Atlanta residents and businesses are always looking for ways to decrease energy usage in order to save money and to reduce their environmental footprint. There are many investments that Atlanta homeowners and building owners can make to reduce energy use.
Minor Projects:
Some minor energy saving projects include sealing the existing windows and doors to prevent air leakage, installing a water heater insulator, and changing from incandescent to flourescent or LED light bulbs.
Major Projects:
On the major projects side, investing in good insulation is probably the number one energy saver. Since hot air rises, good insulation in the attic will help to prevent the heat from escaping in the winter.
If these projects aren't enough, they you may want to consider window replacement. The proper installation of the correct windows can save energy on both heating and cooling. For example double pane or triple pane windows provide better insulation. Installing tinted windows on the north side of your house will help to reduce the amount of sunlight that enters your house in the summer, and untinted windows on the south side will allow the warm sunlight to enter in the winter. It is very important that the windows are installed properly, so that air does not leak in or out along the edges.
Estimate Energy Savings:
When deciding whether to replace your windows, take into consideration the lifetime of the windows which you are installing. First, make sure the new replacement windows will outlast your current windows. Estimate your energy consumption after you install the replacement windows and compare it to your current energy consumption. Then, multiply the difference by the lifetime of the new windows to obtain the estimate of energy you will save over the lifetime of the windows. If the new windows which you choose are also an aesthetic upgrade from your current windows, then the value added to your house will increase when it comes time to sell. These are all things to consider in order to save energy and add value to your house or building.