Keep an Eye on Winter Energy Bills

Holiday lights, Christmas trees, and colder temperatures mean that December is usually one of the most expensive months in terms of utility bills. Add all of this to power company rates on the rise and you can see why it’s a great time to take a closer look at your energy usage. 

One resource that not enough people take advantage of is an audit by Energize Connecticut. For a fee, a home energy consultant will come to your home and conduct a full assessment, covering your furnace and water heater, air ducts, windows, doors, and more. Plus they can offer rebates for upgrades and repairs. To apply, visit the EnergizeCT website and choose your service provider. 

If you’re not interested in an assessment but would still like to enjoy some serious home energy savings, here are the top five spots I always check for air leaks and heat loss. 

1. Windows. Believe it or not, hanging heavy fabric drapes can help you retain up to 25% of the heat in your home. This is especially true with large glass doors that aren’t being used in the winter months. Also, be sure to check for gaps. Wooden window frames get warped with age and can lead to serious air leakage. For cracks that are smaller than a quarter of an inch, a silicone caulk will work to plug up areas where heat is escaping. Also, if you feel air coming right through your single panes and the glass rattles with the wind, beef them up with some shrink film. This product can be found at any home supply store and can be cut to size. 

2. Doors. We don’t often open the windows in the winter, but doors are a different story. They let lots of air escape, but they can’t be sealed completely because we need to use them. I always suggest inspecting your door sweep to ensure it’s not damaged and replacing it if the bristles have come loose. A door snake or seal can also come in handy, which can be purchased at any big box store or even made at home with an old pair of stockings and some rice, beans, newspaper or another filling.

3. Attic. Those of you with an attic hatch are likely losing a ton of warm air through its frame. We all know that hot air rises, so seal up that hatch with heavy duty plastic, or build yourself an insulated box to fit over the entryway if you still need access to storage. 

4. Water Heater. Insulate your water heater’s tank and pipes with fiberglass. For the tank, fit a fiberglass blanket using foil tape, but be sure not to cover any valve or pipe openings. For the pipes, you can use fiberglass wrap or foam insulation. By adding a layer of insulation to your water heater, you’ll keep the warmth from escaping into the air and you’ll protect the machine from condensation in the summer months. 

5. Insulation. Most homes simply do not have enough insulation in the walls and attic, which is probably the number one contributor to sky-high energy bills. Insulation acts as a barrier against heat flow, helping to keep the warm air inside the house by slowing the flow and stopping the heat from getting outside. The United States Environmental Protection Agency says that with proper insulation, the average home in our area can save approximately 16 to 50 percent in total heating and cooling costs depending on the age and condition of the home. Plus it’s one of the highest rated home improvements in terms of real estate resale value. 

Bob O'Donnell is the owner of O'Donnell Bros, Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro”. All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O'Donnell Bros, Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Six Reasons to Invest in Insulation

Unless you live in a brand new home, chances are that your house is underinsulated. It’s a common issue affecting three in four homes in our area and one that can make yours more expensive, less comfortable, and even potentially dangerous to live in. 

Back in the old days of home building, insulation requirements weren’t nearly as strict as they are today. This means that many homes from even the 50s and 60s have about as much insulation as what would now be required for a Florida dwelling. Because people don’t know that their homes are underinsulated, or can’t be bothered to check, many of us are living less comfortably than we should. By adding insulation to your home, there are so many benefits, in addition to having the investment pay for itself in just a few years. Here are six of my favorites. 

It will reduce your heating and cooling bills. 

Insulation provides resistance to heat flow both in and out of the house. It will keep your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer simply by making it less difficult for air to escape or get in. You’ll see the difference in your gas and electricity bills instantly.

It will make your home more comfortable. 

A lot of people avoid rooms in their houses because they get too warm or cold. This is especially true in the second-floor bedrooms of a Cape Cod-style house. More insulation equates to better temperature regulation and a more comfortable environment all around.

It’s better for the planet.

Energy efficiency is so important as we all try to decrease the impact we have on the environment. People are looking for homes that do their job to reduce their carbon footprint and insulation ensures that less energy is needed to keep homes healthy and happy. 

It helps to increase your resale value. 

As more people are getting clued in to how important insulation is for the health of a house, buyers are paying more for homes that waste less. If you’re thinking about selling in the next few years, this is one upgrade that will be worth the investment.

It will keep your home quieter. 

As more of us are working and playing at home, noise has become a hot topic at family dinner tables. Insulation can significantly reduce how volume is carried throughout the home and can also help to cushion external noise from the street. 

It will make your home healthier.

Insulation, when coupled with ventilation, is a home’s best defense against moisture getting into the attic and walls. Once moisture enters a house, it can become mold if not dealt with properly. Mold in the home is a leading cause of asthma and allergies, especially in young children and the elderly. In addition to being harmful, it can also be expensive to remediate.

So there you have it, six reasons why insulation should be on your home improvement bucket list this winter. Have questions? Don’t be shy, message me on Facebook at facebook.com/odonnellbros. 

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Fall Home Maintenance to Tackle in September

With cold weather in the near future, now is the perfect time to get your home ready for winter. There are a lot of tasks that homeowners have to handle in the fall, which is why I recommend getting started early before it gets too chilly. What are the most important things you should do to keep your home both comfortable and protected this season? Here are my top five tips. 

Gutters

Before we know it, leaves will be clogging up your gutters and downspouts. If you’ve ever thought about installing gutter guards, now is the time to do it. Guards will protect your gutters from debris and help you to avoid that cumbersome autumn clean-out. Plus, clear gutters are the only way to ensure that rainwater is removed from your home properly.

Doors

With so much moisture in the air this summer, many elements of our homes have expanded. You may notice that your doors are sticking, making them more difficult to open. As the weather cools and the wood contracts, there may be gaps that will let cold air come right into the house. Make sure that your door sweep is in good working order and install some weather stripping to seal any space between the door and its frame.

Insulation

Most homes that I visit are under-insulated, which is a problem in both the summer and in the winter. Insulation helps regulate the temperature of a home, allowing for heat retention and overall comfort. Lots of homeowners I meet tell me that their second floor is much warmer than the first, a surefire sign that a house doesn’t have enough insulation. 

Roof

Now is a great time to inspect your roof to make sure that there is no damage to the shingles and the flashing around the chimney. As snow sits on a roof for much longer than rain, it’s easy to get leaks in the wintertime. Any current roof issues should be dealt with before the cold weather hits to make sure that a small problem doesn’t become a big one. 

Windows

When I visit a house, I will often use a thermal camera to see how much heat is being lost. Old wood sash or aluminum windows are both major culprits. New vinyl windows are great in terms of energy efficiency and heat loss reduction, and at my own house, we love the tilt-in sashes for easy cleaning. 

Being a homeowner requires a lot of maintenance, but the investment is worth it to keep you and your family comfortable all year round. Plus, with today’s hot real estate market, any of these updates will help you to get a better price if a sale is in your future. 

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.