Everybody knows heat rises, right? Well, it also transfers. Think of cold air as empty air and heat is what can fill it up. Heat energy transfers from hot to cold trying to create an equilibrium, this process is called heat gain. Too science-nerdy for you? To break it down for you... heat gain could be costing you mega bucks!
During the warm and hot months of the year:
Your attic is a major source of heat gain for your home. All the black tar or dark shingles absorb the heat from the sun and that transfers into your attic. In some homes the only thing keeping it from transferring into the living space of a home is drywall or a layer of "thinsulation". Blowing in fiberglass, foam, or eco-friendly recycled paper products is a great way to beef up the R-Value in your home. This improvement shouldn't cost more than $1.99 per square foot or save more and DIY! To find out the recommended R-value for your region, click here.
Another great way to beat the heat is to install an attic fan and gable vent. If you are not familiar with those terms, call a professional! It will take an electrician or liscenced handyman a fraction of the time and it will be done correctly. If you have one that the Smithsonian Institute may be interested in placing it in the American History exhibit, it is time to upgrade. New models are more efficient and have better thermostats.
During the colder months:
It is estimated that 80% of all the heat in your house goes out through your ceiling. Imagine 80% of your heating cost is just floating out of your home. Last year, my insulation project yielded a 20% reduction in heating costs! It will be paying me back for years to come!
If you installed a new attic fan or upgraded an old one with a thermostat as I suggested above, turn the thermostat to at least 100 degrees during the cold months! Now the thermal gain is working for you, your roof is capturing the sun's energy creating a warm blanket for your living space to keep cozy warm.
These are just a few tips to help lower heating and cooling costs. Every penny invested in making your home more efficient will not only yield returns for you, it will also increase its appeal to potential buyers in the future.
Want to know more about saving energy? Try the Energy Calculator!
If you are looking for an energy efficient home in Delaware... start here. www.delawarehousefinder.com
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