Many people enjoy living in the Kansas City metro area, but a common complaint is the many months of bitterly cold winter weather, frequently accompanied by biting winds. Transforming your home into a snug refuge from winter’s chill will not only make you happy to walk through the door at the end of the day but also potentially help you save money on your heating costs.
Two of the best energy-efficient home upgrades you can make are:
Replacing Drafty Windows
If you’re living in a house that was built decades ago or you never replaced the builder-grade windows your new home came with, the chances are good that your windows allow too much heat to escape to the outside to be considered energy-efficient. This means your heating system will have to work harder to keep your home warm and cozy, and that translates into higher costs for electricity or fuel. It can also result in unnecessary wear and tear on your HVAC unit or furnace, which can lead to the need for premature repairs or replacement.
In fact, heat gain and loss through windows accounts for 25 to 30 percent of the average heating and cooling costs of a home, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. This means reducing heat transfer through your windows can potentially help you lower your energy bills in the summer as well as in winter.
Investing in Energy-Efficient House Siding
If you’re ready to replace the siding on your home, make sure you factor energy efficiency into your selection of a siding material. Experts say the walls of a home are another major source of heat loss, with some estimating that as much as 35 percent of a typical home’s heat escapes through the exterior walls. You can dramatically reduce the amount of heat that sneaks out of your home by wrapping your home in insulated siding.
High-quality, insulated vinyl siding can be an excellent choice for homeowners in this area. It’s also a good idea to choose siding that’s been engineered for optimal energy efficiency for the climate in your specific region. The beautiful fiber cement siding produced by James Hardie is an excellent example. This manufacturer’s exclusive HardieZone® system ensures that the siding you choose will deliver the best thermal performance for homes in your neck of the woods.
Consult with Local Experts for Energy-Efficient Home Upgrades
At Johnson County Siding & Window Co., we take pride in helping homeowners reap the benefits of saving energy with high-quality exterior home upgrades. We can point you to the best ENERGY STAR® certified replacement windows and siding on the market, and we can help you navigate the complexities of extra features to maximize the energy efficiency of your home if you wish. Then, once you’ve made your selection, we’ll install it according to the manufacturer’s guidelines and our meticulous standards, so that you’re sure to receive all of the advertised benefits of your energy-efficient upgrade.
We stand ready to help! Contact Johnson County Siding & Windows Co. to learn more about our company and to schedule a free consultation at your home anywhere in the Kansas City metro area.
