Living in California is not much different than it would be to live in paradise – or at least that’s what those of us at Progressive Insulation & Windows believe. However, it can be costly to live here – and utilities are a part of that. Here are six ways you may be spending more than you have to on electricity.
Older, uninsulated windows
Your attic
Basements
Doors that aren’t installed correctly
Chimneys
Your floor could be costing you money
Older windows can be beautiful but unfortunately they’re rarely energy efficient. New windows today are made from insulated glass that’s sealed inside and then installed correctly by Progressive Insulation & Windows. The result is a window that keeps air where it’s supposed to be. If you have older windows, then you’re likely losing money out of them every day of the year.
California homes are less likely than homes in other parts of the country to have attics, which means that those that do are often not insulated correctly. The reality is that many home builders don’t realize that an attic needs to be sealed off from the outside as well as the rest of your home. There are many types of insulation that can help you save significantly on your energy bills. Call us at (800) 500-6200 for more information.
Once again, most California homes don’t have basements and those that do are not often correctly made. The best way to handle energy loss in a basement is to keep the door to it closed throughout the year. If it’s partially above ground and has windows, make sure you have upgraded windows. Insulation can be a big help here too, as it will help the basement naturally moderate its temperature as well as keep the moisture out.
Every door in your home that goes to the outside should be snuggly installed to ensure that no cold air can spill out or in. Generally speaking, the biggest gaps will happen under the door. If you see one with a gap, or you notice it has a draft, then you need to either seal the gap or replace the door.
There may be no bigger energy waster than a chimney. You may want to get a laminated chimney balloon, which prevents air from getting into or out of your chimney. When you want to use the chimney, just remove the balloon.
If your home is built above the foundation – even a little bit – and there’s a crawl space, then cold air is getting under your home. This can be especially problematic in the winter, when it can cause your floors to be cold. You can treat it by adding insulation under your floorboards as well as by carpeting your floors and / or using plenty of rugs.
