Tips To Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

by | Jun 28, 2011 | 8, Articles

<h2 style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt"><font size="3" color="#990000">Tips To Make Your Home More Energy Efficient</font></h2><font size="2"> </font> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: ‘Verdana’,’sans-serif’; letter-spacing: 1pt">(ARA) – Homeowners everywhere are giving inefficient windows and doors the cold shoulder this year.</span></p><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: ‘Verdana’,’sans-serif’; letter-spacing: 1pt"><p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">According to a recent study commissioned by JELD-WEN, a leading manufacturer of windows and doors, nearly 26 percent of homeowners say what they dislike most about their existing windows and doors is that they are drafty and inefficient. As the temperature outside drops, homeowners notice that these inefficiencies quickly turn into rising utility bills. </p>  <p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">As much as half of the energy used in a home goes toward heating and cooling, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. To minimize the energy and dollars spent to heat a home this winter, it’s essential that windows and doors are energy efficient. </p><p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"> </p><div style="text-align: center"><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,29,0" width="425" height="282"><param name="movie" value="../images/banners/8a.swf" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="menu" value="false" /><param name="wmode" value="" /><embed src="../images/banners/8a.swf" wmode="" quality="high" menu="false" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="282"></embed></object></div>  <p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">"Energy efficient windows and doors are crucial to maintaining a home’s comfort during even the coldest months," says Brian Hedlund, product marketing manager for JELD-WEN. "Homeowners who replace single-pane glass windows with ENERGY STAR qualified products can save $125 to $450 on energy costs annually, according to ENERGY STAR."</p>  <p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">To maximize a home’s energy efficiency, consider the following tips:</p> <strong>1. Start at the front.</strong> <p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">A home’s front door can play a vital role as one of the first lines of defense against the elements. If a door does not close properly or lets in a draft, a homeowner’s utility bills can pay the price. Homeowners should check the weather-stripping and any gaps around the door that can let heat escape. If these features cannot be easily fixed, it may be time to replace the door.</p> <strong>2. Glass matters.</strong> <p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Choosing windows with insulated Low-E glass is an important step in making a room more energy efficient because the special coating helps reflect some of the interior heat back into the home. These double-paned windows also greatly enhance energy efficiency, compared to single-paned windows. </p>  <p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Vinyl windows have become exceedingly popular because of their low maintenance and energy efficient features. For homeowners who prefer wood windows, manufacturers like JELD-WEN have introduced "pocket" replacement windows that come with Low-E glass and are designed for installation into existing window frames, which makes the process simpler, quicker and less damaging to a home’s structure.</p> <strong>3. Drive home efficiency.</strong> <p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">The garage is often forgotten when it comes to energy efficiency, but it’s one of the largest entry points of the home. The temperature of a garage greatly affects the overall temperature of the entire home. For energy savings in the garage, find a proper-fitting garage door and make sure that the door leading from the garage to the inside of the home is also energy efficient. </p> <strong>4. Energy efficiency pays off.</strong> <p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Beyond the initial purchase price of a product, consider the long-term value that energy efficient products offer in terms of annual measurable savings. Homeowners who make energy efficient updates to their home, including windows and doors, can qualify for up to $500 in federal tax credits if installed by Dec. 31, 2007.</p>  <p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Specifically, the tax credit for replacing exterior windows is 10 percent the product cost, up to $200. The credit for exterior doors is 10 percent of the product cost, up to $500. The maximum amount of homeowner credit for all improvements is $500.</p><p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"> </p><div style="text-align: center"><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,29,0" width="425" height="282"><param name="movie" value="../images/banners/8b.swf" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="menu" value="false" /><param name="wmode" value="" /><embed src="../images/banners/8b.swf" wmode="" quality="high" menu="false" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="282"></embed></object></div>  <p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">For more information about energy efficient windows and doors, visit www.jeld-wen.com or call (800) 877-9482.</p>  <p><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: ‘Verdana’,’sans-serif’; letter-spacing: 1pt">Courtesy of ARAcontent</span></p></span>