High Energy Bills
Diagnosis:
One reason for high energy bills is an increase in the price of electricity or heating fuel. However, it is common to trace high energy bills to an in-efficient component (windows, heating and cooling equipment, ducts insulation) of your home or a failure of one of these components to perform as intended. It is not always easy to pin-point the problem, but fixing it can make your home more energy-efficient and comfortable.
Prescription Checklist:
To improve the energy efficiency of your home start with an evaluation of your homes energy use.
* To get started today use our Home Improvement Tools to score your home’s energy use and generate a customized list of improvement. You will need one year of your utility bills handy.
* For best results hire a contractor who is an energy specialist to do an in-home evaluation. A good specialist will use diagnostic equipment to evaluate the performance of your home and generate a customized list of improvements.
* Improvements may include sealing air leaks, adding insulation (Home Sealing) or sealing duct air leaks. Some of these you can do yourself, but you may prefer to hire a contractor.
* Turn down the temperature on your water heater to 120 degrees F.
* Replace the light bulbs in your highest usage lights with ENERGY STAR CFL bulbs.
* When replacing lighting or appliances look for ENERGY STAR qualified light fixtures and appliances
* Install a programmable thermostat, and use it to save energy while you are away at work.
* Contact your utility and ask if they offer any programs to help lower energy bills.
Is your home cold, drafty, or uncomfortable? Do you have high energy bills? Ice dams? Peeling paint? Excessive dust? Addressing these types of home problems can make your home more comfortable, and at the same time improve its energy efficiency — saving you money on utility bills and helping to protect the environment too.
High Energy Bills
High utility bills in summer and winter can often be traced to air leaks in your home’s envelope, inefficient windows or inefficient or incorrectly installed heating and cooling equipment, or poorly sealed and insulated ducts.
Mold, Mildew or Musty Odors
Water leaks or high humidity can lead to mold and mildew. This can cause wood rot, structural damage, peeling paint, and a variety of health problems. Often, high humidity in homes with central air conditioners can be traced to improperly sized or installed air conditioners.
Damp Basement
A damp basement is commonly caused by moisture migrating through the foundation. As this moisture evaporates, it increases indoor humidity and can promote the growth of mold — resulting in an uncomfortable house.
Cold Floors in Winter
Some types of floor coverings (such as wood, stone, tile, or concrete) will naturally feel cold on bare feet. However, insufficient insulation or air infiltration can also cause cold floors.
Drafty Rooms
Cold air coming into or going out of your house, especially through leaks hidden in the attic and basement, can cause rooms to feel drafty and uncomfortable.
Dust
Increased dust could be a sign that it is time to change your air filter or that your ductwork is not well sealed.
Moisture on Windows
Inefficient windows or high indoor moisture levels from air leaks can result in condensation, frost, or pools of water on windows and sills.
Ice Dams
Warm air inside your home leaks into the attic and will warm the underside of the roof causing snow and ice to melt and refreeze as it runs off your roof — forming icicles and ice dams.
Peeling Paint
Peeling or cracking paint on your home’s exterior may be a sign of a humidity problem or improper paint application.
Hot or Cold Rooms
Significant differences in temperature from one room to another could be caused by several factors, including inadequate insulation, air leakage, poor duct performance, and improperly installed heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system.
Dry Indoor Air in Winter
Air leaks in your home allow warm humid air to escape and draw in drier colder air.