Somerville Aluminum Offers Tips to Make A Home More Energy Efficient During the Summer
Branchburg, NJ (PRWEB) June 30, 2015 -- Somerville Aluminum has been installing energy-efficient home remodeling products for over sixty years. Having remodeled over 100,000 homes in central NJ, the home remodeling contractor uses only the finest quality products to maximize energy-efficiency when planning any project. Hot summers can certainly lead to higher energy bills and there are many things homeowners can do to help maximize the energy-efficiency of their homes without breaking the bank. To help get your home ready for the summer, Somerville Aluminum offers the following energy-saving tips:
• Close windows and curtains in the morning before the heat sets in, and then open them in the evening to flush your house with cooler air.
• Change the filters in your HVAC (heating, ventilating and air conditioning) system. Dirty filters contribute to indoor air pollution and increase energy costs by making your HVAC work harder.
• If you have an outside AC unit, remove any debris that may have accumulated during the winter. Also, consider trimming or removing plants, leaves, or high grass that is located close to the unit. These could have a negative impact on your unit.
• Check your windows and doors for any leaks. Leaky windows and doors let hot outdoor air in while allowing cool indoor air to escape. The result is your HVAC has to work harder and your energy bills go up, so make sure you seal those leaks!
• Check your ductwork for any leaks. Leaking ductwork accounts for 25 percent of cooling costs in an average home. Have your ducts tested and have any leaks repaired by a certified contractor.
• Test your system by setting your thermostat to cool and turn down the temperature. The air conditioner should start cooling your home; if it doesn’t, that means there’s a problem. Call a professional to inspect.
• Invest in a programmable thermostat. An ENERGY STAR® programmable thermostat can save you a significant amount of money over a long, hot summer.
• Install ceiling fans. For summer use, ceiling fans can cool a room more efficiently than an air conditioner. In the winter, reverse the blades on the ceiling fans to force the heated air down from the ceiling.
• If you need to replace your air conditioner, do it now before the hot weather kicks in.
• Plant shade trees on the south side of your house. Shade trees block the sun in the summer months.
• Examine your home’s exterior for any wear and tear or damage. Harsh winter weather can inflict some serious punishment to a home’s outer walls, exterior doors and roof. Making repairs now will not only lead to a more enjoyable summer, but also give you a head start on preparing for next winter.
• Consider installing a retractable awning on your deck or patio. Retractable awnings block up to 98% of the sun’s harmful UV rays and shades your home from the sun while providing significant cooling.
• Install a whole house fan. A whole house fan is permanently installed in your attic and draws cool air into your home through windows while forcing hot air out through attic vents. Make sure your attic is properly insulated.
• Install ENERGY STAR® windows to make your house more comfortable and energy efficient year-round. Windows with Low-E glass will reduce heat transfer and keep your home cooler in the summer- and warmer in the winter.
• Install energy efficient siding will also keep your home cooler in the summer months and warmer in the winter. Vinyl siding offers high-performance foam that fills the cavity of the siding, stopping the thermal transfer of heat through the walls from outside to inside a home.
“These simple tips can all add up to significant savings for homeowners by making their homes more energy-efficient. By maximizing the energy-efficiency of our homes, we also help the environment by conserving energy,” states Gary Shiman, Executive Vice President of Somerville Aluminum.
While the most effective strategy for improving household energy efficiency is to target a home’s envelope- walls, attic, windows and doors, less expensive or no-cost ways to make a home more energy efficient can also be utilized to reduce costs and make a home more comfortable during the hot summer months.
About Somerville Aluminum
Go with the Pro: Somerville Aluminum is the area’s largest full service home remodeling company with a 5,000 square foot showroom and design center in Branchburg staffed with on-site kitchen and bath designers and a team of home remodeling experts ready to plan and guide central NJ homeowners through any home renovation project, big or small. Built on three generations of reliability, integrity and experience, Somerville Aluminum has a solid reputation as a trusted source for any and all home remodeling needs.
For more information on Somerville Aluminum, please visit http://www.somervillealuminum.com or call (908) 725-8401
Media Contact:
Jodi Mayo Alessandri
MG Media, LLC
856 US Hwy 206, Suite B11
Hillsborough, NJ 08844
(908) 874-9200 x111
Jodi Mayo Alessandri, MG Media, LLC, http://www.mgmedia.com, +1 (908) 874-9200 Ext: 111, [email protected]
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