4 Ways to Slash Your Energy Bill
In the past few years the price of electricity and natural gas has risen to unprecedented highs. That's not the bad news, believe it or not. The bad news is that it is just going to get worse. But here's the good news: you can be proactive and do something about it. Not one big thing, but four different things. It's more important than ever to ensure that the home heating system is operating at peak efficiency.
Read on for three ways to slash your energy bill. There will be an outlay of cash to implement these things but they will pay for themselves over time and after that, you will be money ahead.
Use Radiant Barrier Paint
Radiant barrier paint is made up of two components: radiant barrier “powder” and latex paint. The powder is mixed into the paint. This radiant barrier powder is typically composed of microscopic aluminum flakes and porcelain pellets and can be found at name-brand paint stores. The flakes and pellets act to reflect the sun's heat back out before it can get into your home and affect your cooling bill.
Radiant barrier paint can be used on both composition shingle roofs or metal roofs.
The first place to paint is on the underside of your roof, in the attic. You will need to spray it on the underside of the sheathing. Rent a paint rig if you don't have one. The nails that secure your roof's shingles stick through the sheathing and will prevent you from using a roller.
After the roof is taken care of, you can use it to paint any interior or exterior walls that take abuse from the sun.
Convert to Compact Florescent Lighting
You will slash your electricity usage dramatically by changing all your incandescent bulbs to compact florescent bulbs. Yes, they are expensive so if the thought of changing them all at once makes you grimace, just change out the worst power offenders immediately and change the others as they burn out.
As an example, these new bulbs will give you 60 watts of light using only 14 watts of electricity; that comes out to about 75% savings. Not only that but they will last approximately five times longer than conventional incandescent bulbs. All of a sudden the price per bulb makes sense!
For special situations such as track lighting with spot lights or wall sconces, low voltage bulbs will also conserve energy.
Are Your Windows Robbing You?
We all love our windows; they brighten the home and afford a picturesque view. But if your home has contractor grade windows, chances are that they are very inefficient. They are giving free passage to the heat of summer and the frigid conditions of winter.
There are some very efficient windows on the market now. Not only is the glass important, but the frame as well. For instance, insulated vinyl: the major difference between insulated vinyl and standard vinyl frames is improved thermal performance. These frames have hollow cavities that are filled with insulation which makes them thermally better than standard vinyl or wood frames. Coupled with high performance glazings, you will start to see major savings.
Are You Wasting Money on Your Hot Water?
Finally, consider a tankless water heater. This appliance is making a dramatic and logical entrance into the green movement. Conventional water heaters keep your water hot at all times, but do you really need that? On demand hot water makes more sense.
In Summary...
These are just four things you can do to make permanent changes that will lower your energy bills every month for a one time price. To be sure, you will be spending money up front but check the latest legislation; in many cases making energy efficiency changes to your home will buy you a income tax credit.
Kelly Smith - Kelly has over 30 years experience as a journeyman carpenter and 20 as a freelance writer and photographer.
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