Shingles, Nails, and Beyond

Saving energy in your home can save you a great deal of money and offer many benefits for your home. To help save energy, there are many changes you can make. Below you will find information about starting at the top of your home and moving your way down for better energy efficiency.

Asphalt Roof

If your roof is getting older, you need to inspect it for damage. If there are leaks in the roof, this will not only cause water to get into your home but will also allow air to escape out of your home. Your roof may have loose or damaged shingles. There may be shingles that have a lot of missing granules, making them thin and more prone to leaking. 

No matter what damage there is, hire a roofing contractor to repair the roof. Once the roof is repaired, you can have the contractor put a weatherproofing coating on the roof. This will help protect your roof from the elements. Roof coating also reduces the temperature of your roof. You can find roof coatings in a variety of colors if you want your roof to look different, or you can choose a clear coating.

Windows

If the current windows in your home have not been changed in a long time, you are likely lousing air through them. Even small gaps in the window frames can make a difference in how warm or cool your home feels. This can also cause your HVAC unit to run longer to maintain the temperature in your home.  

When choosing windows, make sure they are classified as energy efficient. This shows the windows are made to prevent cool or heated air from escaping from your home. Energy-efficient windows have more insulation, which further lowers the amount of energy your home uses. 

HVAC Unit

If you use an HVAC unit to heat and cool your home and you have had it over 10 to 15 years, you should consider replacing it. Make sure the contractor chooses an energy-efficient unit for you. If you do not have it in your budget to purchase a new unit, hire an HVAC contractor to maintain your unit for you. This will ensure the unit is working properly so it will not run longer than it should. 

Along with the unit, the duct system should be checked for any type of leaks or damage. If any are found, the contractor can repair small leaks using a special type of tape. If there is a lot of damage, the contractor will suggest that you replace the duct system.

There are many other changes you can make to your home, such as making sure it is well insulated, hiring an electrician to check your energy usage, and using energy-efficient appliances.