. The emittance rating will be between 0 and 1. As the emittance rating goes up so does the amount of thermal radiation given. Although related, the second rating is the reflectivity of this insulation. The reflectance rating is also given as a value between 0 and 1 or percentage. These figures, when combined should equal 1 or 100%

While the explanation for the emittance and reflectance ratings is somewhat over-simplified, it is important to pay attention to both numbers. The reflectivity rating should be at least.9, or 90%, while the corresponding emittance rating should be low. These numbers need to be disclosed to the home owner by the manufacturer of the barrier.

While it is quite possible to install a radiant barrier in an attic or crawl space, there are a number of differing methods. The two simplest and most cost effective methods are to secure it to the top side of the roof joists, which support the ceiling, or the bottom of the rafters, which form the slope of the roof. There are particulars, though, to which need to be paid attention.

When installing the radiant barrier on top of the joists, possible condensation during the winter months needs to be taken into account. Most barriers will not allow water vapor to pass through. A simple fix is to make sure the barrier is a perforated one which will allow the barrier to breathe while still being able to reflect the heat away from the ceiling and living quarters below. Another alternative is to verify that the radiant barrier being installed has a substrate which will naturally allow any condensation to pass. The challenge of possible condensation does not apply to the installation of the radiant barrier to the bottom of the rafters. Because of soffit vents along the eaves of the roof or ridge vents, air movement should maintain a condensation free environment.

Radiant barriers used as the sole means of insulation may provide decent results; however, when used in conjunction with existing insulation should enhance the monetary savings of any home owner's monthly utility bill. Due to the region where the home is located, results will vary. Local installers should know which method and what type of radiant barrier will be best for each application.

Go to http://www.utilityimprovements.com for further information.

Article independently authored by Daniel Elliott. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Utility Improvements.

Radiant Barriers - Let Space-Age Technology Lower Your Utility Bills and Increase Your Comfort

Radiant barriers are a relative newcomer to the area of residential insulation. All radiant barriers are based upon space age technology. In 1954 NASA developed this material which we now call a "space blanket". This "sheeting" covered with deposited aluminum helps reduce heat transfer, which is vital in the cold of space. The same technology used by our astronauts has been used in the construction industry for over 20 years and has been receiving more attention in recent years as alternate green building methods have been thrust into the spotlight. Radiant barriers work differently than all traditional forms of insulation.

The most commonly used insulation in the past, and is still frequently used today, has been fiberglass batting, loose-fill blown insulation, spray foam insulation and cellulose. It is possible to add a radiant barrier to an existing house and often recommended. All types of insulation are rated with an R-value, unlike radiant barriers. The R-value is how the manufacturers measure thermal resistance, meaning how well the insulation prevents heat from transferring through the insulation.

Radiant barriers are not assigned an R-value, but two different numbers. The first is an emissivity number. The second number refers to the thermal reflective ability of the barrier. The emissivity, or emittance, refers to how much thermal radiation is given off of the material. The emittance rating will be between 0 and 1. As the emittance rating goes up so does the amount of thermal radiation given. Although related, the second rating is the reflectivity of this insulation. The reflectance rating is also given as a value between 0 and 1 or percentage. These figures, when combined should equal 1 or 100%

While the explanation for the emittance and reflectance ratings is somewhat over-simplified, it is important to pay attention to both numbers. The reflectivity rating should be at least.9, or 90%, while the corresponding emittance rating should be low. These numbers need to be disclosed to the home owner by the manufacturer of the barrier.

While it is quite possible to install a radiant barrier in an attic or crawl space, there are a number of differing methods. The two simplest and most cost effective methods are to secure it to the top side of the roof joists, which support the ceiling, or the bottom of the rafters, which form the slope of the roof. There are particulars, though, to which need to be paid attention.

When installing the radiant barrier on top of the joists, possible condensation during the winter months needs to be taken into account. Most barriers will not allow water vapor to pass through. A simple fix is to make sure the barrier is a perforated one which will allow the barrier to breathe while still being able to reflect the heat away from the ceiling and living quarters below. Another alternative is to verify that the radiant barrier being installed has a substrate which will naturally allow any condensation to pass. The challenge of possible condensation does not apply to the installation of the radiant barrier to the bottom of the rafters. Because of soffit vents along the eaves of the roof or ridge vents, air movement should maintain a condensation free environment.

Radiant barriers used as the sole means of insulation may provide decent results; however, when used in conjunction with existing insulation should enhance the monetary savings of any home owner's monthly utility bill. Due to the region where the home is located, results will vary. Local installers should know which method and what type of radiant barrier will be best for each application.

Visit http://www.utilityimprovements.com for additional information on the topic of radiant barrier insulation and saving money on monthly utility bills.


Article independently authored by Daniel Elliott. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Utility Improvements.

Tax Credit - Save on Home Improvements and Cut the Monthly Utility Costs With Green Energy Products

With the current government administration and more attention being focused on energy conservation, there are a variety of tax credits available for 2009 and 2010. Surprisingly, not every tax credit is for upgrading and installing newer expensive home appliances such as a residential air conditioner or heat pump. The amount of the credit given varies depending on the cost of the item being installed. Generally, the tax credit applied is 30%. There are currently a plethora of items eligible for these tax breaks. Installing a newer and more efficient HVAC system can be eligible all or in part. One component of the HVAC system may qualify while another component of the same system may not. Almost every HVAC service company should have detailed additional information regarding the tax advantages. Another product area which is eligible for tax breaks and incentives are doors, windows, and insulation. Faulty seals around door and window edges are a major cause of heat loss or infiltration. Replacing existing doors or windows can lower a homeowner's monthly utility bill expenses while still qualifying for a tax credit. Beefing up the attic insulation or crawl space with a radiant barrier can dramatically reduce the heating and cooling bill by preventing much of the warm air during winter from escaping or cool air in the summer. The homeowner should be aware that just because a product states it is an energy star appliance or product does not mean it will qualify for the established tax credits. Most kitchen appliances will not qualify, whereas some types of roofing can yield a good tax credit for the 2009 or 2010 tax years. Other home energy improvements are photovoltaic systems, or solar panels and wind turbines. One key requirement to receiving a tax break with these home improvements is that at least half of the home's energy consumption must come from use of solar energy. There is one caveat. Heating a pool or hot tub with solar energy is not allowed to be factored into the 50% or more energy consumption. Wind turbines, resembling small windmills, convert wind energy into electricity. While green energy sources can be a sizeable investment, the monthly savings and benefits will pay for itself in a relatively short time. Depending upon the location of the home, many areas may or may not permit the installation and use of solar panels or wind turbines due to not fitting within the architectural style of the neighborhood. Slowly this excuse is being pushed aside in favor of greater efficient use of green energy. For more information on reducing energy costs go to http://www.utilityimprovements.com today.



Article independently authored by Daniel Elliott. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Utility Improvements.

Simple Ways to Keep Your Home Efficient

With the rising cost of living among many areas in the United States today, 'green' living has become one way that homeowners can reduce living costs and expenses by completing simple projects and by thinking through purchases. There are many ways to decrease the amount of electricity your household uses, and products available to help you achieve lower bills in the future.

The best way to save electricity is not to use it, and therefore a household must adjust behaviors and habits that contribute to high energy costs. Leaving on a television in an unoccupied room is an unnecessary use of electricity, and turning of lights and other electrical components can greatly reduce the amount of electricity your home uses. Furthermore, taking a ten minute shower instead of a twenty or thirty minute one reduces the amount of energy you use heating water, and unplugging items eliminates 'phantom' energy usage (electricity consumption from units that are not even operating).

The most obvious and long term way to reduce energy use is to continually buy appliances that have high energy efficiency themselves. An old or dilapidated water heater or furnace can greatly diminish the overall efficiency of your home due to the simple fact that you use it so often. Be sure to look at the energy ratings of any equipment you plan to buy before making a decision. Also, while light bulbs may not seem to be a large part of energy consumption, a normal incandescent bulb converts only 5% of electricity into light, while a compact fluorescent light bulb (or CFL) can convert up to 20%.

There are also simple steps that the average homeowner can take to help the process along. A homes water heater is a great place to start. If you find that you always have more than enough hot water, you can lower your water heaters' thermostat setting or purchase a simple device that allows a heater to be configured for timed heating instead of trying to maintain a set temperature all day and night. Homeowners can also purchase simple and inexpensive insulating blanket kits to further add to energy savings and reduce heat loss. The same principle can also be added to water pipes that run throughout the home as un-insulated hot water pipes force your heater to work harder.

Another large and simple area that is often overlooked is the heating and insulation system of your home. Ensure that your windows are well sealed, and re-caulk them if necessary. You can use a candle to determine if there are any leaks or drafts around windows or doors. Furnace filters are also important, as a clogged filter forces your furnace or heating system to work harder than necessary to force air throughout the home and can lead to an unnecessary strain and wear on the system itself. Many older homes also lack the proper insulation in spare rooms such as attics, where it is fairly simple to increase heat retention by adding insulation. There are also products available that use NASA's Temper Shield technology that significantly improves insulation quality and effectiveness.

No matter what route you as a homeowner choose, preparing your home to be the most energy efficient unit possible can be quite simple if you keep in mind some of the tips described above. Most of the time the steps needed to increase a households' energy efficiency are simple enough to be classified as a Sunday project and can be completed in a few hours. However, as always, be sure to consult a professional when completing any tasks that require additional expertise, and don't be afraid to ask for advice.

For more information and guidance about home insulation and energy efficency, visit http://www.utilityimprovements.com. Utility Improvements specializes in home insulation and energy efficiency.

Posted by WebDrafter.com, Inc. with permission.
Article independently authored by Matthew Eddington. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Utility Improvements.

Radiant Barrier Insulation...

A Win-Win During the Cold or Winter and the Heat of Summer.

With the economy and employment rate in shambles, every individual and family is trying to skate by with the meager amount of income that is being brought in, especially with repairs and house repairs needing to be made. Trying to save money on the luxuries is simple; just stop buying them. Cutting back on the necessities, such as food, heating and cooling, and fuel is another matter.

Most families do not have much of a choice about paying for their air conditioning and heating. If they do not pay, then the climate will become very uncomfortable. There is a fairly good solution to the cost of this high utility bill. A radiant barrier installed in the attic can greatly enhance the comfort of the living quarters and help reduce the expensive utility bill.

Radiant barriers are probably the easiest material to retrofit a home's insulation. The most common method of installing it is essentially to lay it directly over the existing attic insulation. While installing a radiant barrier is fairly straight forward, it is not recommended for the do-it-yourselfer, especially if there is a vaulted ceiling involved. A few key points need to be followed in order to not cause potential problems.

The ventilation of the attic needs to be maintained and in some cases improved. Should the ventilation not be sufficient, the home owner will be introducing a much greater chance of mold, mildew, and rotting. Assuming the ventilation is adequate, the majority of homes are already set up to receive a radiant barrier.

It is important to take notice of the manner in which the radiant barrier is secured to the joists or rafters. Staples are not a recommended way of securing the radiant barrier. Special tape is best to make the seams of the overlapping joints. Occasionally, it may be necessary to use staples in awkward nooks and crannies and angles where the slope of the roof connects with a vertical supporting member.

The whole purpose of the radiant barrier is to prevent the heat or cold from penetrating through into the living quarters. This is achieved by the radiant barrier's reflective surface. The barrier reflects the heat or cold away from the living areas, depending upon which season it is. Because of the fact that it works on both ends of the thermometer, a home owner can expect to get their investment back by lowering the monthly utility bill.

As an afterthought, improving the attic insulation can be a positive reselling feature of a home, which will only add value to a prospective home buyer. The investment is a win-win situation. Lower utility bills allows the home owner to enjoy their investment or profit from it by selling the home. Either way, the result will be the same; saving money.

For more information and guidance about radiant barriers, visit http://www.utilityimprovements.com. Utility improvements has a couple of great videos on their site to illustrate how thermal reflection works.

Posted by WebDrafter.com, Inc. with permission.
Article independently authored by Daniel Elliott. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Utility Improvements.com.

Improving Energy Efficiency Through Insulation Options

In today's struggling economy, many families are searching for new ways to lower bills. Lowering home energy costs and making a home more efficient benefit both the wallet and the environment. Turning off lights when leaving a room and lowering the thermostat by a couple degrees will help the long term efficiency of the home, but only a slight change will be seen from a financial standpoint. Small changes to lower energy usage can be fairly easy for family members to adhere to, but to see a significant drop in the utility bill; bigger changes should be made.

Many families are looking to remodel and revamp their home to be more energy efficient and maximize overall cost reductions. New windows and solar panels are considered good choices, but another choice is increasing in popularity. Radiant barriers are an option to reflect heat from being absorbed into the home. Reflective space-age material, originally developed by NASA, is installed over current insulation and will prevent heat transfer. Radiant barriers can increase the efficiency of the home by almost 50% and will keep homes cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. This reflective material resists conductive currents as well as convection, while still allowing air to circulate normally.

There are many other insulation options for retrofitting a home, but these require the messy and time consuming removal of the old insulation. Installing a radiant barrier to a home can be done during new construction or remodeling and should be performed by a qualified and experienced contractor. Adding an energy efficient aspect to home insulation can keep costs low year round. Making environmentally friendly choices will benefit the family for the entire life of the home.

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.

Save Money and Improve Insulation with Radiant Barriers

Heating a Home Without Large Utility Bills

The last thing any homeowner wants is to pay out large sums of money to upgrade the home's HVAC system, however, with the extreme temperatures that the middle of winter or summer bring, many homeowner's direct their attention to the heating or cooling abilities of the current HVAC system. Before considering incurring the large expense of installing a more efficient and powerful heat pump or even a furnace, the homeowner needs to make sure that the house envelope is sealed well.

This means that the doors and windows should not leak and the insulation should be adequate to prevent the transfer of heat into or out of the interior of the home. Many homes however, can not claim to have the proper amount of insulation or properly installed insulation. While the insulation within the walls can be improved with loose fill being blown into the walls, the attic should be of greater concern.

Because heat rises, heat loss during the winter months is a major concern. Improper insulation in the attic accounts for having the heating system cycle on more frequently due to the loss of heat. Rather than piling on more insulation over the existing insulation in the attic, which can cause moisture and mold problems during the summer months, adding a radiant barrier is the quickest, safest, and most economical method to combat heat loss.

A radiant barrier acts, much like aluminum foil does when wrapped around a hot roll. It prevents rapid heat loss ensuring the inside stays warm. The results of properly installing a radiant barrier should be the retention of warmer air within the living quarters. When the heating cycle of the HVAC system kicks on, the intake will already have a warmer source of air with which to heat. The wear and tear on the air handler will be reduced and there should be longer time periods between the cycling of each heating cycle.

Providing a warm and comfortable atmosphere is what a radiant barrier can provide. Saving money through less wear and tear on the heating and cooling system and repair calls will save money. The less time the air handler and heat pump need to cycle on and off can yield savings better spent elsewhere instead of the utility bill. It really is a win-win solution for the homeowner to install a radiant barrier.

For more information and guidance about radiant barriers, thermal insulation, and Temper Shield, visit http://www.utilityimprovements.com. Utility Improvements has great videos on their site to illustrate the cost savings thermal barriers.