Category: reduce energy bills

Five Summer Energy Tips

Have uncomfortable summer temperatures taken a toll on your energy bills? If summer heat has taken the fun out of your summer – and money out of your wallet – here are five things you can do to ease the pinch:

  • Run Ceiling Fans. Keep your ceiling fans running to circulate conditioned air. This can also increase comfort by keeping the air moving in the home.
  • Seal Air Leaks. All homes have air leaks as a result of the construction process. Air leaks allow conditioned inside air to escape, causing your cooling system to run more often. Having your home air sealed by a qualified contractor will help ensure the job is done right the first time.
  • Run Bath Fans. Running your bath fan after showers will help remove warm, humid air. By adding a timer to your bath fan, you can schedule it to run on a daily basis to continually move stale, warm air out of the house.
  • Adjust Your Thermostat. If your home has a programmable thermostat, check it. Can you turn it up a degree or two during the day? Increasing the temperature in your home during the day when there are fewer people at home can provide some relief in your energy bills.
  • Increase Attic Insulation. Many homes don’t have enough attic insulation. Even newer homes may have attic insulation that does not meet current codes. Contact a qualified contractor to have insulation added to your attic. Increasing your attic insulation can save up to 30% on your energy bills!

If summer temperatures have made your home uncomfortable, it’s time to do something about it. If you’d like us to check your attic insulation level or talk with you about air sealing, give us a call to schedule your free estimate.

Benefits to Air Sealing in Charlotte, NC

Benefits of Air Sealing in Charlotte, NC

Building science is a new concept to some homeowners. Building science is the study of how buildings consume energy and takes a whole-house approach to energy savings. By looking at the home as one unit, a qualified contractor can make recommendations for overall energy improvements rather than targeting just one area of the home.

Building science research shows one powerful energy improvement that can benefit any home – air sealing. Air sealing is the process of sealing penetration points around the envelope (shell) of the home. Penetration points are a result of the construction process and can be found around vents, chimneys, windows, and more.

ENERGY STAR estimates that proper air sealing techniques and upgraded insulation can save a homeowner up to 20% on heating and cooling costs (or up to 10% on their total annual energy bill). Air sealing has some additional benefits:

  • Reduces indoor allergens by helping keep pollen and dust outside the home.
  • Helps create a more consistent indoor temperature, reducing hot or cold spots that result from air infiltration.
  • Reduces energy bills by keeping conditioned air inside the home, requiring heating and cooling systems to run less often.

If you are considering air sealing your home, spray foam insulation is the product to consider. Spray foam insulation increases R-value and seals air leaks with one application. This one application provides two benefits – insulates and seals air leaks! Click here to learn more about spray foam insulation.

Have more questions or ready for a free estimate? Contact our office.