Tuesday, April 20, 2010

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.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

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.

Friday, January 29, 2010

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.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

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.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

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.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Traditional Insulation Leaks...

A Radiant Barrier Membrane Will Maximize Comfort and Save Money.

Improving the home's insulation is perhaps the single most beneficial improvement which can be made in order to maximize the comfort level, as well as decreasing the utility bill. There are several different types of insulation available on the market today. One of the newest types which have received much attention is a radiant barrier.

The theory behind a radiant barrier is largely based on research and technology used in practical applications by NASA and astronauts. A radiant barrier is a thin reflective material that helps limit or eliminate heat from penetrating through the barrier. This similar type of material is used in the spacesuits of astronauts to maintain the body heat in the colder or warmer climates that may be encountered. Because this material is flexible, it is easily folded and fitted in the nooks and crannies of attic spaces or crawl spaces, unlike traditional fiberglass batting insulation.

A radiant barrier installed throughout the entire attic will greatly improve the temperature control of the living quarters and maintain that temperature longer. This means a sizable monetary savings on the utility bill from not needing to cycle the air conditioning system on and off. Whether the temperature ranges from the heat of summer to the cold of winter, a radiant barrier insulation will isolate the internal temperature of the living quarters while limiting the need for the furnace or heat pump from cycling on and off as before with traditional fiberglass insulation.

The advantages of a radiant barrier over traditional insulation batting are numerous. The ease and speed with which a radiant barrier can be installed will save on labor costs, as well as clean up time. With this newer type of insulation, seams are virtually non-existent unlike batting which allows a large amount of airflow.

Many insulation companies still only use traditional methods of insulating a home with older technology which is not as efficient as newer technology. Most of the newer types of insulation are much more energy efficient and environmentally greener than fiberglass insulation. The best method for saving money on utility bills and increasing the comfort for the family is to choose the newer proven technology.

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.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Foil the Heat with Radiant Barrier Insulation, Save Money on Utility Bills, and Conserve Energy

There are many methods of insulating a house or office building. Some are extremely effective and practical while others are not. The best insulation and most inexpensive method to insulate a house from the heat of summer is to use aluminum foil. The cost should only be approximately $200 to $350 to wrap an average 2000 sq. foot house in aluminum foil. The heavy weight aluminum foil is the most durable from a weathering standpoint. This is an absurd idea! This ridiculous idea would work, except for being aesthetically displeasing, violating a large number of local ordinances and home association covenants, and not very practical from an installation standpoint. There are alternatives that will yield similar results without the hassle, ugliness, and illegal aspects.

Radiant barriers possess similar reflective qualities of aluminum foil in order to provide maximum temperature control in a home. Much like aluminum foil found in many cooking application, radiant barriers do not absorb heat, they reflect it. A relative new comer to the home insulation industry, radiant barriers are designed to be installed within attics and even under homes in crawl spaces.

In doing so, during the winter months a foil radiant barrier allows the heat of the home interior to be trapped inside and maintained while the house is sitting out in the open colder air. Obviously this is a perfect example for warming a home in the winter time, but what of the heat during the summer?

Radiant barriers don't just trap warm air inside, they also help maintain cooler temperatures from the sizzling exterior heat. The key term is barrier. It works equally well against large temperature fluctuations of summer by reflecting the exterior heat back outside and reflecting the cooler interior temperatures inside.

This technology traces its origins back to military and N.A.S.A. developments. This truly is a space age material adapted for the construction industry. With a radiant barrier installed, the homeowner should notice a drop in energy costs which translates to saving money. With today's economic struggles, that is especially important for families trying to make ends meet.

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.