10 year-Round Tips to Keep Your Home Energy Efficient

No matter the season, energy efficiency is always in style as homeowners battle rising utility bills. To help control your energy costs throughout the year, try these 10 convenient tips from JELD-WEN that can keep your house cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter:

1. Give your Home an Energy Makeover:

A survey or audit of your home’s energy usage and costs can identify specific ways you can reduce your home energy bills. For more details, visit www.energystar.gov.

2. Low-E glass is a Must:

With two transparent, microscopic layers of silver coating, Low-E glass works by reflecting heat outside in warm weather and holding heat indoors during colder months. Low-E glass is standard in most JELD-WEN windows and patio doors with an optional upgrade to LoĒ3-366 glass, featuring three layers of silver for even greater UV protection. These coatings block 95 percent of harmful UV rays which also helps prevent fading of interior furnishings. Ultimately, a home protected by Low-E glass remains comfortable year-round, and heating and cooling costs are reduced.

3. Mind the Gaps:

Seal and weather-strip your windows and doors to ensure you’re not wasting energy. You can save up to 10 percent on your energy bills if done properly. A home’s front door can play a vital role as one of the first lines of defense against the elements. If a door does not close properly or lets in a draft, utility bills will pay the price. If these features cannot be easily fixed, it may be time to replace the door.

4. Check the Compass:

The direction windows and doors face can make a big difference in the sun’s intensity level within the home. South- and west-facing windows and doors should have the highest level of UV protection. Window and door exterior overhangs are also important to provide privacy and block powerful solar radiation from entering the home while helping to reduce electricity usage and indoor temperatures during the summer.

5. Let the Sun do the Work:

In the winter, keep blinds or drapes on sun-exposed windows open during the day to help heat your home.

6. Clean It Up:

During heavy-usage months, air filters get dirty more often, slowing airflow and making a system work harder and waste energy. Regularly check your air filter and replace it as needed to avoid dirt buildup.

7. Calculate the Savings:

Beyond the initial purchase price of a product, consider the long-term value that energy efficient products offer in terms of annual measurable savings. Replacing single-pane windows with double-pane windows can save you anywhere from $125 to $450 on energy costs each year. In addition, many local utilities offer rebates for purchasing ENERGY STAR qualified windows and doors. To calculate how much you can save with new windows, visit www.cardinalcorp.com/application/energycalc.htm.

8. Exteriors Need Protection, Too:

Apply a UV-resistant clearcoat, paint or stain per the manufacturer’s recommendation to guard against the heavy beating doors take from the sun. To prevent warping on a wood door, apply the coating to all six sides. As another option when choosing a door, consider a fiberglass door as they are built to be long lasting and easy to maintain in any climate.

9. Material Matters:

Vinyl is the preferred choice for replacement windows today and represents 65 percent of the window replacement market. Vinyl windows with dual pane Low-E glass reduce heat transfer and will help better insulate the home. Wood is also a good, natural insulator against the elements and fits with many of the traditional architectural styles desired by homeowners today.

10. Drive Home Efficiency:

The garage is often forgotten when it comes to energy efficiency, but it’s one of the largest entry points of the home. The temperature of a garage greatly affects the overall temperature of the entire home. For energy savings in the garage, find a proper-fitting garage door and make sure that the door leading from the garage to the inside of the home is also energy efficient.

Replacing old, leaky, inefficient windows can make a major difference in reducing energy costs, as well as adding other style and performance benefits. A typical home can realize significant savings. In fact, more efficient JELD-WEN windows and doors helped a family in Maine, following JELD-WEN’s nationwide search to identify the worst utility bill in the country. The family was able to cut their home fuel heating bill by half, thanks to new JELD-WEN windows and doors that were installed in their 119 year old farmhouse. Now, the family notices not only a dramatic difference in their energy costs, but in the comfort and style of their home. Watch the Danny Lipford video and find additional tips here Click here for more information.

According to independent research of real estate agents conducted by JELD-WEN in 2008, better energy efficiency also is a major selling point. Two-thirds (66 percent) of agents said they have mentioned energy efficient doors and windows in their home listings.

“This year, there are many benefits for replacing inefficient windows ranging from not only saving money in the form of energy savings, but increasing style, comfort and overall home value,” said Brian Hedlund, product marketing manager for JELD-WEN. “It’s an investment that just makes sense as it offers great short- and long-term returns."