Tips to conserve energy this Winter
SEARCH 'N' FIND
How many pieces of plastic wrap are you using to cover your windows this year? Winter after winter, some of us resort back to tried and tested quick fixes. Plastic wrap here, a bit of caulking there, and more clothing and blankets at night. If these do-it-yourself actions sound familiar, it's likely your home is suffering from more than just a leaky exterior.
Sometimes we don't always know what to ask and knowing is half the battle. You might have some of these common symptoms: drafty rooms, hot or cold ceilings, walls or whole rooms; high heating or cooling bills or even ice dams on the roof in the winter.
When searching for air leaks, check the areas where walls meet the foundation or ceiling, and also the seals around windows. Any material, wire or fixture that cuts into the continuous seam of the ceiling, wall or foundation presents an opportunity for gaps and cracks to be present, which can be properly addressed by installing air sealing and insulation.
Different methods achieve different results whereas being informed or educated can achieve desired results. Consider having a thorough evaluation, a home energy audit, to find hidden air leaks, pinpoint exact solutions for your home, increase the comfort and to identify potential health and safety issues.
RULE YOUR ATTIC
Insulate: to reduce the rate of heat transfer. Insulation as a building material increases the comfort and energy efficiency of a building.
The mechanism is simple, heat will flow from a warmer space to a cooler one until the difference between temperatures is ZERO. In the winter, the heat will flow directly from the living spaces (living room, kitchen, or bedrooms) to adjacent unheated non-living spaces (attic, garage, or even outdoors). Having proper insulation levels in your attic, basement and walls decreases the heat flow and reduces the burden on your heating system to keep it working longer.
Insulation is measured by its "R-value". The higher the R-value, the greater the insulating effectiveness. The R-value is determined by the type of insulation, its thickness and its density. So when you are selecting a type of insulation, it's helpful to understand New Jersey's climate, where the material is going (walls or ceiling), and if there are any air leaks present in your house, as this will reduce the desired effect of insulation.
Being proactive helps to #RuleYourAttic. Addressing your insulation needs and air sealing issues can eliminate any comfort issues you have in your home. With an investment in proper insulation and air sealing you will achieve savings during each heating and cooling season. Despite influx temperatures, you can guarantee that the inside temperature will always remain stable and comfortable. If you know that there are issues in your home to address, call a Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® contractor, not only will the contractor listen to your concerns, they will assess the insulation, air sealing and HVAC, you can receive up to $4,000 in rebates to get the work done.
COOK UP SOME BIG SAVINGS
Refrigeration and cooking equipment can make up more than half of a restaurant's energy consumption. That's why it's the first place to look when you want to cut your monthly utility bill. Get up to $2,000 in rebates on qualifying equipment and start saving today.
Delivering the best possible food quality is important for any restaurant. If you are planning to purchase a new refrigerator or freezer, oven, fryer or dishwasher (just to name a few) in your facility, now is the time to take action. We have generous rebates to help offset the initial costs, and the high-efficiency equipment will reduce your operating costs year after year. Learn more.
Info provided by: New Jersey's Clean Energy Programâ„¢
