Tehama Country Real Estate

M o r e E n e r g y E f f i c i e n t HOW TO W hile new homes are being built to be more energy e cient than ever before, thanks to a grow- ing green building movement and increasingly strict building codes, the age of existing dwellings continues to present challenges. More than 40 percent of the housing stock in the United States was built before 1969 and simply wouldn't stand up to today's stan- dards. Yet, much can be done to help homeowners improve their building envelope to reduce energy use and increase e ciency. Improving your home's energy e ciency can help save money, keep you more comfortable, reduce pol- lution, and prevent global warming. Try these ve simple measures to maximize the energy e ciency of your home: 1. Seal cracks and gaps around your home's windows, doors, and vents. ese can be a considerable source of energy loss, allowing conditioned air to escape and unconditioned air to in ltrate your home, placing stress on your furnace and air conditioner in the pro- cess. An easy DIY solution is to caulk around win- dows, doors, and vents, and install or replace worn weatherstripping. An average home loses up to 30 percent of its energy through air leaks, so sealing your home is a worthwhile exercise. 2. Top up or replace old insulation in your attic. A poorly insulated attic is a primary source of energy loss. Also, over time, some types of insulation can settle and compact, allowing heat to escape through gaps. Experts recommend installing a dimensional- ly stable batt insulation like a Roxul product called Comfortbatt. Aim for an r-value of at least R-50, or a depth of roughly 16 inches. 3. Insulate basement headers. Uninsulated basement headers are common, especially in older homes. ey can act as a gateway for heated air to escape. Fixing the problem is fast and easy. Simply cut Comfortbatt stone wool insulation to t the cavity and compress into place. Doing this throughout your basement will prevent heat loss and can potentially save hundreds of dollars each year. 4. Switch to LED light bulbs. Some LED light bulbs have a lifespan of up to 10 years, and are 80 to 90 percent more e cient than incandescent bulbs. ey are generally more environmentally friendly than CFLs and safer, too, since they produce less heat. e return on investment is excellent, as LED bulbs o en pay for themselves through energy savings within the rst year. 5. Consider a home energy audit. is will help you identify and target speci c problematic areas of en- ergy loss. A professional home energy audit will also provide a list of recommended solutions to help you maximize your energy-e ciency strategy. M A K E A N O L D E R H O M E

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