A lot of attention is given to the energy needed to heat the air inside the home, but you could be wasting energy when you heat the water. The two best ways to reduce water heater energy use is to set the temperature lower and insulate the equipment. You can go one step further by checking to see if the water heater needs to be insulated. If the water heater is warm to the touch that means insulating the equipment can help. There are special insulated jackets and covers that are made for water heaters.
You can maximize the energy efficiency by also insulating around the pipes that go from the water heater to the inside. BONUS: insulated pipes are less likely to freeze and burst. Cold air from the outside can also get inside. All it takes is an hour or two to look for air leaks that can be sealed up with caulk.
Air leaks are going to occur where there are seams or cracks. For example, air leaks can exist around exterior vents and where the siding meets at the corners. You can seal ducts on your own with specialized tape, but if there are large gaps it may be best to call in a professional to seal everything up. Windows may be solid glass, but the heat and cold can still get through. Even covering single pane windows with plastic is better than nothing since it creates an additional barrier to keep the cold out and slow heat loss.
Luckily, there are ways to cook that conserves energy in the winter. Keep the door open to add a little warmth to the kitchen. Spark Energy has fixed rate energy plans that make utility bills more predictable even in the coldest months.
Use your zip code to see if Spark Energy plans are currently available in your area. Points can be used on local shopping deals, dining, daily deals, travel, and even gift cards. Terms for the rewards can be found here. This offer is available to first-time customers only. Customers must sign up for a fixed-rate energy plan. The plan may include a monthly service fee depending on the product. Use promo code which is showing above to qualify.
Rate expires at the end of the term. The majority of our energy is still sourced from burning coal and other materials that produce harmful gases when burned. Energy-efficient blinds are also a great solution. Cons : A major downside to this solution is that you must pull the blinds for them to insulate. Doing so will spoil any view you may enjoy on days when the temperature is at extremes. Some are transparent, while others are translucent for additional shade.
Caulk can be used anywhere to seal gaps or adhere two or more different types of building materials together. It can be an extremely effective way of saving money on energy bills by blocking any drafts or excessive heat from entering the home. Caulks tend to be quite rigid when dry, and are designed for use in areas with minimal expansion and contraction.
Sealants are flexible and are mostly made of silicone, which makes them ideal for areas that are prone to expansion and contraction. Cons : Sometimes, if the windows in your home are thin or simply too old to repair, caulking alone may not be enough to do the trick. It is definitely worth trying out before you launch into the expensive and potentially time consuming process of replacing your windows entirely. Replace your windows with energy-efficient windows If you have single-pane windows, you really need to consider upgrading to double pane windows or even triple-pane windows if you can.
Pros : This is by far the best solution to any of your window energy woes. The Department of Energy recommends this solution if your windows are just too old or worn out around the edges to effectively stop the transfer of heat.
Before you replace your windows, an energy audit will determine where energy loss is occurring. An inspector will survey your home using thermal imaging cameras. The inspector will then provide infrared photos, in which a blue section indicates cold spots which you might not even feel or see using other methods.
Areas that turn up yellow, orange, or red denote warm spots, in other words, heat loss. Cons : The cost of this process stops a lot of people from being able to carry it out. In addition, this process is only effective if done with every single window in the home. If you only replace some of your windows, the effectiveness is reduced. This may result in a big one-time hit to your bank account, but will increase the value of your home, so should be thought of as an investment.
Any one of these solutions will help your windows when they are doing battle with extreme temperatures. And it also means you will be using less energy, which is not only good for the planet, but good for your wallet as well. Double-pane windows are also referred to as insulated glass units IGUs. They are known for their ability to insulate a home with their air pockets between their panes that are effective in diffusing the transfer of heat as well as reducing window conductivity.
Single-pane units do not feature air pockets, so heat is allowed to pass through the glass easily. Double-pane units are excellent insulators, and can also effectively reduce noise pollution and reduce energy costs. Triple-pane windows contain three panes of glass within a sealed frame.
The third pane of glass is located halfway between the inner and outer panes of double glazing. Any one of these solutions can help your windows when they are battling with extreme temperatures. It will also result in a lower amount of energy used, which is not only good for your wallet, but good for the planet as well!
You can apply foam tape as a great weather-proofing alternative for doors and windows that are a little old and warped. In winter, you should close all drapes and curtains at night. Three-pane windows are the most energy-efficient windows because they trap your air conditioning or heating in the home.
Yes, with some of the methods listed above. Single-pane windows are troublesome because they have no additional layer to trap in heat or cool air. Try out some of the less expensive, time-consuming, and labor-intensive practices before looking into replacing your windows entirely.
Request a consultation with an inspector who can help you to ascertain whether or not it will actually be worth replacing your windows altogether. The age, quality and state of your windows is also worth taking into consideration before making such decisions.
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