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Advantages of Additional Attic Insulation

1 comment By Jacob Filed in attic insulation Tagged with June 17th, 2010 @ 7:46 pm

Attic insulation has several advantages. It can save homeowners money on electric bills. Homes will be cooler in summer and warmer in winter. Insulation also helps reduce noise. As an added bonus, the government may help pay for the insulation.

Home insulation helps owners save money on their home heating and cooling bills: by adding insulation to a poorly insulated home, electric bills could be cut by up to 20%. For an electric bill of $300 dollars per month, a household could save as much as $60. The Federal Government is offering tax incentives for insulating the home. The Residential Energy Efficiency Tax Credit will allow individuals to receive credit up to $1500 dollars for improving the building insulation of their residence. This credit is only available until the end of 2010, however.

In addition to Federal incentives, many states and local communities offer grants, loans, and rebate programs. Check with your local power company or utility for details. For instance, Tampa Electric has the Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program. They offer rebates (if the owner meets various conditions) for installation of insulation in walls and ceilings.

In order to maximize the amount you save on your electric bill, concentrate fiberglass insulation installation efforts on the following areas. Be sure the house roof is insulated, and also any unheated space between the roof and residence areas. It is important to insulate exterior walls, especially around windows. If the residence has a room over an unheated garage, place insulation in the ceiling of the garage. Insulate basement walls and ceilings.

Home insulation reduces noise, especially when using fiberglass sheets or batting. R-value is the resistance to heat flow; the higher the R-value of the insulation, the better the noise reduction and the greater the energy insulation value.

Key points to remember are that building insulation could reduce energy bills and the government may help pay for the installation. It keeps the home more comfortable for the resident by reducing temperature in the summer; increasing the temperature in the winter and reducing noise.

A Propane Wall Furnace Will Warm Your Soul

0 comments By Jacob Filed in heating Tagged with , , , , February 25th, 2010 @ 10:48 pm

Anyone that is ever had to work outdoors in a garage during the winter knows the feeling when there is no heat. While there truly is never a need for constant heat in a garage or out building it’s always nice to have it available. A propane wall furnace can solve this issue, in short order giving you the warmth you need at a price you can afford.

A propane wall furnace is a great alternative to piping either natural gas to an outbuilding or utilizing too much electricity to run radiant heat. The purpose behind choosing a propane heater is to not only provide heat but also to help keep the utility bills low. Propane gas is decidedly much cheaper than electricity over the long run and is easily acquired locally.

Propane wall heaters are perfect for use not only in the garage but also outdoors in areas such as a gazebo, patio or sunroom. Many of the models are small enough to be mounted almost anywhere. While these give off a great deal of heat, they are fully tested with built-in safety features, and will cause no need for worry during their use.

These propane heaters are thermostatically controlled along with being rigorously tested by the Underwriters Laboratory and adhere to all their safety guidelines. There are certain guidelines when mounting these heaters to a wall. The most important guideline to remember is distance all round, above and below the unit.

These clearances insure unobstructed flow for the heat from the unit along with cutting down on any fire hazards. It is imperative to follow all of the installation guidelines in regards to these clearances. These are put in place for your protection at all proper clearances will be found in the manufacturer’s instructions for installation included with each unit.

Air Conditioner Repair and Maintenance Tips

0 comments By Jacob Filed in energy efficiency Tagged with , February 23rd, 2010 @ 3:22 am

Cleaning and maintaining an air conditioner regularly will pay off with many years of service for the unit. Regular maintenance can save energy, lower electric bills and perhaps avoid expensive service repair calls. If the unit is unfamiliar it is a good idea to look at the service manual and read any recommended maintenance tips or suggested service intervals for maintenance.  As a good rule of thumb, you should have your air conditioner serviced once a year. This will prevent you from needing the services of a company like Air Conditioner Repair Atlanta, and save you lots of money in the long run.

The best way to start working on an air conditioner is to turn it off and unplug the wires. Use a dry cloth to wipe it down and remove the build up of dust. If the unit has a remote control, be sure and wipe this down as well. Remove the panel cover and wash it down with a bucket of hot soapy water and a sponge. Using any types of harsh chemicals or strong abrasives is not recommended.

One of the most important maintenance items is cleaning the filter. Dirty clogged filters are not efficient and they pollute the air that is circulated through out the home. If it is a reusable filter clean with hot soapy water or if it is a disposable replace the filter. The rule of thumb for filter maintenance is to clean or replace them about once a month. Air dry the filter and snap it back into position after cleaning.

The condenser coil needs to be cleaned periodically when it develops a thick layer of dust. Clean the coil with a vacuum cleaner removing as much dust as possible. It is not recommended to clean the condenser coil or in and around this area with water; too many electrical pieces of equipment that could be damaged. If the fins are no longer in a straight position use a fin comb to put them back into place.

Replace any panels or parts that you may have removed during the cleaning process and reconnect the power and wires. Verify that everything is in good working order since performing maintenance. Remove any new weeds or grass surrounding the air condition unit.

For even more great tips on keeping your home’s air conditioning working smoothly, check out the Heating and Air Guide.

Attic Insulation Installation

0 comments By John Filed in attic insulation, installation Tagged with , , February 8th, 2010 @ 5:30 am

An attic that is insulated well makes your home much warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer which saves you a ton of money on your energy bill. It also keeps you comfortable which is important too. Attic insulation installation is pretty easy to do and relatively inexpensive.

The first step is buying the insulation that you will be putting into your attic. This might be cellulose, fiberglass batts, or foil depending on your needs. The first consideration is how much r-value you need with your insulation. When you go to the store you will notice that all the bags have a r-value rating on their labels. The higher the r-value, the greater its resistance to heat transfer. The amount of r-value that you need depends on where you live and what type of heating system is in your home. The Department of Energy has a ZIP Code Insulation Program website that can help you determine how much insulation you’ll need based on your ZIP code. It is a pretty neat tool. You will also need to calculate how much insulation you’ll need. This will require a measuring tape, calculator, and your noggin. You should probably buy a little bit extra just in case and you can always return what you don’t use.

Things you will need when it is time to install your attic insulation:

  • Gloves
  • Full-covering clothes
  • Mask
  • Utility knife
  • Measuring tape
  • Insulation

This is a job that can definitely be completed by one person, but it helps to have a helper. You will want to begin at the end of one side of the attic space and work your way back to the attic access. Make sure to carefully keep your weight on the joists in your attic. Either unroll the insulation batts or blow in the insulation with a machine. Take care not to step on and compress any of the insulation. Make sure that you fully cover every area of the attic out to the edges. Depending on the type of insulation you use, you will want to keep the insulation away from recessed fixtures or wiring that might cause a fire from flammable insulation. You might want to bring a small piece of plywood into the attic with you so that you can kneel as you work without having to balance on the joists. Once you have covered the whole area with insulation then you are done. It really was that easy!

Save Money with a Hot Water Heater Blanket

0 comments By Jacob Filed in insulation blankets Tagged with , , , , January 12th, 2010 @ 10:35 pm

Every winter families all across the country stress over utility bills. The cost of heating and electricity bills tend to skyrocket this time of year. Imagine if there was one simple action that could significantly reduce energy costs in a given winter. As a matter of fact, there is. Installing a hot water heater blanket can significantly reduce energy bills.

A hot water heater uses energy to heat water for a household. Hot water is used in sinks, showers, dishwashers, and washing machines. The larger the family, the more hot water is used. The more hot water that is used, the more energy required to heat it and therefore the larger the energy bill.

Hot water heater location also plays a large role in energy costs. If a hot water tank is outside, and the outdoor temperature is 20 degrees, then the tank needs to heat the water 120 degrees if the thermostat is set at 140. If the tank is in a 60 degree garage, the tank needs to heat the water 80 degrees. Even if the tank is in an 80 degree closet, the water still needs a 60 degree increase. Regardless, it takes a lot of energy to heat water and a hot water heater blanket drastically reduces the amount of energy needed to heat the water.

Best of all, hot water heater insulation blankets are usually very inexpensive. Some insulating blankets can be purchased for around $10. A blanket that cheap will pay for itself in the first month.

Better still, insulation on hot water heater blankets is simple. Almost anyone can install a hot water heater blanket, especially on an electric water heater. Anyone looking for a simple way to save money this winter should most definitely consider purchasing a blanket for a hot water heater – in the long run, you’ll save a lot of money, and hopefully enjoy some nice long showers!

Guide to Insulating Attic

2 comments By John Filed in attic insulation Tagged with , , January 13th, 2009 @ 10:18 pm

insulating atticOne of the most effective energy savers is insulating attic thoroughly with a substantial r-value material. That leaves you with several options depending on the make up of your attic and the region your home is located.

Properly insulating and sealing your attic can significantly help reduce your energy bills. The good news is that attics are often one of the easiest places in a house to insulate, especially if you would simply like to add more insulation.

Loose-fill and batt-insulation are the most common insulation types installed in an attic. Although installation costs vary, loose-fill insulation is typically less expensive than batt-insulation. When installed correctly, loose-fill insulation generally provides much better coverage.

While a layer of insulation on the attic floor is usually enough coverage, you might consider installing a radiant barrier in your attic along with the floor insulation if you live in a warmer climate.

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