When winter heating bills skyrocket, it can feel overwhelming. The good news? You can lower your heating costs and enjoy a comfortable, warm home this winter by installing new doors, windows, or adding attic insulation. And if you upgrade with more than one of these, it could result in significant savings!
Understanding where warm interior air escapes your home is the first step. Inspect your windows, doors, and insulation to find the primary offender, and begin your upgrade by addressing it. Read on to discover valuable energy-saving improvements to boost your indoor comfort this winter.
Improve Your Home’s Energy Efficiency and Reduce Heating Costs This Winter
Stop Drafts with Durable Replacement Windows
Do you have old windows with cracks and gaps that leak heated air out and allow cold air into your home? A prime culprit for energy loss in a house is worn-out windows. They should be replaced to decrease your energy use and increase indoor comfort this winter.
Single-pane windows upgraded to double- or triple-panes enhance your home’s insulation. Adding Argon gas between panes results in even better results. Windows with Low-E coatings reduce energy loss by 30 percent or more. Be aware of the NFRC rating on new windows. When noting their U-factor and solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) ratings, the lower the number the better. You may qualify for a tax credit of 30 percent of the cost of new windows (up to a certain amount) after replacing your windows.
Ensure Energy Efficiency with New Exterior Doors
A new door adds significant value to your home by boosting curb appeal, enhancing security, optimizing energy efficiency, and delivering a good return on your investment (ROI). New doors have better insulation, which improves your home’s energy efficiency and lowers monthly utilities. Energy-efficient doors come with adjustable thresholds and sealing systems that minimize air leakage. Doors are available in durable fiberglass, low-maintenance steel, or classic wood, and each has their advantages. Adding a storm door is another way to decrease energy loss.
Add Insulation to Your Home for Optimal Energy Efficiency
Sealing and insulating your house won’t change its looks, but will improve indoor comfort each winter and provide energy savings. Over 50 percent of a home’s energy use goes to heating and cooling. By creating a tighter building envelope with air sealing and insulation, your warm air will stay inside each winter, and cool air will stay indoors each summer, cutting home energy use by about 10 percent.
These simple upgrades are cost-effective, and when combined with replacing your doors and windows you can see even greater savings. Hiring a professional to add insulation to your attic is essential. Air sealing insulation projects may be eligible for tax credit of up to 30 percent of the project.
Add a Skylight
Installing a skylight helps save on energy use for indoor lighting, and can boost your home’s heat retention. Adding a skylight on a south-facing slope will help heat up your home during the winter. Include a shade to block excess solar heat on warm days. You may qualify for a tax credit if you meet the ENERGY STAR® criteria they have outlined.
Practical First Steps to Increase Indoor Comfort
Add Thermal Curtains
Thermal curtains provide an extra layer of insulation by using material that reduces heat transfer. As a bonus, thermal curtains also block light and reduce noise infiltration. Hang them as close to the window as possible to trap chilly air before it enters your room.
Improve Your Window’s Seal
If you are planning a window replacement in the future but need help now, consider adding storm windows to your existing ones to lower energy loss. Next, caulk around your windows to seal them well, and install transparent window film (applied directly to the glass to retain heat and block UV rays).
Upgrade Your Attic Insulation to Add Comfort to Your Home
When you struggle to keep a consistent, comfortable temperature in your home each winter, that’s a signal that you need attic insulation replacement. While doors and windows may be the first place you look, your insulation could be the culprit.
When attic insulation wears out, it can put a strain on your HVAC system to keep your home comfortable. At Presidential Exteriors, we install attic insulation with expertise, ensuring your home stays comfortable throughout the winter. Learn more about how our insulation services can preserve your heating and air conditioning unit while saving you on utility bills.
