During the Spring and Summer we spend more of our time outside
cutting our grass, trimming the shrubbery, and gardening. Who wants the
exterior of their house to look downtrodden and unkempt?
A
question to ask ourselves is, do we spend as much time on ensuring the
exterior of the home energy efficient as we do on making sure the lawn
is mowed? Do you know that by letting heat escape through improperly
sealed windows and doors, you are wasting money on higher energy bills?
If
we were to spend just a couple of hours twice a year, we can find ways
to make the outside of our home more energy efficient. At first it may
seem overwhelming, but it is time well spent. The savings on your energy
bills will be well worth it.
Here are a few culprits that can
drive energy bills higher:
By not properly sealing windows and doors, you are letting way too
much of the heat in your home to escape. To save money on your heating
bills, find and fill any drafts in your home.
Do a walk around the outside of your home and observe if there are
any areas that need to be sealed. Because our home exteriors are
constructed with more than one material, be sure to look where these
different materials come together, like the foundation and exterior
brick. Also check where the chimney joins your aluminum siding. Be sure
to look at all the outside corners of your home also.
You must
seal any and all cracks in the exterior of your home. Find the
appropriate materials to seal your home. Do the job right the first
time. Your work will last longer when it is done with the right
materials.
Inspection of exterior pipes and faucets are a must.
Exterior plumbing fixtures must be sealed all around leaving no gaps.
Windows and doors should be checked during the inspection. Caulk any
gaps and make sure they have a tight seal.
You can eliminate leaks
by mounting your air conditioners into the wall instead of window
mounts. Ensure that there are no gaps around your air conditioners. Look
at getting a vinyl or plastic cover to place over the outside of your
unit during the cold months. This will prevent drafts through the unit
during the winter.
Check to make sure your home is properly
insulated. This will save you an incalculable amount of money.
Thoroughly inspect the attic. Your attic must have a vapor barrier under
the insulation to be effective. Water vapor passes through the ceiling.
Excessive moisture can lead to ineffective insulation and future
structural damage. Look at the different vapor barriers that can prevent
this from happening. For your home to be energy efficient, make sure
all gaps are sealed.
If it is economically feasible, replace your
doors and windows with energy efficient models. The initial investment
will be justified by lower energy bills. The cost to heat your home
during the cold months, makes ensuring that the exterior of your home is
properly sealed is a necessity.
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