When summer finally hits the DC Metro area, we’re all glad to have air conditioning in our homes, aren’t we? The “hazy, hot and humid” days make us want to stay inside and crank up the A/C.
But you’re reminded each month when you receive another sky-high energy bill that your home is not as energy-efficient as it could be. Many homeowners in our area don’t realize that when you remodel to make your home more beautiful, there are energy-efficient home ideas that can make you more comfortable and save you money at the same time.
The Envelope, Please
The materials that separate your home’s interior from the outside elements – windows, walls, doors, siding, roofing, and insulation – are called the “envelope” of your home. Ideally, the parts of the envelope work together to seal the weather out while keeping heat and air conditioning in. In reality, however, many envelopes are leaky and not doing the job, especially if your home was built before 1990. So, when you remodel, it’s the perfect time to seal up your home’s envelope, too.
If you’re replacing windows and doors as part of your remodeling project, you have a wonderful opportunity to choose the latest energy-saving products. High-performance windows provide warmer interior surfaces during the winter and cooler interior surfaces during the summer, so your home always feels just right. Today’s exterior doors and frames also fit better and are better insulated compared to older doors.
The best part of all is that remodeling affords you the perfect opportunity to not only have new windows and doors but have them installed properly. Unless those new energy-efficient windows are installed carefully, you won’t see energy savings or feel more comfortable inside. At MBRG, we have the remodeling experience to get them installed right and we take the time to do just that.
Unless you’ve converted your attic into living space, there’s no reason to pay good money to keep it warm in the winter and cool in the summer. But all too often, that’s exactly what is happening.
It is not unusual for attic energy robbers like poor insulation and damaged ductwork to steal 20-30% of your heating and air conditioning output. If you knew that 20-30% of the water in your home’s pipes was leaking, you’d call a plumber right away, knowing the cost of the repair would quickly be offset by savings on the water bill month after month after month. It’s the same with energy leaks in your attic. Fixing those leaks could make a huge difference in your finances, comfort, and even carbon footprint.
Making little changes like these to the envelope of your home isn’t very exciting compared to the immediate satisfaction you get from seeing the beauty of the rest of your remodeling project when it’s completed. But they can make a huge difference in your enjoyment of the new space in terms of humidity and temperature control. You should also be able to expect lower home energy bills.
So, don’t just make your home beautiful – make it beautifully efficient! Think about remodeling as a great opportunity for energy-efficient home ideas that increase your home’s comfort and put money back in your pocket. And that’s when you’ll really love your home all over again.