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Streamline Energy Solutions

Category: Energy Efficiency

  • Jan 10th: National Cut Your Energy Costs Day

    Each year, on January 10th, the observance provides information designed to help homeowners and businesses to reduce energy costs and improve efficiency. Did you know that upgrading your insulation and air sealing can save you up to 35%? Furthermore, tuning up your heating system can save you up to 3-10%!

    It is often in the little things that you do that can save you big money on your energy bill, such as:

    • Weatherproof your home with insulation and air sealing
    • Replace old windows with new energy-efficient windows
    • Replace old furnace with new energy-efficient furnace
    • Properly maintain furnace
    • Hang dry clothes
    • Use solar heat if possible
    • Turn down thermostats
    • Turn off lights when leaving a room
    • Use energy-efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs
    • Run dishwasher and washing machine only when fully loaded
    • Lower water heater temperature
    • Take shorter showers
    • Unplug unused appliances
    • Carpool whenever possible

    Today, we challenge you to make changes in your home or business to conserve as much energy as possible. Share your tips and tricks for energy conservation using #CutYourEnergyCostsDay on social media.

    Source: https://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-cut-your-energy-costs-day-january-10/

  • Protecting Your Home From Extreme Weather

    It’s July and summer is in full swing. The sun is out and your kids spend all day exploring the world outside. There’s lingering smells of bonfires and fresh cut lawns. Summer is the best, but always.

    Summer is a time for fun and play, but it also means hot, uncomfortable weather. If your home isn’t protected against the extreme heat, not only can you feel it outside, but inside as well.

    With temperatures well into the 90’s and 100’s, the AC unit seems to run constantly and your home never cools down. Perhaps you had a similar feeling in the wintertime, too? Even when you turn the furnace all the way up, you’re still cold.

    Your home is your sanctuary and should be a place of comfort for the whole family. No matter what the temperature is outside, we’ve got a year-round solution for you — re-insulating and air sealing your home!

    Why Should You Re-Insulate Your Home?

    Nearly 80 million homes in America are currently under-insulated. That’s 90 percent of all the households in our country! Insulation standards didn’t come into play until after the mid-1970’s; therefore, if your home was built before then, it’s likely you’re one of the homeowners who could use a little home improvement.

    And even if your home was built after 1980, insulation codes have changed a lot since then. So, if your home was up to code 10 years ago, it might not be up to code now. Building code does not always mean maximum efficiency.

    Year-Round Comfort No Matter the Weather Outside

    If your HVAC system is constantly kicking on and off, this could be a sign that your home is under-insulated. Many people attribute insulation to cold-weather climates, when in fact, homes in warm climates need attention as well. Take your refrigerator for example- it needs to stay cool right? 

    Insulating and air sealing your home create a barrier inside of your home, blocking extreme weather from entering and keeping controlled air from escaping. But that’s not all. It even suppresses outside noise and prevents allergens from entering. So, no matter the weather outside, you can experience more year-round comfort at home.

    In addition, a properly insulated home means your HVAC system won’t have to work as hard to maintain indoor temperatures, extending the life of your unit, saving you money on your electricity bill and reducing your carbon footprint. 

    Altogether, these benefits also increase the overall value of your home. And many satisfied homeowners we’ve helped so far say they noticed a difference immediately after installation.

    Take control of your comfort by controlling the temperature of your home and make this summer one to remember!

    References:

    1. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ninety-percent-of-us-homes-are-under-insulated-300151277.html

  • 10 Energy Saving Tips for Spring

    After a brutal winter for the majority of the country, spring has finally arrived! The arrival of spring means there are certain items in your home that may need attention and habits you can change yourself.

    The U.S. Department of Energy released some great tips about things you can do to improve the energy efficiency and comfort of your home as warmer temperatures arrive:

    1. Service your air conditioner. Easy maintenance such as routinely replacing or cleaning air filters can lower your cooling system’s energy consumption by up to 15 percent. Also, the first day of spring could serve as a reminder to check your air conditioner’s evaporator coil, which should be cleaned annually to ensure the system is performing at optimal levels.

    2. Open windows. Opening windows creates a cross-wise breeze, allowing you to naturally cool your home without switching on air conditioners. This is an ideal tactic in spring when temperatures are mild.

    3. Use ceiling fans. Cooling your home with ceiling fans will allow you to raise your thermostat four degrees. This can help lower your electricity bills without sacrificing overall comfort.

    4. Cook outside. On warmer spring days, keep the heat out of your home by using an outdoor grill instead of indoor ovens.

    5. Install window treatments. Energy efficient window treatments or coverings such as blinds, shades and films can slash heat gain when temperatures rise. These devices not only improve the look of your home but also reduce energy costs.

    6. Caulk air leaks. Using low-cost caulk to seal cracks and openings in your home keeps warm air out — and cash in your wallet.

    7.  Bring in sunlight. During daylight hours, switch off artificial lights and use windows and skylights to brighten your home.

    8. Set the thermostat. On warm days, setting a programmable thermostat to a higher setting when you are not at home can help reduce your energy costs by approximately 10 percent.

    9. Seal ducts. Air loss through ducts can lead to high electricity costs, accounting for nearly 30 percent of a cooling system’s energy consumption. Sealing and insulating ducts can go a long way toward lowering your electricity bills.

    10.  Switch on bathroom fans. Bathroom fans suck out heat and humidity from your home, improving comfort.

    Streamline Energy Solutions provides a variety of services that can help improve the efficiency of your home. We recommend starting with a comprehensive home energy audit to determine which areas need the most attention. From there, we streamline the process by using our qualified technicians to perform the work. By upgrading your insulation and air sealing your home, homeowners often see instant savings!

    Call us today at 888-308-3724 to schedule your free home energy assessment!

    Source: https://www.energy.gov/articles/10-energy-saving-tips-spring