Improve Your Connecticut Home Energy Scores!

Deborah Laemmerhirt  203-994-4297  HomesInConnecticutForSale.com

Most adults remember hearing their parents complain if doors and windows were left open: "I'm not paying to heat the whole neighborhood!" Now that you're paying the bills, you understand.

But even without children to run up the bills, there's a good chance that the power you are paying for is slipping right through the walls, windows and doors out to heat (or cool) the neighborhood.

So it may be time to curb your home's appetite for energy so you can lower your bills and be more comfortable.

The U.S. Department of Energy points out that most energy-efficient homes share these basic elements:

  • Controlling ventilation. Energy-efficient homes are tightly sealed, therefore it's vital to include adequate ventilation in the design to prevent indoor pollution and reduce the likelihood of mold.
  • Having a properly sized, high-efficiency heating and cooling system. A too big or too small system either works too hard or over-produces, which wastes power. Some energy-efficient systems require only sunshine as the primary heat source, along with auxiliary warmth from radiant-in-floor heating or a standard source such as an electric heat pump.
  • In hotter climates, a cooling system might include the use of light-colored exterior siding or paint, which can reduce cooling requirements up to 15 percent, and the selection and placement of vegetation.
  • Installing energy-efficient windows, doors, and appliances. Since most homes lose 25 percent of their heat through windows -- even modern windows allow some heat loss -- window placement is key to retaining heat. For example, in a cold climate, some builders recommend having most of the windows on the southern side of the house to take advantage of the sun, and few on the north, east, and west sides of the home. In heat-intensive climates, window overhangs can help reduce the sun's rays. And using Energy Star label windows and doors provides twice as much energy efficiency as products made as recently as 10 years ago.
  • Making sure the "thermal envelope" is well-constructed and tightly sealed. A thermal envelope includes all aspects of a house that shield the living space from outside. The walls, roof, windows, weather stripping, caulking, insulation, and air and vapor retarders are important factors in ensuring efficient use of heating and cooling.
  • Often, the key to a home's energy-efficiency has more to do with the quality of the construction and installation than with the quality of the materials. For example, while most newer homes have adequate insulation, it may be poorly installed, resulting in gaps and general sloppy protection.

With new homes and additions, you should determine which design provides the most efficient use of energy and takes advantage of natural sources of energy. For this purpose, the placement of windows, doors and the heating/cooling systems is critical.

Computer software programs can also help evaluate what insulation is required, how to deal with moisture dynamics, and of course, the aesthetics of a home.

The Role of the Government

The federal government promotes the construction of energy-efficient homes through its Building America and Energy Star Homes programs. There are also many local programs available to provide incentives for energy consciousness. That's why, if you are looking to purchase a newly built home or remodel an existing one, there's a good chance you can find local builders and contractors that participate in energy-saving programs and incorporate smart energy features into their design and construction. Contractors may display energy-efficient symbols along with their logos on building site signs.

You may even be able to buy or refinance your home with an energy-efficient mortgage, which is a federally recognized loan that provides special benefits to borrowers or sellers of homes that are, or can be made, energy efficient

Nobody wants to throw away money paying higher-than-necessary utility bills or be too hot or cold. Having an energy-efficient home helps promote both of those goals. Energy-efficiency takes some planning, some initial expense, and possibly some remodeling. But time will repay your efforts and cost with a home that is more economical to operate, more welcoming to live in, and more valuable when it comes time to sell.

About Deborah Laemmerhirt, CT,Newtown, Bethel, Ridgefield, Redding,Roxbury,Bridgewater (Previews - Coldwell Banker - CT)