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Streamline Energy Solutions

Tag: energy

  • 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

  • Is Your Attic Due For An Upgrade?

    If you think you’re among the 90% of US homes that are under-insulated,1 performing a simple insulation inspection will help you determine your insulation needs. Having the correct amount of attic insulation can help you maintain a comfortable temperature throughout your home and help save money on your energy bills.

    How to calculate the R-value of your insulation

    1. Measure the thickness of your attic insulation. The depth in inches is half of the information you need to determine your insulation’s R-value.
    2. Find out what type of insulation you have.
    3. Multiply your insulation depth by your insulation’s R-value. Each type of insulation has its own R-value per inch. Use this table to finish calculating your R-value
    Insulation typeR-value
    Fiberglass batts2.9 – 3.8
    Fiberglass loose fill2.2 – 2.9
    Cotton batts3.0 – 3.7
    Cellulose loose fill3.1 – 3.8
    Rockwool batts3.3 – 4.2
    Rockwool loose fill2.2 – 3.3

    How much insulation should you install?

    The amount of insulation recommended for your home will vary depending on a number of factors:

    Where you live—Different climates require different insulation R-values.

    Your home’s age—If your home is more than 15 years old, you likely need more insulation.

    Source: https://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home_sealing.hm_improvement_insulation_table

    DIY or Pro?

    Once you determine your attic is due for an upgrade, you can certainly complete this task on your own and can save on extra labor costs. However, it is hard to beat hiring an expert!

    Our energy consultants have the skills and knowledge needed to not only determine the upgrade that is right for you, but they can also identify potential problem areas such as a roof leak, mold, asbestos, etc. Insulating your attic with improper air sealing and attic ventilation can be counterproductive and possibly cause long-term havoc to your home.

    Streamline Energy Solutions is licensed and insured to provide quality installations that are guaranteed to save you energy and money. For a more holistic approach, we recommend completing an energy audit to pinpoint areas your home can benefit most.

    References:

    1. https://insulationinstitute.org/news-industry-issues/news-and-industry-issues/press-release/

  • 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