Home Improvement » Energy Bills

4 Types Of Home Insulation

admin — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 10:08:52 +0000

Inspecting your home’s insulation is one of the quickest and most cost-effective methods you can undertake to reduce your spend on energy.

With a correct mixture of products and construction procedures your home can be protected against air leaks and moisture as well as reducing the impact of the temperature outside. In fact, studies have shown that proper insulation can improve your home’s temperature comfort by up to 10%.

If your house is built before 1980; if you find it overly cold in the winter or hot in the summer; if your energy bills are extreme; if you find noise from outside disturbs you; if you are extending or building; then you need to examine your insulation.

The first place to start checking is in your attic, ceiling, exterior and cellar walls, floors and crawl areas to determine what insulation you have and if it comes up to the recommended levels for your area.

Insulation material is measured in R-values. The higher the R-value the product carries, the better the level of protection against heat transfer.

The US Department of Energy (DOE) has published a recommended range of R-values for all areas across the country determined by local climatic conditions and cost of energy.

Although insulation is available in a wide variety of materials, it typically comes in four types; each with it’s own characteristics.

1) Rolls and batts (or blankets)
These are flexible and made from fibers, like fiberglass, rock wool, plastic or natural fibers. They are fitted between studs, joists, and beams and suitable for using in unfinished walls, floors and ceilings.

2) Loose-fill
This is generally made of fiberglass, rock wool, or cellulose and comes in small particles. It is installed by being blown into the space using a special pneumatic blower. It is great for adding insulation to existing areas, oddly shaped areas and around obstacles.

3) Rigid foam
Whilst generally more expensive than fiber products, it is very effective in buildings with space limitations and where higher R-values are needed. It is often used in unfinished walls; ceilings and floors; and un-vented low-slope roofs.

4) Foam-in-place
Is blown into walls and reduces air leakage. Good for adding insulation to existing completed spaces, irregularly shaped spots, and around obstructions.

There are many different variations of the four types listed above and literally hundreds of different products to choose form. Many homeowners are opting for a more ‘green’ approach and opting for natural products like wool. And many are even building homes using old techniques such as straw bale construction.

What ever the insulation option you choose, you will be impressed with the better temperature control and hopefully will be even more impressed with a reduction in your energy bills.

To Success In You Home Improvements

Bill Brennan

By: Bill Brennan

Home Improvement – Recycling to Aid the Poor

admin — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 19:09:21 +0000

As we continue to update and modernize our own homes, the problem arises concerning the proper way of disposing of the items that we have replaced. Do we overload our scrap yards without giving it a second thought or do we just dump the unwanted item wherever we can? Let’s forget about both of these objectionable options and strongly consider recycling to aid the poor.

As a result of higher energy costs, many homeowners are choosing to replace their existing windows with new energy efficient, double pane windows. This process mandates that the homeowner remove any storm windows that are currently installed over the windows that are to be replaced. Thoughtlessly discarding these perfectly good storm windows into the trash pile is absolutely wasteful and shameful. A better option would be to consider recycle these unwanted windows; recycling them to a charity that aids the poor and the needy people of this country.

Many homes today do not have storm windows at all. These homeowners are simply too poor to remodel their homes. This means that their winter energy bills are always outrageously high in spite of the fact that they are still cold. There are organizations whose main objective is to give aid to the poor. All they need is for caring people to recycle their unwanted items like storm windows. However, even though this article is about storm windows in particular, recycling to aid the poor can include anything from clothing to unwanted cars.

And if recycling to aid the poor is not satisfying enough, you can also save money on your federal income taxes by being qualified for making a charitable donation.

By: John R Roberts

Going ‘Green’ with Environmentally-Friendly Home Improvement Products

admin — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 06:04:27 +0000

Over the last few years, buying environment friendly products for the home has become an increasingly important consideration for homeowners looking to make “green” improvements to their living space. To address this growing need, products such as flooring, lighting and paneling, as well as materials like paint and varnish are now readily available for virtually every remodeling project and every room in the house.

Numerous States have now also adopted legislation that limits the use of products that contain harmful fumes or chemicals. The good thing about this is, other than the obvious Green benefits, that many of the products that adhere to the new legislation are also becoming more affordable and are therefore more likely to be found on the shelves in our local hardware and home improvement stores.

See The Light! And Still Save on Energy Bills

It’s no secret that energy prices have soared and if you are planning a home improvement project, one of the simplest ways you can protect the environment – as well as save money – is to use less electricity.

Lighting and major appliances consume the most electricity; simply by switching to fluorescent bulbs, you can save up to 30% a year on your electricity bills. You can save a noticeable amount of money on your lighting costs by painting walls a lighter color, thus distributing light more effortlessly as well as making rooms appear brighter.

Leaking ducts can account for a surprising amount of wasted energy – up to 30%. If you are planning to caulk around ducts, vents and windows be sure to use a product that complies with recent regulations concerning the use of less VOCs in its manufacture. These are volatile organic compounds which contain pollutants that damage the ozone layer, and also contribute to producing smog.

Paint may be your biggest cause of concern if you are planning a home improvement project. Read the small print on the tin to make sure it complies with VOC standards – almost 30 brands are now readily available. Typically, lighter colors of paint tend to contain fewer VOCs.

Tip-Top Countertops

Kitchen countertops are an area where it is possible to help the environment. A recent innovation is a countertop made entirely of recycled paper and water-based resin. You can also install countertops made of paper and cement so that the production involves no quarrying that damages the land.

The bathroom is one of the most important areas where you can help protect the environment. Around 75% of all water used in the home is used by the bathroom shower, toilet and sink combined. Low flow or adjustable showerheads are easy to install and a dual flush toilet – offering a full or half-flush – can potentially lower a typical water bill by up to $75 a year. An estimated 4 trillion gallons of water would be saved every year in the United States if every household installed a dual flush toilet.

The Japanese are well known for their inventive labor-saving and technologically advanced devices. One of their latest innovations may soon be commonplace in the United States – an ingenious combination toilet/bathroom sink – you wash your hands in water that is then used to flush the toilet.

Get Floored! In The Utmost Style of Course

And one of the biggest trends in home improvement? Many people, especially those moving into a new home, consider installing a new floor covering as one of their most important projects. Cork, bamboo and reclaimed wood flooring all have a strong visual appeal as well as helping the environment, and in recent years, these alternative materials for flooring have become popular.

Cork flooring has excellent insulating qualities and can save on energy costs; it also reduces noise and can help keep a home free from allergens. What’s more, it is surprisingly tough as well as being water resistant.

And one other thing to keep in mind if you are “going green” when remodeling or improving your home. Always dispose of old or unwanted materials safely – many materials can be donated for people to reuse, or otherwise recycled. If in doubt, check with your county recycling program.

The next time you are making improvements to your living space be sure to do your bit to protect our precious planet… Go Green!

By: Tom Willmar