Sunday, Nov 28, 2010

As we sit by the fire and enjoy the family this season, many of us will be content with just that. Then there are those of us that may look up at that old fire place surround, or the outdated mantel and molding that adorns it and say, "gosh I really hate that thing". For those of us who are of the latter state of mind, the holidays are a great time to whip out the old tool belt and see how far some elbow grease can take us. We have compiled some great ideas as to the most popular home remodeling projects to do during the winter months.

1. Updating and Upgrading Windows

You may notice your house seems chilly around the winter months. If your home was built more than twenty years ago, chances are there are a number of factors attributing to that, the most common of which are outdated single pane windows. By their nature, all windows are bad for insulating homes, especially single pane windows. Glass is an excellent catalyst for the transfer of energy both hot and cold. This unique property results in the transfer of funds from your wallet to the utility company as you battle to keep your home warm in the winter months, as the heat continues to escape through those pesky windows. Newer, more intelligently designed windows have two panes of glass instead of one, in between those panes is an inert gas, usually argon that helps reduce the transfer of energy. When selecting windows, it is important to go with brands you trust and know, we think that Window World makes a quality product at an affordable price. Many municipalities also offer tax credits (leed credits) for homeowners who update their windows to more energy efficient green windows.

2. Insulate

The winter months are a great time to detect areas of your home that have poor insulation. If you walk by a door or window and notice a drastic change in temperature, chances are that window, door, wall, etc. is poorly insulated. Although some areas may be harder to insulate then others, a good place to start is in the attic. Go into the attic and look for insulation between the trusses of the roof. If there is not any insulation, this year might be the year to do it. There are many types of insulation, all with different properties, values and costs. Your contractor will be able to tell you which one is the right choice for your space and budget.

3. Tank-less Water Heaters

Have you ever noticed that your hot water does not seem to last quite as long when its cold outside? This has to do with two big factors: 1. Insulation, 2. Technology. If you have the traditional barrel style water heaters, wrapped in insulation - you have an outdated system. In most cases, much heat is lost as the hot water transfers from the insulated hot water tank, through un-insulated or semi-insulated water pipes throughout the walls of your home. In addition to this, the cost to operate these types of water heaters can be costly, especially during the winter months. Tank-less water heaters are both affordable and much more energy efficient, many of them also qualify for leed credits and energy rebates. Tank-less water heaters provide an endless supply of hot water, without a tank. This technology works by super heating the water as it passes through the unit, eliminating the need to keep the old style tank 'on the burner' waiting to be used.

These are just a few ideas of how to make big improvements and save big bucks on energy this season. As always we are here to help you every step of the way, just give us a call.

Happy Holidays,

Paul Adrianse
Owner