Save Energy

As winter rapidly approaches and energy costs are at record highs, it is double important to ensure that you are maximizing your home's energy efficiency. While many focus on conservation by keeping their thermostats low, which can be an effective strategy, there is a larger piece of the puzzle which many people overlook: by ensuring that your home is property insulated, you can improve the efficiency of your furnace so that your home can retain the heat it generates, while keeping cold air out.

As a first step, you'll want to work with a contractor to ensure that you have proper insulation installed in the most vulnerable areas of your home, namely your ceilings, windows, doors and attics. The Department of Energy rates insulation with an R-value: you can evaluate the effectiveness of your current insulation to see if it would be cost effective to add or replace to your existing solution - in many cases, you can qualify for tax rebates and grants in addition to the energy savings you'll realizing, making it profitable for you to recoup the costs of improving your home's insulation in one season or less.

Today's insulation materials are made from mineral fibers such as rock wool or fiberglass, which are effective at keeping in energy, while also being flexible enough to fit into difficult places such as frames, rafters and joists. Certain areas in your home may require cellulose insulation, which can be obtained through a home improvement store or by working with a certified contractor.

You should always check for auxiliary elements that can be improved such as clearing out your gutters, upgrading your furnace to a more efficient model and keeping your windows well caulked. By applying these techniques you can lower the cost basis of heating your home, ensuring that you can stay warm without an excessive energy bill this winter.