August 20, 2014
New Jersey residents should love energy efficiency. Whether for environmental sustainability, improving home comfort, or reducing energy bills, it’s a win-win. However, too often homeowners notice a drafty room and think new windows are the solution. There are many energy efficient improvements that will do more for your home than replacing the windows.
Sealing for Savings
Unsealed basements and attics in your home are huges sources of inefficiency. Sealing the cracks in your home is a great place to start to improve your home’s performance. While a common misconception is that the majority of energy is lost through a home’s windows, the reality is that the majority of air infiltrating or escaping is coming in/going out through the basement or the attic. Sealing up these cracks will be less expensive, and more effective than replacing your windows.
Insulate, Insulate, Insulate
After air sealing, an additional measure that will have a lasting effect on your home’s performance is insulation. Many houses have improperly installed insulation, or insufficient insulation. This holds them back from added efficiency, because the furnace or air conditioner has to work much harder to keep the home at a comfortable temperature. This isn’t just a waste of energy, it creates uncomfortable conditions inside the home. Getting your home’s envelope properly insulated will do wonders for how comfortable your home feels, as well as its efficiency.
Windows – Less Bang for Your Buck
We’re not saying replacing windows won’t help make your home more efficient. Poorly sealed, low R-value windows can allow a lot of conditioned air to escape. However, there are many home performance services that will be more cost-effective. Replacing windows can run you dry very quickly – it’s no cheap upgrade.
Get Started!
We guarantee you’ll notice a difference once you start making home performance upgrades. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking windows are the best way to make your home more efficient. Lucky for you, there are a variety of affordable services that can have your home performing better than ever before. Don’t know where to start? Contact us, or schedule an energy audit to find out where you’re losing your energy, and what you can do to reduce your losses.
