Are you sick of watching your home’s energy bills skyrocket during the winter and summer? Although the Portland-Vancouver area enjoys pleasant transitional seasons, winter’s chill and summer’s heat are constant threats to local household budgets and home energy efficiency. Fortunately, there are several cost-effective steps you can take to reduce your heating and cooling bills without investing in costly new technologies.
Leaking Air, Leaking Money
Many older homes suffer from poorly sealed windows, under-insulated attic spaces and drafty doors. Energy-saving retrofits typically focus on three key areas: attic insulation, window replacement and whole-house weatherproofing. Let’s explore each of these in turn.
Keep It Comfortable with Affordable Insulation
According to the EPA and the administrators of the federal government’s EnergyStar program, homeowners can save as much as 20% on total heating and cooling costs simply by adding new insulation to their attics or updating existing insulation within their homes’ walls. This translates to total energy bill savings of as much as 14%.
What’s more, Oregon and Washington both offer additional rebates that may cover part of the cost of installing blown-in insulation in your attic. When it’s done by a professional, the installation process is fast, effective and non-disruptive.
Replace Outdated Windows
Window replacement is another important step. Like attic insulation, energy-efficient windows routinely attract federal and state tax credits. Modern windows use effective sealing technology to keep warm air inside during the winter and outside during the summer. In fact, the newest generation of energy-efficient windows doesn’t even require a second storm window to function properly. Instead, modern windows contain insulating buffers between “inside” and “outside” panes. Many models last for years, so you’ll enjoy ample returns on your modest investment.
Simple Weatherproofing Tips for Year-Round Comfort
Other weatherproofing steps may be even easier. Fireplace inserts effectively insulate your home’s chimney column and reduce heat loss through the roof. Programmable thermostats allow you to control how much heat or air conditioning your home’s interior receives at any given time. Meanwhile, costs for energy-efficient heating units and solar panels have plummeted over the past decade.
Interstate Roofing: Your Indoor Temperature Control Source in Portland, OR and Vancouver, WA
These aren’t the only things you can do to reduce your home’s heating and cooling bills as well as its impact on the environment, but they’re a great start. At Interstate Roofing, we’re proud to help homeowners across the Portland-Vancouver area put more of their hard-earned funds back in their pockets. If you’re ready to transform your house into the efficient, cash-saving envy of the neighborhood, give us a call at 1-800-ROOF-270 or contact us online today.