Slick front porch stairs, ice dams, freezing temps…ah, the joys of a New England winter.
Perhaps you’ve also had to deal with a heating system that does an “okay” job, but you’d be a whole lot happier with “better.”
If you were to purchase or build a new home, would you know what to look for to enjoy the maximum in energy efficiency?
Here are 8 smart choices perfectly suited for cooler climates.
- Choose the right exterior doors. When you choose a door, first consider their energy-performance ratings. This score lets you know how well each door traps heat or cool air inside. From there, proceed to style, taste, and needs.
- Think twice before installing a skylight. If you want a home with skylights, they should be no larger than 5% of the floor space in rooms with multiple windows, and no more than 15% in rooms with fewer windows.
- Choose exterior colors wisely. Color has a significant impact on heating efficiency. A light exterior will help the home stay cooler, while a darker color will better maintain heat.
- Choose windows with air leakage in mind. Drafty, leaky windows can send your home heating bills through the roof. Casement, fixed, or awning style windows have better seals than classic single or double hung models.
- Maximize sunlight with south-facing windows. Position windows on the south-facing side of your home to facilitate maximum light and warmth each day, the natural way.
- Advanced house framing. Here’s an important consideration if you’re planning to build. Advanced house framing, also known as optimum value engineering, employs less lumber and more insulation to facilitate more energy-efficient heating. Advanced house framing can also save you money on construction costs. Ask your builder for specifics.
- Stay warm with radiant heat. Installed beneath floors, radiant heat sends heat upward but heats only people, not objects. It also helps keep your feet nice and warm. Use it to heat your whole house or just certain parts. It’s an ideal choice if you’re planning a bathroom remodel.
- Pellet stove. Clean-burning and energy efficient, a pellet stove is a great supplemental heat source. One hopper of pellets can heat the space for up to 24 hours. It won’t clash with your décor as they come in a variety of styles and they won’t harm the environment – pellet stoves have extremely low particulate emissions.
If you’re not planning to move anytime soon, Correct Temp can do a great deal to improve your home’s heating efficiency. A great place to start is with our cleaning and tune-up service. That alone will help cut your heating costs. While providing service, we also can determine if there are any repair issues or adjustments needed to improve system performance and cut energy bills even more. Contact us today for more information or to schedule service.
