BE GREEN - SAVE GREEN
 | With the summer months just around the corner, now is the time to inspect your home for ways to save on energy…before the big bills hit! Check out some of these top tips from our weatherization experts to see how: Seal the deal. Inspect the areas around your doors, between the crown molding and ceiling, inside closets and at the seams around your floors. If you see light coming from the outside or feel any air seeping through these areas, it is time for sealing those drafts! Weatherstripping and caulking or using spray foam (be careful: it expands) can significantly cut down on wasted, cooled air in your home! Home energy savings Bring out the blankets. It’s summer, so do we need blankets? We are talking about blankets of insulation! By rolling out the ‘batts” or blankets of insulation in your attic or between your basement ceiling and your first floor hardwoods, you can keep the cooled air where you want it: inside your home. Loose the obstacle course. The air ducts that carry the conditioned air from your HVAC system to finished space is like an obstacle course for your cooled air. The department of Energy says you loose 25-40% of your home’s energy through loss due to the air ducts alone. Zone/Decentralize your home with Ductless Mini-Splits for a much more efficient way to keep cool. Turn it up. If you have the traditional heating and air system, leaving your thermostat on 78 degrees can allow the air conditioner to operate more efficiently. You can even turn it up to 80 degrees when you’re not home; there is no reason to cool the air if no one is using it. Check out the stars. High-quality, energy star rated windows that are double paned will minimize air leakage and increase comfort. Cut it off. Lights, computers, TV’s and other monitors all generate heat. So when you’re done using them, turn them off. And when you leave a room, turn off the lights as well. Minor behavioral modifications can save you money. Feel the breeze. Using a ceiling fan that rotates counterclockwise allows the cool air to be pushed downwards, where it belongs in warmer months. Block it out. Keeping the curtains drawn on the windows and having shade trees planted around the house, blocks the sun out during the day, allowing your climate control system to work most efficiently when you are home. Plant shade trees. Plant fast growing shade trees so next summer you can block the hot sun from your home! For more top tips or to speak with an expert, visit www.nrgsvrs.com, where you will find the resources you need to get prepared for summer. If we work together, we can save you some green from your pocketbook and you can feel good about being kind to the environment and making wise choices. home energy audit |
