Improve Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Technology

Today’s home owners and buyers are looking for ways to incorporate home technologies that increase the long-term value of their house but also provide convenience, safety and comfort. Energy management is a highly-desired feature in both newly-built and existing homes, along with multi-zone heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems and lighting controls. Not only are these features easy-to-use, but they also provide energy-efficiency.  

By incorporating the following technologies, home owners can save money on their utility bills:
Automated HVAC systems can maintain a more energy-efficient temperature while the home owners are away at work, but switch to a more comfortable temperature prior to their arrival home.  Zones can also be created to heat or cool only the areas most used by the occupants, keeping other areas, such as guest bedrooms, shut down until they are needed. They also can combat the problem of heat rising, keeping upper floors cooler in the summer without freezing the lower floors in a home. According to Energy Star, a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy, programmable thermostats can save consumers about $180 per year in energy costs.
Water heaters with a timer can be turned off when the occupants are traveling, then can turn on and begin heating the water in preparation for their return home. Tankless gas water heaters — which only activate when residents start to use hot water and immediately de-activate when they are done — are also a great option and can reduce water heating costs up to 35 percent annually.
Lighting can make up 10 to 20 percent of the total electrical usage of the home. Installing an automatic dimmer, which adjusts to the home owner’s needs based on time of day or occupancy, will lower electricity bills and increase the life expectancy of light bulbs. 
Blinds and drapes can be programmed to close during the hottest part of the day to block out the sun; keeping the house cooler. In the colder winter months, they can open up to allow the sun in to warm the house, which helps regulate the room temperature.

By incorporating technologies that help make your home operate more efficiently, Energy Star estimates that home owners can save $200 to $400 annually on their energy bills.

Your home can be insulated in many different ways.

Insulation is a good investment. You will pay less for your utility bills, also. Your home can be more comfortable in the winter months. It will also feel better in the summer heat. Several kinds of insulation are available. Spray foam ceiling insulation may worth your consideration.
Spray foam insulation is one of the newer choices for your attic. It has the ability to seal your ceilings as well as insulate. Other forms of insulation cannot do that for you. This can keep out pests like rodents and insects. The sealing property can increase the air quality in your home. There will not be as many outside pollutants entering your house. This can be a factor for people with respiratory ailments.

You will get very good insulation from foam. It offers a lot of thermal resistance for your money. Insulation is rated in thermal resistance. It is also called R-factor. The higher the r-factor, the better your home is insulated. R30 is usually recommended as minimum attic insulation. This may depend on the climate where you live. An insulation contractor can give you more information.

Spray foam can also increase the structural integrity of your ceilings. Most attic insulation merely lies in the spaces between your ceiling joists. Foam is blown in and expands. It will stick to the ceiling joists. This can increase ceiling stability. Other kinds of insulation cannot make that claim.

You can also use spray foam insulation to insulate your crawlspace. In most cases, your crawlspace is not insulated. It is allowed to help vent your roof. However, this can expose your heat and air ducts to extreme temperature. Your attic can be considerably hotter than the rest of your house. Your air conditioner will have to work harder as a result. It will also be harder on your furnace in the winter.

If you have adequate room ventilation, you can insulate the rafters under your roof. This can be sprayed from inside. Foam will stick to the area between the rafters. You can insulate them with fiberglass building insulation. However, it will not seal the way that foam will.

Spray foam insulation may cost a little more to install. However, you will save more money, over time. It insulates and seals better than most others. You can qualify for certain energy credits also.

Summary:

Spray foam ceiling insulation will be a good investment. Your house will be well sealed and insulates. It will feel more comfortable in winter and summer. Your cooling and heating bills will be less, also.