Energy Efficient Home

Everyone is concerned with efficient use of energy. With rising costs, it seems prudent to check on the efficiency of your home and maybe look for ways to improve energy conservation.

Insulation is a great energy-conserver. It reduces the rate of heat transfer from areas of high temperatures to areas of low temperatures and vice versa. Insulation keeps all your cozy-warm air from escaping to the frigid outdoors, and keeps summer heat and humidity from seeping in. Over and above keeping you comfortable, insulation lowers noise levels, reduces the size of heating and cooling equipment, and helps minimize the energy usage and cost. You’ll want to make sure all your walls have insulation and air infiltration barriers. It is even important in non-living spaces, like an unheated garage, crawl space and air flow ducts.

It’s important that insulation be the proper type for maximum efficiency. It not only needs to have adequate thermal resistance for the location, but it needs to be properly installed.

The greatest benefit from insulation is in the first two or three inches. Great amounts help but after the initial three inches or so, the payback begins to decline. It’s not effective to pack six inches of insulation into a three inch space, either. Because of the compaction, there is a greater heat loss through conduction. Insulation in walls and floors is not readily apparent and you may need a professional or building inspector to verify it for you. It’s important that there be adequate insulation in the ceiling above conditioned spaces, and in the walls adjacent to unconditioned spaces. Walls in heated basements should be insulated, and the floors above unheated crawl spaces, basements, and garages. If your home is set on a slab, the edges should be insulated. Insulating ductwork and pipes in unconditioned spaces will help to avoid freezing pipes. An all-electric house requires plenty of insulation, as well as extra insulation to keep utility bills within reason.

Vents and/or windows in the attic space allow air to be exchanged in the summer, and moisture to escape in colder months. Window fans, ceiling fans, movable fans, and all-house fans help circulate air and are especially effective during hotter months.

Weather-stripping and well-sealed windows with storms or double-panels provide excellent methods to help reduce heating and cooling bills.

What has been the most energy efficient improvement you made in your home? Leave a comment and let us know.

Light colored houses reflect heat and subsequently stay cooler inside during the summer. So if painting is in your future, you might want to keep this in mind. Roof overhangs and awnings, and mature trees that provide shade during the summer provide an instant cooling effect. Trees will act as a wind buffer, too.

The bottom line on ‘energy-efficiency’ is the monthly bill and the comfort of your home. You can call your local utility company and ask about an energy assessment. For more tips on how to be more energy efficient at home click here.

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Brought to You By Your Favorite Realtor,
Nancy Hankin
www.PalmSpringsHomesAndEstates.com