Home renovation experts suggest that fall is the ideal time for homeowners to prepare their home for winter and think about home improvement plans that they can complete during the these months. Make your Salinas home more energy-efficient with these projects.
When it comes to home improvements, building experts recommend homeowners carefully consider and prioritize their plans by looking at structural improvements over cosmetic upgrades. If you are looking to use less energy this winter, consider outfitting your home with new foam insulation, energy efficient light bulbs and appliances. Check your local Ace Hardware on 1561 N Sanborn Rd. in Salinas to find products to help you go green.
What Home Features Should You Improve?
Fundamental for homeowners hoping to invest smartly in their home is understanding what improvement is deemed essential and what is considered purely cosmetic. For example, a home’s “skin” is a key investment area during a renovation project. Hiring an energy inspector to examine your home will give a better sense of the required work and avoid any subsequent costly headaches.
Energy-Efficient Light Bulbs
If you’re thinking of going green, small changes such as using compact fluorescent light bulbs can contribute to reducing your home’s carbon footprint. Fluorescent light bulbs typically have a longer life and use less energy thereby reducing excessive energy waste as well as monthly energy bills. See this related article for more information about energy-efficient light bulbs.
Energy-Saving Appliances
Investing in energy efficient appliances is another effective way to live green and add value to your home. Homeowners with an old central air system can consider having a new, more energy efficient HVAC system installed. While these may come with an expensive up-front cost, the savings on energy bills over the long-term will prove to be a wise investment. Additionally, the inclusion of other energy efficient appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines and dryers will contribute to lower energy bills.
New Foam Insulation in Your Salinas Home
Another significant way to reduce energy consumption is to adequately seal the home to stop any air leaks by considering a smart insulation material. Insulation experts homeowners should survey their house from top to bottom, and assess any trouble spots such as drafty areas or cold zones which could be caused by air leakage. Air leakage can limit the effectiveness of heating systems. According to spray foam insulation manufacturer Icynene, floors, walls and ceilings can account for up to 31 percent of air leakage in a home. If you live in an older home in Salinas, the insulation is likely worn out and is ready to be replaced.
Spray foam insulation, which can help combat air leakage, is growing in popularity among homeowners since it is an energy-efficient material that delivers year-round benefits. This type of insulation, like that available from Icynene, works well in all types of homes across the country, regardless of climate.
Spray foam insulation performs for the life of the property, ensuring that homeowners can enjoy comfortable indoor temperatures year round without overrunning their heating and cooling equipment. According to Icynene, high performance spray foam insulation can noticeably reduce monthly heating and cooling costs. Additionally, spray foam insulation helps minimize random airborne moisture and pollutants from entering the home, which is ideal for allergy sufferers.
Icynene recently released a comprehensive home insulation mobile app, available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, to allow homeowners understand where air leaks can occur in their home as well as how a modern insulation material like spray foam can help make a difference and why it is a smart winter home improvement investment.
More information about Icynene spray foam insulation can be found at Icynene.com.
Call or stop by your local Ace Hardware store in Salinas to check availability on energy-saving products such as light bulbs and home insulation.
