Top 5 Ways to Save Energy
Saving energy is one of the ways to save our planet and a way to put money back in your wallet from energy bills. It is crucial to implement tips to save energy and make our world better for it.
Are you searching for ways to save energy? Do you want to know how to improve the energy efficiency of your home? Do not worry; read this write-up to the end for the top five ways to save energy.
1. Conscious Energy Management Efforts
You need to take proactive measures in managing your day-to-day use of energy by developing good energy use habits like turning off lights and electronics when they are not in use, turning off outdoor lights at dawn, and indoor lights during the day. You can also regulate your use of the HVAC system to save energy and cost.
2. Install Energy-Saving Bulbs
Replace all incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient bulbs. You will undoubtedly save not less than 75% energy on illuminating your home. Although energy-saving bulbs are more expensive, you will recoup the expenses on the reduced energy bills over time.
3. Install Programmable Thermostat
The HVAC system accounts for more than 40% of energy consumption in the house. Meanwhile, you can manage how much energy your HVAC units use by installing a programmable thermostat that can turn off the unit when the preset temperature is reached, especially at night. With this add-on, you do not need to upgrade your HVAC unit or sacrifice your comfort.
4. Use Energy-efficient Appliances
The total amount of energy used by a household can add up to about 15% of the aggregate energy use. Meanwhile, if you use energy-efficient appliances, you will reduce this rate significantly and save energy. When replacing old or damaged appliances, ensure that you purchase appliances that have the 'ENERGY STAR' label that indicates that the appliances use less energy.
5. Install Energy-efficient Windows and Doors
Windows and doors do not only contribute to the façade and curb appeal of a home, but they also improve the energy efficiency of a house. By installing energy-efficient windows and doors, your home will not experience drafts, which makes the HVAC system work harder and use more energy. Energy-efficient windows and doors will reduce the rate of heating and cooling your home.
If you are looking for ways to save energy in your home, start by installing energy-efficient windows and doors. Your home will benefit a lot from this decision. Energy-efficient windows and doors offer several benefits, starting from energy efficiency to curb appeal and an increase in the value of the property.
What Makes a Good Energy Efficient Window?
Before you invest in window replacement for your home, you need to know if you are getting the most energy-efficient windows possible. Not only do these help you and your family feel comfortable at any time of the year and in any climate, but they can also reduce your monthly utility bills and help protect the environment. With all of these benefits, it makes sense to understand what makes a good energy-efficient window before you buy it.
Energy Efficient Defined
There is no official definition of what "energy-efficient" means when it comes to window replacement products. In general, it simply means that the window prevents more temperature transference. If you have old, leaky windows in your house, you may feel a cold breeze coming off the glass in the winter. Your electric bill may go up considerably in the summer because your air conditioner has to work extra to cool things down inside.
One of the best ways to determine energy efficiency is to look for the government's Energy Star certification. The ENERGY STAR® symbol is a consumer icon in Canada that identifies products that have qualified as high efficiency.
Top Window Replacement Characteristics
Besides looking for Energy Star certification, there are various physical characteristics of replacements that improve efficiency.
1. Materials of the Window Frame
Old windows had wooden frames, which is one of the least energy-efficient materials possible. Manufacturers started using aluminum, which was even worse. Innovations in the home building and renovation fields have now developed highly efficient and insulative vinyl products instead.
2. Low-E Glass Panes
The E in "low-E" stands for emissivity, which means the transfer of temperature. If you buy low-E glass panes for your replacement windows, you know that you will keep the right temperature inside and the wrong one outside for your family's comfort. This is done with invisible and microscopic coatings that reflect UV rays and insulate the glass itself.
3. Multiple Panes of Glass and Gas Fills
Besides low-E ratings, choose windows that have two or three panes of glass to offer more energy efficiency. This helps prevent condensation from forming and blocks more heat and energy transfer. Gas fills in between the panes are completely safe and effective at reducing emissivity and UV transfer even more.
4. Warm Spacers
During the window installation process, tiny brackets called spacers are used to hold the glass in place. These were originally aluminum, which would transfer temperature easily from one side to the other. Installing a window with these was basically like creating leaks on purpose. Choose replacements that use warm spacers instead. This tiny change can make a considerable difference in overtime when it comes to energy efficiency.
Your window replacement project will help you feel comfortable and save money if you pay attention to the energy efficiency ratings and characteristics. As windows are something that lasts a very long time, it makes sense to invest in the best from the start.
5 Signs You Need To Replace Your Windows
Windows and doors are some of the essentials of any home. The comfort, safety, and energy efficiency of a house depend on the windows and doors of a house. Over time, they can depreciate in functionality and lose their aesthetics due to the exposure to the harsh elements. Many homeowners are not usually aware of the need to replace their windows and doors until they have been damaged completely. However, this article aims to ease your job in knowing when to replace your windows and doors. Read more.
1. Costly Energy Bills
Your HVAC unit will unavoidably work harder to make up for the loss of energy efficiency caused by old, damaged, and leaky windows and doors. This will undoubtedly cause your energy bills to skyrocket. The quick way to detect this massive increase in your energy bills is to bring out your old bills for comparison. If you notice a significant increase in the energy bills, commence plans to replace your windows and doors.
2. Blurry Glass
If you find it impossible to see through your windows because they are blurry or appear continuously foggy, your windows need to be replaced. Regardless of the location of your home, you would love to view your outdoor, landscape, and the sky right from inside. But if the glass of your windows is so faded that it is hard to see anything on the other side, that is a sign that your windows need to be replaced.
3. Failure to Stay Closed or Open
You should not have to burn energy on closing or opening your windows. But if your windows won’t stay closed when you close it or remain open whenever you open them, have them replaced as soon as possible. You cannot stand by your windows and hold them open or closed. Contact windows and doors contractor to replace them.
4. Pests and Insects Invasion
If your windows suddenly become the entrance for insects and pests as critters, ants, rodents, and mice, you cannot afford to delay replacing your windows and doors. That indicates that your windows and doors' frames have gaps that allow insects and mice into the house.
5. Outdated Design or Style
Ensuring that your windows resonate with the architectural design of your home and modern design is one of the ways to improve the overall curb appeal of your home and increase the value of your property. Replace outdated windows with advanced and improved designs and styles.
Contact a windows and doors company for window replacement immediately you notice any of the signs above. Upgrade your windows for a more comfortable and enhanced experience.
How Can I Cut My Electric Bill?
Let's face it, power forms the core of our day-to-day activity and it is something we all can't do without, but what we can do is control how much of it we use. Electric bills are on the rise and this can take a serious toll on our finances if not quickly and properly managed.
Cutting power usage to reduce electric bills is a smart way to save more on your monthly utility bills. Below are 4 easy ways you can effectively achieve this feat and start saving more money on your electric bills:
1. Use Energy Efficient Products
Unknown to most homeowners, a large percentage of their appliances consume enormous amounts of energy that would later pile up to cause a surge in their electric bill. Replacing functional appliances such as high energy consuming bulbs, power strip or even low-flow shower heads with energy efficient versions will save you a lot of money and help keep your energy bills down.
2. New Windows And Doors
Windows and doors are the major points of heat exchange between your home and the environment. Installing new doors and windows with great insulating capacity will eliminate heat loss from your home thereby reducing the amount of time your HVAC system will have to work on hot and cold days. This reduced heating and cooling periods will ultimately bring about a drastic drop in your electric bill.
3. Install Solar Panels
Installing solar panels on your property is an excellent way of reducing or completely cutting down on your energy bills. Even though quite expensive, installing solar panels will save you more money over the course of time than any other power saving method. Solar panels enable you generate your own electricity and use all day long with partial or zero reliance of commercial power supply. Aside from its zero-power generation cost, solar panels are an efficient means of generating clean, renewable and environmentally friendly energy.
4. Weatherize Your Home
Weatherizing your home involves sealing off air leaks that may cause you to expend more energy in keeping your home warm on cold days or cold on warm days. Using quality caulk, you can easily weatherize your doors, vents and windows to block off air leaks and increase the efficiency of your HVAC system. This will reduce the amount of energy needed to keep your home comfortable and also significantly lower your energy bill.
5. Paint Your Home With Bright Colours
It is no myth that dark colours have higher heat absorption capacity than bright colours. This is why most homes get unbearably hot during the summer because of their dark coloured roof. Painting your roof and home with bright colours will reduce the amount of heat absorbed which will in turn reduce the amount of energy you need to spend on air conditioning.