4 Tips to Lower Your Home’s Energy Bill
It seems as if everyone is looking for ways to cut household expenses, including how to lower energy bills. With costs climbing on everything from groceries to gas, it seems impossible to get a handle on the budget. The good news is there are ways to save energy and cut your heating and cooling costs. Here are four tips to lower your home’s energy bill.
Tip #1: Repair Damaged Windows
Did you know that damaged windows can increase energy costs by 25-30%? That’s how much energy your home loses through the windows, and those numbers jump if your windows are older or single-paned. Repairing damaged windows can significantly reduce the heat lost through the glass, cutting down on energy use and bills.
Updating old windows to double-paned glass can save you even more and over time will pay for itself in the energy efficiency gained and the reduction in energy lost. Of course, upgrading windows is an investment, but it might surprise you to find how much more consistent the temperature stays inside your house and how much money you save on your heating and cooling bills.
Tip #2: Repair Broken Siding
Broken siding might not seem like an energy efficiency issue, but it is. Any cracks, breaks, or leaks in the siding material not only allows the AC and heat from inside your home to seep out but also allows the cold and heat from outside to get in. Additionally, the openings can lead to a thermal gap in your walls and living spaces. When this occurs, your HVAC system kicks on more often than it should, raising your energy use and the bills that go with it. Repairing damaged siding can save you significantly when it comes to your energy bills.
Tip #3: Take Advantage of Skylights and Sun Tunnels
A home with many windows and abundant natural light lets you skip lamps and lighting for much of the day, using less energy. However, if you find the areas you spend a lot of time in don’t get a lot of natural light, adding a skylight or sun tunnel can change that. You’ll gain a lighter, brighter space while seeing a lower energy bill.
Tip #4: Consider Upgrading to a Metal Roof
It’s a common misconception that upgrading to a metal roof uses more energy because it gets hot and transfers heat to the house. However, metal roofs do the opposite. Instead of absorbing and transferring the heat, they reflect it up and away from your home. Even though asphalt is one of the most common types of roofing material, it is less energy efficient than metal. It takes the heat and shifts it down into the house, making your HVAC system work overtime to cool your home in the summer. Additionally, metal roofs have greater thermal resistance than asphalt, helping to keep the warm air in your home where it belongs in the winter.
It’s time to start finding new ways to save energy and reduce your energy bills. Making some overdue repairs and some much-needed upgrades can have a significant impact. Contact Premiere Roofing to schedule a visit from one of our professionals to evaluate your home and provide a free estimate.
