Tips for Saving Energy During Summertime

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Particularly if your home is not as energy-efficient as it may be, the severe summer temperatures of Texas necessitate practically continual air conditioning. Nevertheless, you may still use your house as a sanctuary throughout the summer without having to sacrifice your cash. Make use of these suggestions to keep your house cool and cozy till the summer heat subsides.

Maintain Your Central Air Conditioning

Your central air conditioner will operate frequently during the long Texas summer. In order to keep your system operating as effectively as possible, maintenance is essential. You might eventually save enough energy to make up for any maintenance costs. Some things you can do on your own. Up to 15% more efficiency can be achieved with air conditioning by just changing a blocked air filter. Keeping furniture far from vents and routinely sweeping any dust from your system’s registers will both increase the effectiveness of your air conditioner.

Unplug your devices

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By removing standby electricity that chargers, and conventional power strips use even while not in use, disconnecting gadgets from their appropriate outlets or by using smart power strips can help cut energy expenditures when you do decide to leave the house.

Minimize Airflow

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Windows, doors, and other tiny spaces allow cool air to easily leave your house. In particular during the summertime, reducing cold air loss and humid air infiltration can significantly improve the efficiency of your home. Use caulk to fill in any gaps and add weather-stripping around doors and windows to further improve efficiency in order to preserve the thermal envelope of your home.

Learn Thermostat Basics Thoroughly

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By carefully regulating the cooling system of your home, smart programmable thermostats can save your electricity consumption. To use as little air conditioning as possible, calibrate your thermostat as close as you can to the air temp outside. Additionally, keep any lights and appliances far off from the thermostat to prevent an incorrect reading that can force your air conditioner to operate longer than necessary.

Additionally, you can program your thermostat to increase the temperature at night or when the outdoor temperature is low when you aren’t home. Don’t turn the thermostat all the way down if you get home to a warm house; you would not get your house cooler any faster and you will probably waste energy by overcooling it.

Minimize Appliance Usage

It might seem like a no-brainer to use fewer appliances, but you can also make your house cooler by doing so. There is a moderate amount of heat produced by electronics like hair dryers, stereos, desktop computer, dishwashers, and ovens which produce significantly more heat. On warm days, think about using a microwave or cooking outside to preserve the cooling impact in your home.

One technique you could do is filling your washing machine and dishwasher completely every time you use any. It will be also helpful if you run them at night when it is cooler to further limit your electricity usage. Additionally, think about replacing your old appliances with Energy Star models which use power just as sparingly as you do.

Ceiling Fan Helps

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An air-conditioned room might be felt cooler thanks to a ceiling fan. You can increase your thermostat’s temperature and save more energy because of this cooling impact. Convectional cooling, however, just modifies your perception of temperature; it has no impact on the real ambient air temperature of the room. In other words, the fan will make you feel cool when you are in the same room with it, but the temperature in your house would not change. Therefore, keep in mind to turn off the fans whenever you leave a space.

Spend Some Time Outside

Lastly, you might as well spend the most of summer having fun. Right, you just want to avoid from the summer heat by cooling at home. But other than socializing with others and enjoying activities we cannot do in the winter, what is the purpose of summer? You do not use the energy that’d otherwise be utilized to cool you off when you are outside the house. Your energy expenditures can be decreased by turning off the lights, the air conditioner, and appliances that use a lot of electricity, like the water heater or the stove.

Sunroom: Let Sunlight In, Save Energy

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Photo: Point3D Commercial Imaging Ltd. on Unsplash

Everyone is looking for ways to conserve energy, whether it is through the use of hybrid vehicles, energy-efficient lightbulbs, bicycles, or public transit in place of a personal vehicle. Being aware of the effects each of us has on the environment and our energy costs is crucial. Natural sunlight is the most regenerative and cost-free energy source. Here are some suggestions for a sunroom that might help you save electricity while comfortably soaking up the intense natural sunlight of summer days.

Set Up An Acrylic Roof System

There are several benefits to installing an acrylic roof over your covered porch. It provides protection from the sun’s harmful UV rays while simultaneously allowing natural light to show through thanks to its translucent surface. It is sturdy enough to withstand hail and powerful storms, and even if it sustains damage, the solid panels won’t break. It takes almost no maintenance and is simple to install. The sunroom will remain cool, sunny, energy-efficient, and attractive thanks to an acrylic roof system.

You may save a lot of energy by converting your porch into an enclosed sunroom that can be used as a living space, office, or reading room. But for a homeowner to undertake the renovations might be a major headache. Therefore, employing a qualified expert is beneficial. See some of our prior work in our before-and-after gallery. Once you’re certain, get in touch with us and let us know which energy-saving components you want to have put in your sunroom. You can get a free estimate from us.

Install Energy-Efficient Windows

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Sunrooms are largely made of glass windows by nature. But it’s vital to remember that not all windows retain heat equally. familiarize yourself with the glass’s U-factor solar heat loss coefficient. The window will be more energy-efficient the lower the U-factor. The U-factor of single-paned windows is too high for them to be effective glass windows, and as a result, the room will be overheated and stuffy. Look for windows that block the sun’s UV rays while reducing heat. By doing this, you will conserve energy and ensure year-round comfort in your sunroom.

Use Ceiling Fans

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Sunrooms offer a beautiful view, but even with energy-efficient windows, they can get uncomfortable hot during the warmest days of the summer. Consider adding a ceiling fan to keep the space comfortable and cool. In addition to lowering your utility costs, this will help you stay cool on those scorching Texas days by generating a breeze. To move warm air upward through the room in the cold, consider turning the fan’s blades in the opposite direction.

Insulate Properly

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Proper insulation is more crucial to keeping your sunroom pleasant throughout the chill of winter and the intense Texas summer. Weatherstrip all of the room’s frames and make sure all cracks and leaks are completely sealed. When the harsh temps arrive, you’ll be glad you took this precaution.

Tips for Air Conditioning Unit Upkeep

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Regular maintenance keeps your air conditioner running efficiently and reduces expenditures. Continue reading for additional advice on maintaining your air conditioner. Air conditioners require some maintenance to function properly. Fortunately, AC repair involves a lot of do-it-yourself projects.

1. Inspect Unit Annually

Your local dealer or the one who set up your central air conditioning should put you on a regular maintenance program that includes more than just changing the filters.

Schedule this checkup for before the cold season begins or perform it right away. Include the following chores in your checkup:

  • Monitoring pressures and refrigerant
  • Checking the operational temperatures
  • Filter maintenance or replacement
  • Examining safeguards and controls
  • Maintaining and inspecting fans and blowers
  • Changing and adjusting fan belts
  • Examining and cleaning coils

2. Let Adequate Air In

Too many internal doors closed will throw off the balance of the central air conditioning system, reducing the amount of airflow throughout the entire house. Instead, leave the doors slightly ajar if you prefer some privacy.

3. Clean or Replace Filter

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Installing new filters each month in the cold season will increase the efficiency of your central and window air conditioners. If your filters are washable, you may also clean them. For household air conditioning systems, look for the filter’s minimum efficiency reporting value or MERV, which goes from 1 to 12. The higher the number, the better filtration it offers.

4. Keep the Air Cool by Insulating

To make the air inside ducts cold, they should be enclosed in humid attics or crawl spaces. Use foil tape to seal the battery and solid insulation. Wraps provide some insulation for confined places.

5. Fix Leakage

Window air conditioning units are notoriously difficult to properly seal, and ducts can lose up to 30% of their airflow through leaks. Use the time-tested smoke method to detect leaks.

Hold an incense stick at the duct lines for central air conditioning; ignite an incense stick and place it right where the window frame and unit meet for window units. If the smoke spreads, there is a leak. For smaller gaps in ducting, use foil tape; for larger ones, duct mastic; for window air conditioners, place foam between the unit and the window’s frame, taping as necessary.

6. Maintain Your Condenser or Compressor

The air compressor and condenser of a central air conditioning system are often placed at your home’s foundation, outside the building. Get rid of any neighboring bushes, grass that is too tall, leaves, and dangling branches because it functions best when there is around 24 inches of clean space in all directions.

7. Keep Your AC Unit Cool

If your windows have treatments like blinds or shades, keep them drawn during the day to prolong the life of your air conditioning system. You may also install awnings to protect south-facing windows from harsh sunlight. To more efficiently move cooled air, think about using the AC alongside floor or ceiling fans.

8. Install Timer

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While you are at work, there’s no need to crank up the air conditioning. Install a thermostat that is programmable for central units so that you can set warmer temperatures when you are away and colder temperatures when you are home.

Thermostats and timers are already integrated into newer window units, or you can purchase one for $10 to $20 at any home store; just make sure the voltage is right for your device. Do not turn off the system unless you are going on vacation.

9. Get an Efficiency Upgrade

Federal regulations mandate that AC units be much more energy-efficient than they were even ten years ago. The statistic is known as the seasonal energy-efficiency ratio, or SEER, for central air conditioning; it is known as the energy-efficiency ratio, or EER, for window units. Although a SEER of 13 and an EER of 8 are required by the requirements, equipment with greater figures will be less expensive to operate.

Which Sustainable Home Type Is For You?

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There are several benefits whether you are thinking about custom building or purchasing a sustainable home. Many features and advantages of sustainable homes cannot be found in traditional home construction. However, a sustainable home requires a lot of work, and we reckon that it may be challenging to sort.

There are many various methods that home builders and owners try to make their homes sustainable. Here are a few of the most typical methods used to construct sustainable homes.

Container Homes

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A sustainable home made out of repurposed shipping containers is an additional alternative for housing that homeowners should think about. Because they make use of recycled materials and used containers that are being thrown away, these homes are far more affordable than other models.

You will discover that many of these various sustainable home designs share common traits when you begin to research them. Here are some things your environmentally friendly home should have.

Zero Carbon Homes

A net-negative carbon footprint yearly is the goal of a zero-carbon home. This indicates that they will generate energy from renewable resources such as solar panels while simultaneously being very an energy-efficient home.

When paired with renewable energy systems, zero energy (or net zero energy) homes feature an energy-efficient appliances. Over the course of a year, their total power generation minus the total energy used is equal to zero.

Zero-carbon homes operate with no net emissions of carbon dioxide. This indicates that over the course of a year, the residence will use as much electricity from carbon-emitting sources as it does from renewable ones.

Prefabricated Homes

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These green homes are constructed in factories (with ready-built walls, interior doors, kitchen sink, windows, cupboards, etc.) which are then delivered to the construction site, where they are put together there. The theory behind such green homes is because they come together considerably more quickly, they can be more economical, energy-efficient, and less harmful to the environment. Because they are only actually exposed to the weather for about two weeks while being constructed on site, these homes can also be sturdier and built better.

Tiny Houses

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If you are a planning to go “nomad” and is environmentally concerned, tiny homes might be the type for you. These eco-friendly homes typically range in size from 9 to 40 square meters (100-400 square feet). They are frequently constructed on trailers to be readily relocated and offer their owners an excellent mobile living option. Small homes have many benefits, including the ability to live clutter-free, cost savings from having less room which lowers monthly electricity bills, and less of an impact on the environment due to its small size. A tiny house is a terrific choice for a lifestyle that conforms to minimalism. Having a small footprint is nothing to be terrified of; some apartments are merely 400 square feet.

Energy-Efficient Doors and Windows

Energy-efficient door and windows will minimize heat loss in the winter or summer in a warmer region, and they will also block moisture that can cause mold or mildew growth.

Sustainable Water Supply System

You must keep in mind that your eco-friendly home has a water supply system that is sustainable whether you utilize rainwater collecting, water filtration technologies, or sustainable architecture. This usually means that you will need a well nearby for your house.

Green Roofing

Another excellent option to create a sustainable home is by installing a green roof. There are many ways to use a green roof to improve your home. Another excellent technique to make use of your roofing and extend the life of your house is to collect rainwater.

Insulation

The ideal insulation for a sustainable home is high-efficiency insulation. As a result, you should make sure that your home has R50 of insulation throughout. Although it may be expensive, doing this will have a massive effect on the amount of energy your home requires to warm and cool it.

Source of Renewable Energy

Sustainable housing is elevated to a whole new level with the aid of renewable energy. Your sustainable home will have the power it needs to function off the grid while you are away for an extended period of time thanks to solar panels or other alternative energy sources. Solar energy is the most widely used renewable energy source, however geothermal and wind power are also renewable sources.

Save Money from Insulating Your Home

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By improving the insulation in your home, you can save money and raise its market value. Fun things abound in the fall months, including joyful holidays, vibrant foliage, and the first comfortable snowfall. But what about one less enjoyable feature? Rising energy costs when the weather cools and the thermostat is turned up.

As stated by the U.S. Department of Energy, heating and cooling use up around 50 to 70 percent of a home’s energy budget. Your home may not be adequately insulated, which is one of the major causes your energy costs may increase throughout the winter (and summer, too, when the air conditioner is running). A sustainable home is also better for the environment. A home that is insulated well is a certain way to keep your utility costs under control. So how does insulation in homes lower energy costs? Let’s look at it.

Is Your Home Insulated?

As per North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA), 90% of homes in the country are not insulated enough, so there is a good possibility your home needs some improvement. The best approach to tell if your insulation is enough is to assess it and compare its R-value to that of the United States.

You can check the insulation of an unfinished ceilings or walls, or you can remove the cover from an electrical outlet and explore the wall hollow around it. Just see to it that electricity is off for safety reasons. Additionally, physical indications of inadequate insulation should be sought out such as temperature differences from each room, soaring energy bill when using your HVAC system, drafts that come from windows, doors, or dry vent.

Best Space You Should Put Insulation

Photo: Pricewise Insulation

You will have the greatest idea of where to concentrate your insulation upgrades after you do an energy assessment of your house. Although it is safe to assume that the attic is where to start in the majority of homes especially houses that are constructed before the 60s.

To safeguard the living areas below, insulation should be placed above and between floor joists. Additionally, you should check the insulation levels in any exterior walls, walls separating the house from unheated area and floors above unheated areas. Sealing drafts from your dryer vent, fireplace, window and door frames, and other places is also essential.

Cost Of Home Insulation Compared to Energy Savings

While some people might object to the cost of good insulation, the investment should be worthwhile.
According to the EPA, installing insulation in attics and basement can help the average homeowner save up to 15% on cooling and heating expenditure. A household would save roughly $200 a year with this. You can calculate the savings you’d see over time after improving the insulation in your home because the typical price of insulation ranges from $0.20 to $0.50 per square foot. Furthermore, A house with good insulation typically sells for more money.

Upgrade Your Insulation Now

For the majority of homeowners, improving a home with inadequate insulation is worthwhile. It is a home upgrade that will save money on energy costs and increase the value of your home, plus it has the added advantage of lowering emission of greenhouse gas. Think carefully and practically. Consider your options and create a strategy that will guarantee you a home that is adequately insulated and sealed.

Keeping Your Room Warm With Curtains

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If one winter utility bills are exorbitant, you may need to make some modifications to your room’s thermal mass. The cash you invest on electric bills can be limited if you are wise enough to utilize the facilities allocated to you.

Shutters can help us make a space humid by continuous existence inside the house rather than making it possible to fly through the windows. During the winter, you lose a significant amount of heat through your windows. Often these people, however, are unaware of this simple fact.

The changes you make to your shutters and when you open and close them can have a significant impact on how much money you save on your electric bills. If you’re not sure if your window will keep the room warm, keep reading to learn how curtains help with warmth.

How Do Curtains Help To Keep A Room Warm?

The answer is simple; the shades serve as a wall between the cold and hot air passages. The temperature escapes through the windows, enabling the cold to infiltrate.

All double windows cannot prevent all heat from exiting. Nevertheless, by wrapping heavy curtains over your window, you can preclude heat from leaving the room and keep it warmer and cozier. Curtains cause resistance, so that some heat particles will still escape, but on average, most heat particles will encounter the hindrance and will be unable to flee the room.

In addition to that, the amount of sunshine you allow in during the day is important. The more and more sunlight you allow in every day, the lower your electricity bills will be. This will keep the room warm and dry for longer, and you will save money on electricity bills if you use light from the sun as your primary heating and lighting source. The smart way to retain heat in the room and keep it warm for longer is to close the curtains as soon as the sun sets. This prevents heat molecules from escaping and cold particles from entering the room. The curtains will act as the ultimate shield between the two, preserving the room warm for an extended period of time.

What Amount Of Heat Can Curtains Keep?

Curtains serve as an insulating material, forming a thick barrier that prevents cold and warm air from combining and making the room colder. Choosing the proper curtains for your home is critical if you want to stay warm, make your home warmer, and save money on power bills. Insulating material curtains include a lining at the back to help with insulation. It reduces airflow while also reducing noise. If you can’t find insulating material curtains, recommend introducing another layer to your curtains, which will also add insulation. The back lining does not have to be big and clunky, and it can be cloth or cotton to keep your stylish curtains looking and feeling good.

How To Select The Best Curtains To Keep Your Room Warm

There are many different curtain materials available, a few of which are excellent for keeping the room warm. Here is another buying guide for the best heat-retaining curtains.

1. Blackout Drapes

Photo: IKEA

Blackout curtains are primarily used this to keep the room dark, but they are also excellent at keeping the room warm. The primary function of the blackout curtain is to keep brightness out of the room. People are also used to keeping the room private. Blackout curtains, on the other hand, keep the room warmer than typical curtains. Blackout curtains retain heat better than traditional curtains and can help maintain almost any room warmer.

2. Thermal Drapes

Photo: The Spruce

Thermal curtains work better than blackout curtains at maintaining the room arm and preserving heat. They are particularly designed to keep the heat in the room from escaping.

The rigid foam insulation inner surface of most heat curtains gets warmer during the day and warms the space at night. Blackout curtains, on the other hand, reflect light and soak up as little heat as they can. Curtains with temperature lining are also less expensive than black curtains. Be cautious when purchasing thermal curtains as well; many individuals will market blackout curtains as thermal curtains, but in numerous cases, this is not the case.

They are most efficient at keeping the heat in the room. They are also excellent at keeping cooler air out and preventing it from combining with warm air inside. But even so, they are not at a lower cost; relying on the cloth and appearance you choose, thick fabric curtains can be very costly.