Insulation and proper sealing are important to your home for many reasons, not least of which is to reduce or prevent energy loss. Drafts and heat loss cause your home’s HVAC system to have to work harder to keep your home at the desired temperature, which can cause a spike in your energy bills. If you’re an environmentally conscious Roeland Park homeowner, you’re probably already looking for ways to keep your energy usage down, and the idea of wasted energy probably isn’t ideal. Here are a few ways to keep your energy loss down or prevent it altogether.
Invest in Better Quality Siding
Your siding exists to protect the walls of your home, adding a strong seal, as well as helping the in-wall insulation. However, poor quality siding can warp, leak, expand or contract, which gives way to energy loss. If this is a problem you have with your walls, the answer is to find tougher siding. We recommend James Hardie fiber cement. This siding has the look of wood, but durability to last for decades without warping, swelling, or rotting. It’s also five times thicker than vinyl for a stronger seal.
Cover (or Remove) Your Chimneys
The truth is, unless you have a working fireplace that you use often, you’re probably not using a chimney. But just because you’re not using it doesn’t mean that heat isn’t escaping your home through your chimney. If you don’t have a functional fireplace, you may benefit from removing the chimney. If you do use the fireplace — and the chimney — a removable seal will help to prevent heat from escaping your home.
Weather Strip Windows and Doors
You can also strengthen the seal of your windows and doors by weather stripping. If you’ve already weather stripped your windows and doors, make sure that the seal is still tight. You can test this by lighting a candle and holding it near the edges of the window or door. If the flame pulls in any direction, you have an issue with energy loss. You might also consider replacing windows and doors for more energy efficient models to be sure that you get the most out of them.
Need more ways to seal your home and keep your energy loss down? Contact Johnson County Siding & Window Co. today for more information.
