Going Green - A Cool Trend
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With all the buzz concerning global warming and high energy
bills, it is no wonder that manufacturers are constantly
creating new products that can save consumers money and help
protect the environment. The increasing focus on such issues has
sparked a surge in energy saving products, many applying to
homeowners who are building or remodeling their homes.
This will focus on numerous energy efficient products to fit your
lifestyle, and how you can benefit from ‘going green’.
Why Go Green?
Choosing environmentally friendly products can save you
hundreds of dollars a year in energy costs. Such products can
also improve the comfort in your home by maintaining a pleasant
temperature throughout the year. Even better, going green is
much easier than you may think because energy efficient products
are clearly labeled. Certain energy efficient products have a
longer life-span than non-energy efficient products, and can
even protect valuables in your home from sun damage. Opting to
use these products can increase your home’s resale value and
reward you with tax credit rebates.
Don’t forget that besides saving you money, ‘going
green’ protects the environment. The media is rich with
statistics about our unhealthy use of energy and it is
time to take action. Knowing you are helping, even if in
a small way, will no doubt give you some peace of mind.
Let’s get started!
ENERGY STAR
ENERGY STAR is a United States government program that
strives to protect the environment and reduce the country’s use
of energy. Specifically, it tries to cut energy consumption and
greenhouse gas emissions by plants power. ENERGY STAR was
created in 1992 by the United States Environmental Protection
Agency and has been growing ever since.
ENERGY STAR awards a product with its label when the
product meets criteria based on energy efficiency and
overall quality. Since its creation, ENERGY STAR has
saved consumers hundreds of billions of dollars on
energy costs, and has labels on products in over 40
categories. These categories include siding, roofing,
insulation and window materials.
As more people and businesses use products with the
ENERGY STAR label, the possible outcomes are great. If
all consumers in the United States chose ENERGY STAR
products, whether private residents or business owners,
national energy consumption would be reduced by about
200 billion dollars in the next ten years. This would be
a tremendous reduction in pollution and overall
environmental problems.
How do Energy Efficient Roofing Products Work?
With Americans spending more money on energy bills than ever,
now is the perfect time to invest in roofing products to save
money on heating and cooling bills. There are several ways in
which roofing products can increase energy efficiency. Some
of these methods include:
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The use of special coatings to prevent roof damage
from ultraviolet radiation. |
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Using special pigments to reduce penetration of
infrared radiation. |
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Preventing temperature fluctuations from shortening
a roof’s life-span. |
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Reflecting sun rays away from your home. |
Types of Energy Efficient Roofs
ENERGY STAR roofing products are a popular choice for
homeowners who want to decrease their energy bills. These roofs
reflect sunrays away from your home lowering the temperature of
your roof. By reducing your roof’s temperature, your home will
stay cooler in the summer reducing the need for air
conditioning. This will result in lower energy bills while
keeping your home comfortable.
Cool Roof Coatings
can be applied to both low-sloped and steep-sloped roofs. The
coatings have a consistency of thick paint and are applied over
existing roofs to save energy and extend longevity. These
coatings protect a roof against damage from the weather and
ultraviolet radiation by reflecting sunrays away from your home.
Cool roofs have high thermal-emitting properties, which
refers to the relative ease with which the roof radiates away
heat. This means that a cool roof will not only stay cooler by
reflecting the sun’s energy rather than absorbing it, but it
will also quickly release the heat that it does absorb.
Green Roofs are an interesting energy
efficient roofing option — it is like having a garden on your
roof! The vegetation works to reduce the temperature of your
roof so that it is cooler than the air temperature in the
summer. Roofing that is not energy efficient can be up to 90
degrees hotter than air temperature. With a green roof, your
home will remain cooler, decreasing your air conditioning needs
and lowering your energy bills.
Green roofs have a bottom waterproof layer covered by soil,
vegetation and possibly an irrigation system. Another benefit of
the vegetation is to provide your roof with shade from the sun.
A steady temperature prevents the roof from expanding and
contracting, increasing the roof’s life-span.
Metal Roofs reflect solar energy, allowing
the roof surface to remain cooler. This prevents heat from
transferring into the building, which means less work for air
conditioning units.
Metal roofs last much longer than most non-metal roofing
products promoting a lifetime of environmentally-sound,
maintenance-free durability and beauty.
Energy Efficient Roofing Wrap-Up
What you can expect from energy efficient roofing products:
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Lowering the temperature of the roof’s
surface by reflecting sun rays keeps more heat from
entering a home. This can reduce air conditioning needs
up to 15 percent. |
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By maintaining a steadier temperature
than other roofing products, energy efficient roofing
materials are more durable and have a longer life-span.
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Certain coatings can block your home
from harmful ultraviolet radiation, in the same way
sunscreen protects you, keeping your home cooler in the
summer. |
Energy Efficient Windows
Similar to roofing materials, windows have the ability to
significantly lower your energy bills. Non-energy efficient
windows can cause unwanted drafts, loss of heat and condensation
that can damage window sills. In contrast, energy efficient
windows maintain a pleasant inside temperature.
They also prevent fading and protect valuable items from sun
damage through the use of Low-E coatings.
ENERGY STAR labeled products allow less heat to enter your
home. They protect your home from the sun while not blocking
visible sunlight.
When looking for energy efficient windows, pay attention to
the windows “R” rating. This rating refers to the products
resistance to heat loss and gain during the colder and warmer
parts of the year. A higher “R” rating means that a window has
greater insulation. The higher the rating, the more the material
blocks out ultraviolet rays.
The Importance of Sealing and Insulation
Sealing and insulation encase the entire exterior of your
home. The right sealing and insulation will also improve the
energy efficiency of other structures such as roofing and
windows. Signs of faulty sealing and/or insulation include air
drafts, heat gain in the summer and heat loss in the winter.
Although the subject of sealing and insulation may not sound
overly exciting, its benefits will more than pay off in the long
run.
Making Sure Your Home’s Sealing and Insulation Are
Energy Efficient
Improper sealing and insulation can significantly raise your
energy bills and make your home uncomfortable.
Sealing your home should be done before
insulation to provide the best energy efficiency. In order to
have sealing that will regulate temperature and lower energy
bills, you must make sure to find and seal all the places where
air can leak in or out. Certain parts of your home can have
leaks that are difficult to find and seal – for this, we
recommend that you hire a professional. Well-sealed homes also
have less mold and dust, which leads to better air quality.
Insulation is what keeps your home’s inside
temperature protected from the outside climate. It keeps your
home warm in the winter and cool in the summer. There are
several products used for insulation with the ENERGY STAR label
which include fiberglass, rigid foam board and spray foam. The
quality of insulation is based on an R-value, which is its
ability to resist heat flow. The higher the value, the better
the insulation’s quality.
Simple Ways to Make Your Home Energy Efficient (and
save money!)
There are many choices you can make that can improve your
home’s energy efficiency. Here are just a few:
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Insulate your water heater. |
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Use heat-generating appliances, such as washers and
dryers in the cooler hours of the day or night. |
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Plant trees and shrubs around your home. They
protect your home from heat in the summer. |
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Check the insulation in your attic and garage. |
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Be responsible with your water use; install an
efficient showerhead. |
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Turn off and unplug anything you aren’t currently
using, including the television, lights, computer, etc.
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The
Reality of Going Green
Myth: Building an energy efficient home is
too expensive.
Reality: There are many affordable ways to make
your home energy efficient. Even though an energy efficient
product or material may be a bit more expensive upfront, if it
saves you money on energy bills, it will easily pay for itself
in the end.
Myth: An energy efficient home is solely
based on choosing the right home improvement materials.
Reality: Being energy efficient is also based
on using your appliances efficiently and maintaining their
performance. You control the temperature on your thermostat or
the amount of water you use, no matter what home improvement
materials you are using.
Myth: Energy efficient products don’t work
as well as other products.
Reality: Energy efficient products work just as
well, sometimes even better, than traditional products. Products
with the ENERGY STAR label are evaluated for both their ability
to save energy and their overall performance and quality.
Myth: Energy efficient products are hard to
find.
Reality: Now more than ever, these products are
widely available and easy to identify. When in doubt, look for
the ENERGY STAR label when choosing home improvement products.
Myth: ‘Going green’ is an all-or-nothing
decision.
Reality: You don’t have to buy a windmill or
live by solar power to ‘go green’. Slowly integrating energy
efficient products into your home is a good start, and can be
efficient even when mixed with traditional products. A few small
changes can easily add up, saving you energy and money.
'Going green' can be fun, easy, rewarding and
exciting - all at the same time!
Click here to
contact us today or call 888-312-2001 to see how we can assist
you with your next home improvement project.