According to EPA’s Energy Star website, over 40 cents out of every energy dollar that you spend is directed to heating & cooling your house.
What can you do to reduce this? Listed below are some things that in our experience help to reduce your energy bills…and some things that you may want to think twice about before pursuing.
What Works
Keeping heated and cooled air from leaking out of your home’s roof, walls, and windows could lower your annual energy costs by 20% or more. Start by insulating the attic if it has less than 11 inches of fiberglass or rock wool insulation or 8 inches of cellulose insulation. Then seal and insulate leaky ductwork. Finally, eliminate air leaks around doors and windows with a combination of caulk, foam board, expandable sealing, and weather stripping.
What to Think Twice About.
Replacing windows solely for the sake of saving energy might not be a good idea. Our experience has shown that it could take as long as 20 years to recoup that investment. But if your windows have deteriorated, or you’re replacing them as part of a larger renovation, choosing double-glazed windows with an R-value of 2-3 and low emissivity (low-E) coatings that manage solar heat gain can help trip your energy bills by 10% or more.
Totally Cool has been performing home weatherization for over 30 years. Call (512) 467-2689 today to request a full-home energy audit.
