Stay cool with some summer energy-saving tips

With spring winding to a close, suburbanites and city folk will soon start prepping their places for simmering summertime temperatures. For most, this process begins with a few thermostat adjustments or maybe some quality time with a clunky, precariously balanced window unit.

This year, add energy-saving tasks to your pre-summer to-do list. By making some simple household tweaks, you can stave off the heat and improve your home's energy efficiency.

Watch the windows
Drafty windows are a year-round problem. They allow heat to escape in the winter and discharge air conditioning in the summer. So, make sure to check your windows for air leakage. If you encounter this problem, seal up the openings with caulk. According to the Department of Energy, caulk works for stationary cracks up to one-quarter of an inch wide. Weather stripping is also a good option. However, be prepared to commit more time and money if you decide to go in this direction.

You might also consider making some energy-saving design changes. Draperies effectively deflect sunlight and cool down rooms. Medium-colored sets with plastic backing are your best bet. In fact, studies show that these particular drapes cut interior heat gains by more than 30 percent.

Maximize efficiency with accessories
Air conditioning units can't do it all. So, take a trip to your local home improvement store and pick up some essential house-cooling accessories. Kick off your shopping spree by purchasing a ceiling fan or two. But, be warned: fan misinformation is rampant.

For example, some experts tell homeowners that these fans can effectively cool rooms in lieu of air conditioning. Unfortunately, this just isn't true, reported Gizmodo. Ceiling fans cool people, not spaces. These wind generators are definitely effective in stuffy areas packed with humans, but don't deploy them in empty rooms expecting an extreme cool down.

Programmable thermostats are also a good option. According to the EPA, these digital wonders can save you around 10 percent on your annual heating and cooling costs. However, try not to switch off the air conditioning when leaving the house. This strategy may sound like an obvious money-saving hack, but in reality it requires your unit to expend extra energy re-cooling an entire home.

It might also do you some good to switch out your sheets, reported The Huffington Post. When the heat hits, stow those flannel or t-shirt textiles and nab some cool cotton. Additionally, think about trading in your current pillows for a pair stuffed with buckwheat hulls. These breathable cushions provide great support and won't stick to your body during extra humid nights.

Cook to get cool
Kitchens can get hot during mealtime. So, as temperatures rise, adopt some novel meal preparation techniques. Start by making cooling meals like gazpacho and salad. If you need to cook some protein, do it outside with a charcoal or gas grill. If you must cook indoors, use the microwave or the stove top instead of the oven, reported the California Energy Commission.     

Work with what you've got
Sometimes it's best to leave behind the cooling equipment and deal with the heat on your own by making a few simple summer lifestyle changes. If you've got a basement, try spending more time below. Additionally, turn off the lights, especially if you use incandescent light bulbs. These bulbs use up to 90 percent of their energy through heat emission.

When it's bedtime, prepare by dampening your sheets with some cold water or placing a frozen hot water bottle at the foot of the bed. Before you bed down, open your windows to let in cooling outside air.

Home improvements that will increase your property value

Sellers are forever hunting for renovations that will increase their property values and net higher offers. Of course, there are plenty of home improvement pitfalls that will accomplish just the opposite. If you're looking to stake a for-sale sign, be sure to focus on fixes with good cost-value ratios.

Create wide-open spaces
Most modern homebuyers gravitate toward homes with open floor plans, This Old House reported. Sellers with homes that feature manifold divisions should think about knocking down some non-structural walls to create interior flow and let in light. One downed wall could open up your living and dining areas and entice feng shui-seekers to take a tour.

While you're at, take some time to address clutter in general. According to Consumer Reports, some simple cleaning and reorganization can garner a 3- 5 percent return.

For most homebuyers, open floor plans are the be-all and end-all.For most homebuyers, open floor plans are the be-all and end-all.

Tweak bathrooms, the kitchen
Buyers often focus on bathrooms and kitchens. In fact, in a nationwide survey of real estate experts, Consumer Reports found that more than 50 percent of respondents believed the kitchen was one of the most important spaces for house hunters. However, many caution sellers against dropping cash on major kitchen renovations.

"Given all the volatility in the real estate market, you can't spend megabucks on any project, even a kitchen, and expect to get that money back," Bill Wilson, an Upstate New York-based realtor, told the publication.

The data bears this out. According to the magazine Remodeling, minor kitchen remodels normally net returns of -4 percent.

Instead of embarking on a serious kitchen renovation, make some small, yet impactful tweaks. Purchase a new faucet – low-flow models will improve your home's energy efficiency – and do away with antiquated or harsh lighting fixtures. Additionally, perform a deep clean and remove food-particle buildup in hard-to-reach areas. To top it all off, add a fresh coat of light paint and switch out the curtains and blinds.

"Complete bathroom remodels often offer bad returns."

You will want to use the same minimalist methodology when making improvements to your bathrooms. Complete remodels in these areas offer bad returns. Remodeling reports numbers ranging from -3.4 to -5.9 percent. So, make conservative tweaks. Re-grout floor tiles and other gaps. Replace cabinet pulls, knobs and bath and shower hardware as well.

"I tell my clients to replace anything with a handle, especially if the home has hard water, since it causes so much metal corrosion," Pennsylvania-based real estate consultant Ginny Ivanoff told Consumer Reports.

Facilitate an entry to remember
As homebuyers tread up the drive to conduct a walkthrough, they are greeted by the front door. According to real estate experts, this seemingly dull encounter can determine the outcome of a sale. 

"Don't underestimate the power of a front door," Kristin Willens, senior manager of Program Development at the Massachusetts-based realty firm ERA Real Estate, told This Old House. "People make up their minds in the first seven seconds of entering a house."

Entry door replacements do indeed pay off. According to Remodeling, most garner returns of over 5 percent. So, be sure to make this key exterior upgrade. Additionally, install a new bell and consider adding a portico. If you don't have room in your budget to accommodate replacement, add a new coat of paint. Choose a color that not only reflects your home's interior aesthetic, but also gives buyers insight into the life you and your family lead within its walls.

Of course, if you're a neon-pink sort of clan, take some time to reconsider more understated alternatives. As you look through swatches, consider the architectural style of your structure.

Spruce up your home for a spring sale

March is prime home-selling time, reported Zillow. Soon, buyers in the U.S. will be out in force perusing lawns, picking through basements and negotiating prices. Sellers planning to put their homes on the market within the next few months must prepare for the checkbook-toting masses by doing a little spring cleaning. But before you start tearing apart your home, look over a few key home-improvement guidelines.

Clean up
The first step in the home-selling preparation process involves a lot of scrubbing. It makes perfect sense. Most buyers won't set foot in a home with dirty, explicitly lived-in interiors. Perform a detailed house sweep and clean out every cobwebbed corner and bursting broom closet. According to Lifehacker, sellers should cut out the clutter as well. Donate or trash unneeded items and rent a storage unit for those essentials you just can't bring yourself to throw out. Additionally, consider hiring a professional cleaning service to get rid of pet smells or other obnoxious odors. Remember, clean interiors signal to buyers that they're investing in a well-maintained home.

De-personalize
According to real estate experts, sellers should de-personalize their homes and give buyers a blank slate, so to speak. Relocate your collection of vintage signage to a storage unit and take down the family photos that line the walls. Once you have extracted all of those picture hangers, patch and repaint. Most home buyers like to see white on the walls, as the plain hue allows them to envision personal paint preferences. Additionally, if you have performed quirky customizations, consider taking them back to stock.

Do some staging
Cleaning up and moving out personal items isn't enough. You also have to stage. Reorganize rooms to best show off features and hide defects. Also, when reconsidering room setup, take into account local buyer profiles. For instance, if young families are moving into your neighborhood, transform an extra room into a small nursery. If you are really serious about staging, you can even hire a professional home stager.   

Spend to earn
Sellers might want to consider making substantial changes, reported Money. The garage door is a good place to start. Most homeowners recognize the high-pitched shriek most door chains emit after years of regular use. According to This Hold House, you can cut down on the cacophony by adding noise-proof rubber padding to the equation. You can swap the whole thing – motor and all – for a few hundred dollars. And, consider replacing the door with a more aesthetically-pleasing model. You can nab a new door for $3000 to $8000, including labor.

Consider curb appeal
Buyers often place a high premium on curb appeal. Of course, this makes perfect sense – initial gut feelings mean a lot. In fact, studies have show that consumers who act on inexplicable urges are normally more satisfied with their purchasing decisions than those who take an analytical approach, reported Psychology Today. So, make sure you thoroughly address the exterior of your home before putting it on the market. Repaint and reseal outdoor surfaces such as doors and window frames. Also, address any landscaping flaws and plant some nice flowers. Daylilies, petunias and zinnias are good for springtime. 

Prepare for an energy-efficient future
According to the National Association of Home Builders, energy efficiency is particularly important to modern homebuyers. To meet buyer expectations, sellers must first request an energy audit to spot deficiencies. Once you have fixed key trouble areas, maximize your home's efficacy by making a number of small changes. Install low-flow bathroom and kitchen sink fixtures, switch to compact florescent light bulbs and install more ceiling fans to cut back on the need for air conditioning. Additionally, programmable thermostats lower utility bills and improve overall energy-efficiency, reported U.S. News & World Report. Don't worry too much about the cost of these improvements. The Department of Energy offers tax breaks to homeowners who meet its energy-efficiency standards.     

Is better energy efficiency possible?

Maryland is one of the first states in the U.S. to create a full-on hands approach to better energy efficiency. In 2015, the Maryland Public Service Commission approved an energy efficiency goal to cut utility retail sales by 2 percent annually. Although this is possible, some believe even more can be done.

According to a new report released by the Regulatory Assistance Project, systematic approaches to energy efficiency can make more of a difference than what is currently occurring. In order to make this a reality, definitions would be altered and better investments made to ensure real changes are a real possibility.

The report found that 30 percent of the U.S.'s electricity system goals could be met in 10 years if planned changes were ramped up accordingly. Although it is possible, the change would require both "innovative thinking" and "unwavering commitment," two ideas that were also put forth in the final findings.

How could this actually be done?

For Maryland, the changes would be greater than they already are now. The state would have to determine areas in which increases could be made, as much as 50 percent higher in both programs and products. Other states with plans in place to hit 1 percent or 1.5 percent targets would instead have to double, and in some cases, even triple efforts.

By recognizing the real savings that homeowners can achieve, simply by knowing more about energy efficiency, more change can be made overall.

If you're interested in learning more about energy efficiency, schedule an energy audit in your home today. Our inspectors are trained to handle a wide array of energy issues and enhance outcomes.

Visit our website to learn more.

What are the benefits of a home energy audit?

Investing in a home inspection is an essential part of property ownership. By having an experienced inspector take a look at your home, serious issues can be discovered that may have been unsuitable for your current living situation.

If you believe there is no real change that can be made in your home, because of its age or size, don't count yourself short!

What are some of the benefits of a home energy audit?

  • Finding hidden issues: If the walls of your home could talk, they may have more to say than anyone in your family realized. Dangerous issues can be uncovered during energy audits, such as finding mold behind a wall. By not maintaining proper ventilation, mold and mildew can build up, which if left untreated, can lead to serious health issues.
  • Improved home comfort: If your house feels too hot or too cold, seems to hold smells for long periods of time or lets in unwanted critters, an energy audit can make a difference. An audit targets problem areas such as drafty windows or faulty HVAC systems, which can lead to better air circulation and temperature control. Issues with weatherstripping or holes in insulation can also cause pests to enter, which can lead to other serious issues.
  • Increasing home marketability: A recent study published in the Appraisal Journal found that for every $1 decrease in energy costs, the market value of a home increases by $20.

Another obvious benefit, which may be the most important, is an energy audit's effect on the environment. By creating more sustainable means by which homes can operate, efficiency is enhanced and the amount of greenhouse gases is decreased.

Visit our website to learn more, or schedule an energy audit with Alban Inspections today.

Energy efficiency continues to rise

What is the current state of energy efficiency in the United States? According to a recent study conducted by Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) and the Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE), energy efficiency continues to grow, with cleaner energy and natural gas being consumed, as coal burning and carbon dioxide emissions fall.

Some of the main findings of the study include:

  • Investments in energy efficiency causes have spurred the growth of American productivity, creating jobs as well as more hospitable living locations. American energy productivity increased 13 percent from 2007 to 2015.
  • 2015 was a record year for natural gas production, consumption, power generation and overall volume.
  • Renewable energy is a prominent part of U.S. power, making up 20 percent of its total output. With more than 222 GW of installed capacity available across the country, an increase of 57 percent has been made since 2008.

"Last year was certainly one for the history books: US power sector CO2 emissions fell to their lowest annual level since the mid-1990s. And the net impact on consumers is negligible to positive as prices for electricity and fuel remained low by historic standards and customer choices expanded. Perhaps most importantly, many of the key changes seen in 2015 are likely permanent shifts, rather than temporary adjustments due to one-time events," said Senior Analyst at BNEF Colleen Regan.

Since 2007, the U.S. has put close to $445 billion toward renewable energy sources and energy smart technologies. By doing so, overall efficiency has increased and continues to do so. Making energy efficient changes can begin small as well. By making changes, such as installing Energy Star appliances, an easily controlled thermostat or new HVAC system, real savings can be maintained now and in the future.

To learn more, schedule an energy audit today.

Why should Americans care about energy efficiency?

Most Americans believe solar and wind energy sources are best in terms of savings and environmental impact. While this can be true for some, there are other, smaller energy efficient initiatives that can also make a difference. 

Since 1990, U.S. Department of Energy changes have cut energy use through a range of appliances. These cuts include:

  • 70 percent by installing new washing machines
  • 40 percent by installing new dishwashers
  • About 50 percent with new air conditioners 
  • 10 percent by installing better furnace units

Although these cuts have been made, there has been a slight drop in the amount of Americans ready and willing to make these kinds of changes. 

"Even though understanding of energy sources remains at historical levels, in the last few years fewer consumers are taking steps to reduce energy consumption in their homes," says Carol M. Gstalder, Reputation & Public Relations Practice Leader for Harris Poll. "As energy prices drop, so do consumers' commitment to energy-saving decisions from replacing light bulbs and water heaters to installing solar."

By continuing to make energy efficient changes, families can save up to 25 percent of their monthly bill costs. The key to securing these changes is the method through which they are achieved. By taking a whole-house approach, such as looking room to room for overall changes, more savings can be incurred.

By taking small steps like installing a programmable thermostat, air drying clothes and checking windows and doors for leaks, energy efficiency can be better maintained. 

To learn more or to schedule an energy audit with Alban Inspections, visit the rest of our website. 

New markets begin to focus on energy efficiency

New markets are emerging every day in a range of industries including manufacturing, financial and energy services. As these continue to develop, many experts believe they can play a key role in reducing overall energy consumption.

Although energy prices have continued to decrease in the past 18 years, many governments remain committed to reducing their emissions even further. According to Forbes, private companies and investors should jump on this energy efficient train while they can, especially as the market remains hot.

Governments often have a stronghold over these markets, creating new laws and submitting legislation for better energy practices and a deeper sense of understanding in terms of how they can be changed over time. By creating incentive programs, banning certain items that detract from energy efficiency and offering financial breaks for those that take initiative, real improvements can be made.

In addition to governments, people can make their own changes as well, enabling energy efficiency to flourish in their homes. Keep the following four tips in mind for simple first steps toward better living:

  • Cover hardwood flooring: During the summer, only having hardwood flooring can keep the home cool, but in the winter, it's often better to have something on the ground. This adds to both comfort and overall heat retention in each room, especially if there is a lack of floor insulation.
  • Don't over-dry: Check your clothes during their spin cycle, especially when drying. Clothes often dry faster than one may think, wasting unnecessary energy.
  • Motion detector lights: By installing these lights outside of your home, energy can be reduced, only lighting paths and doorways when necessary.
  • Shorten the shower: Try and take a quicker shower a few morning a week. This will decrease water consumption, and the amount of heat needed to warm it up.

To learn more about energy efficiency, visit our website.

Heat your home safely and efficiently this winter

Keeping your home heated this winter is essential for both the comfort and safety of your family. A warm home lessens the severity of the outside elements, creating a cozy atmosphere that's evident as soon as you walk in the door. 

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the average household spends about $2,000 a year on utilities, with half of this payment attributed to heating costs alone. Homeowners can reduce this cost without compromising safety by keeping just a few tips in mind.

  • Be sure vents are clear: The last thing that should be happening is a heating vent blockage. This most often occurs when curtain drapes or even furniture are placed too close to a source of heat. This will cause your system to work harder and can potentially cause a fire as well. Vent air should be able to flow freely at all times.
  • Check the furnace filter: The EPA recommends changing furnace filters every three months. If it's dirty or has accrued a buildup of materials, it will not run as efficiently. By not cleaning the filter, this can also cause a potential fire hazard, as these materials can become flammable when left for long periods of time.
  • Fan it out: Use the ceiling fan to your advantage. Fans should be turned on to circulate warm air downward by keeping it on low with the blade direction running backward. In addition, opening the curtains on sunny days can also make a difference, heating the home by natural means. 

For more home heating and efficiency tips, visit our website or consider scheduling an energy audit today. Alban Inspections offers a range of energy efficiency checks that ensure homeowners' peace of mind this winter.

How can energy efficiency be improved in your home?

As the temperatures continue to drop, your furnace may be taking a beating in terms of working overtime to keep your home warm and comfortable. In addition to higher energy consumption, energy bills will increase as well. Costs most often associated with heating and cooling the home comprise two-thirds of average energy bills.

These changes may be DIY-esque, but bringing in a professional such as Alban Inspections can also make a great difference. 

  • Caulk around the windows: Cracks of any form in the home are one of the most prevalent issues affecting energy efficiency. These can also be an entry point for moisture and water, as well as unwanted pests. By covering up these entrances, more costly repairs can be avoided.
  • Keep up with the furnace filter: Take some time each month, especially during the winter, to look at your furnace filter and ensure it is working properly. By changing it when it is clogged or dirty, it will work more efficiently without overexerting itself.
  • Replace old insulation: A poorly insulated attic or basement will release heat in large amounts. By replacing older insulation, heat will be kept inside to warm the home. This can also help prevent leaking and other unsightly weather conditions. By staying on top of insulation, the efficiency of your home will be kept in proper order.

Finally, be aware of other apparent issues in your home. If your bills seem to be sky high and the house is like an ice box, there is most likely something amiss. A quick scout of the area can be helpful, especially with an expert in your corner.

To learn more, visit our website.