Energy costs are through the roof this winter. As temperatures have dropped over the past month, many homeowners are cranking up the heat. And for a lot of Americans with older homes or homes with poor insulation, they are watching that money go right through the roof, literally! Did you know that up to half of the money you spend on your energy bill comes from heating & cooling? This can easily add up to $1,200 or more over the course of a year.
So start with your roof. Not only does your roof do the obvious of protecting you from rain, snow, & wind, it can also help to keep your home at the right temperature: Warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. You can always call a local roofing contractor to come and inspect your roof for you as well.
If your able, go inside and inspect your attic for air leaks. Almost 60% of these crevices are present in the attic and can add up to the equivalent of an open window in your home. Properly sealing these areas will help maintain a warmer home and more money in your pocket. Look for leaks in areas such as recessed lighting, plumbing penetrations, openings to the attic where you are able to access the space, chimneys, and other conduits such as electrical, fans, skylights, etc.
Finally, take a look at your insulation. If you live in an older home that has not been updated, chances are the insulation could use some attention. Insulation is given an R-value which measures the resistance rate of heat transfer. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation. And you want your insulation to keep the heat trapped in your home so the thicker the insulation, the better. 18-inches of insulation is now the recommended in newer homes and anything less than that in older homes means an strong recommendation to update. Consider adding more insulation to help keep your heating bill manageable this winter.
If you would like to learn more about Energy costs are through the roof this winter, please e-mail us today. Along with roofing, we offer Kitchen Cabinet Refacing, Bathroom Wraps, Siding, Windows, Basement Finishing systems and more. We serve homeowners in Exeter, Stratham, Epping, Brentwood, Hampton, Manchester, Nashua and other surrounding cities.
We’re fully licensed and insured, and our installation professionals have an average of 15 years of industry experience. When you turn to Benchmark Home Improvements for your roofing needs, you can rest assured that you’re doing business with one of the most reputable and experienced home re-modelers in the area. In fact, we’re so confident in the quality of our work, we include a  labor warranty on the installation we perform.