With fuel prices soaring through the roof, people are making several changes in their lifestyle to lower energy consumption. With transportation, this has lead to electric and hybrid cars but there are home improvements that can cut your energy costs as well. For example, homeowners are starting to invest in more storm windows, new furnaces and programmable thermostats than before because they are energy savers that can help lower utility bills. Unfortunately, most people overlook the need for more insulation because it is hidden inside of their walls.
Insulation can make a huge difference in your home's energy efficiency though; especially in the attic where a lot of heat is lost and gained. Insulation is graded on a scale of R-values. The higher you can bring the R-value in your walls and roof, the better protected you will be from the extreme temperatures outside.
Unfortunately, when homes are built, contractors are only required to use a minimal amount of insulation during construction. The result is a cold house in winter and a hot house in the summer. If you want to lower your heating and cooling costs, one of the best ways to do it is install additional insulation.
What if the home is already built? You don't need to tear down existing walls to install additional insulation because it comes in many forms. One of the most versatile and user-friendly products is called Cocoon Insulation. Since this product has been made from recycled newspaper, it is non-hazardous and light-weight. This makes it easy to handle and install. As a loose insulation product it can also be retrofitted into existing walls through small holes that can be easily patched and hidden.
Other Benefits of Insulation In addition to improving energy retention, Cocoon Insulation can make your home a quieter place by blocking unwanted outside noises. It has also been treated to resist loose fire and insects. This means that you will be safer as well as more comfortable with Cocoon Insulation lining your walls.
Affordability For the rewards that insulation provides, it is also a very affordable way to make home improvements. And, compared to buying a new furnace or replacing windows, adding insulation costs a fraction of the price. Adding insulation doesn't take a lot of time either. Depending on the size of your home, you could have everything insulated in a couple of days. Most insulation products can be self-installed, but a few may require professional service.
It has been proven by experts that cost effective backyard landscaping which takes into account energy needs can save the average household approximately a third of their usual costs on heating and cooling throughout the summer and winter months. In reality, we could be talking about $250 of savings over a twelve month period.
The question is ' how do you create an energy efficient yard? There are several things to consider when learning how to do this, whether your yard is already landscaped or still yet to be done. Here are a few suggestions.
Keep Out the Sun
One of the main things to think about when landscaping is the prevailing weather conditions. Where does the sun shine on your property and what path does it take? When hit directly by the heat of the sun, the walls of a house will attract nearly 90% of the sun's heat, and in doing so, put more pressure on the air conditioning or other cooling system to keep the inside of the house at a pleasantly cool temperature.
If you want to block out the sun you can plant dense and wide trees at south or west facing areas of the house and the foliage will give shade from the hot summer sun. You will find that temperatures within the property are reduced by nearly ten degrees Fahrenheit simply by following this procedure.
During the winter months when the deciduous trees shed their foliage, the winter sun will be allowed access to your walls and foundations, just when the heat it needed.
Break the Wind
The winds which blow through your house are a main contributor to the lower indoor temperatures experienced especially in the winter-time when the cold wind chill factor is present.
If you can set up a wind break, either by the use of strategically placed fences or evergreens and trees, this will cut down the winds blowing through your home a great deal.
Capturing the Heat or Cool Indoors
Much energy is regularly wasted when the heat or cool within the house is allowed to disappear through the windows, doors and even the roof so it is necessary to find a way to capture the heat or cool and store it inside the home. Shrubs around the perimeter of the foundations of the property will create a dead air barrier, thus keeping the heat and cool indoors. It has been suggested by the experts that to widen the area between the foundations or walls and the planted shrubbery will create more space for the dead air.
When landscaping your garden or yard, maximize the advantages of using materials and greenery which are appealing to look at. You will then find that not only is your garden a pleasure to behold but it will be preserving energy and saving you money at the same time.
Both Art Gib & Carol Stack are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Art Gib has sinced written about articles on various topics from Supplements, Teachers and self improvement and motivation. If you would like to learn more about that you can use in your own home, visit Future Energy Corporation at. Art Gib's top article generates over 1830000 views. to your Favourites.
Carol Stack has sinced written about articles on various topics from Fitness, Fishing and Fitness. Get many more , including ideas and designs, at