| You're sitting on the couch watching television and all | | | | Installing good quality windows and doors is an |
| of a sudden you feel a draft that glides across your | | | | important factor in saving energy. Look for |
| feet. You know your furnace is on because you hear | | | | foam-insulated doors that are pre-hung at the |
| it running but you know there is draft in your room. | | | | factory in order to provide a tight seal once they are |
| You walk over to the window and feel your hair | | | | installed. You can prevent heat-loss and protect your |
| move as you get closer. You have a drafty, | | | | home from moisture with double-, or even triple-hung |
| inefficient window. But does it end there? No, you | | | | windows. These are expensive purchases, but the |
| discover a draft from your front door, back door and | | | | cost-benefit is well worth it during cold winter |
| even the electrical outlet next to your bed. You | | | | months, or hot summer days. |
| realize that you are losing a lot of heat through | | | | In addition, protecting your home from moisture is a |
| poorly insulated areas of your home. | | | | smart move because of the damage moisture can do |
| With rising energy prices, the time is here to think | | | | to wallboard and carpeting. Carpeting moisture |
| seriously about your home's efficiency. The approach | | | | promotes the growth of mold. While mold can cause |
| of spring makes it the perfect time to think about | | | | physical damage to your home, it can also damage |
| optimizing your home's efficiency to lower your | | | | your delicate lungs and sinuses through daily |
| energy bills during the hot summer and frigid winter | | | | exposure. |
| months to come. Building or remodeling an | | | | 4. Insulate parts of your home that could leak air |
| energy-efficient home takes some forethought and | | | | outside of the house |
| some initial up-front costs, but the planning and the | | | | Electrical outlets, light switches and exhaust fans can |
| investment will pay off with healthier living conditions | | | | have small gaps which allow inside air to leak out. |
| and monetary savings in the future. | | | | Combat this by filling the spaces around these areas |
| Here Are 4 Tips from AHA on How to Make Your | | | | with spray foam insulation, which expands to fill those |
| Home Energy Efficient | | | | spaces. This should be done in addition to installing |
| 1. Begin a preliminary search on-line | | | | high quality insulation in crawl spaces, between walls |
| Websites such as the National Association of Home | | | | and around venting ducts. You should also use mastic |
| Builders site ( can provide extensive information on | | | | sealing inside vent ducts when the ducts are installed. |
| recent developments in energy efficient building and | | | | This is a sealant inside of the duct can prevent air |
| can also provide contact information for their local | | | | from escaping when traditional taping in the ductwork |
| chapters. These are often able to give specific | | | | begins to rot. |
| information about maximizing energy efficiency for | | | | Building an energy efficient home is now more |
| situations unique to your area. | | | | possible than ever. The market is meeting the rising |
| 2. Look at your lights | | | | demand for energy efficient products which means a |
| If you're creating a new construction, position your | | | | greater variety for you. A well insulated home will |
| home to take advantage of the most daylight. | | | | keep dampness and outside air at bay. So, to keep |
| Installing windows and skylights can decrease your | | | | your family healthy and your utility bills down, try |
| electric bills because you can take advantage of | | | | taking some measures to make your home more |
| natural sunlight for longer hours during the day. | | | | energy efficient. The big pay-off will be well worth a |
| 3. Minimize air leaks | | | | little bit of effort. |