Colorado Springs Vintage Homes Blog

Making your home more energy efficient

Colorado Springs Vintage Homes is happy to feature an article by our

NEWEST Guest Blogger

Mark W. Baxley with Brick and Mortar Home Inspections, Inc.

Making Your Home More Energy Efficient

Leaky windows and other gaps in your home can add costly dollars to your utility bill.  Ensuring your home is adequately sealed and well insulated can make a significant impact on your heating and cooling costs.

Identifying where air comes in and out of your home is the first step in making your home more energy efficient.

FLOORS, WALLS, AND CEILINGS

Adequately insulating the home is the most cost effective way to improve energy efficiency and comfort.  To earn the most savings, add insulation to the attic.  Generally, a minimum depth of 10″ – 14″ is recommended if insulating with loose fill fiberglass.  This could save up to 20% on heating and cooling costs.

When it comes to insulation, don’t forget about the water heater.  Water heaters 7 years or older will benefit from an insulating blanket.  This inexpensive investment will keep the water hot and reduce energy costs.

AIR DUCTS

Forced air heating and cooling systems use ducts to distribute air throughout the home.  Typically, 15% – 20% of the air that moves through the duct work is lost through poorly sealed connections and seams.  Insulating the ducts can significantly reduce air loss.

UTILITY PENETRATIONS

Adequately sealing gaps around utility penetrations (outside faucets, utility entrances, plumbing lines under sinks, etc.) can improve energy efficiency by reducing the amount of air coming in and out of the home.

WINDOWS AND DOORS

Poorly sealed windows and doors account for roughly 20% of a home’s heating and cooling losses.  Caulking and weather stripping reduces uncomfortable drafts and improves energy efficiency.  An exterior latex or silicone caulk is recommended for this application.  These materials will typically last 10 years or more.

Have a question?  Contact Mark at 719-380-0171

bam-home-inspections@comcast.net

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Kathy (719-287-1049)   KTorline@msn.com

Tags: colorado springs co realtor, Colorado Springs Realtor, energy efficiency, home buyer tips, home buyers colorado springs, Homes in Colorado Springs, insulation, new homes in Colorado Springs, windows

This entry was posted on Thursday, December 11th, 2008 at 6:53 am and is filed under For Buyers, For Sellers. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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