INSULATING YOUR HOME WITH A PREMIUM EXTERIOR PAINT JOB

Save energy costs and insulate the outside of your home with meticulous practices. Insulate the outside of your home with a NASA-inspired insulating paint product.

• Techniques to Save Energy Costs While Painting Your Home

Windows and doors and clothes dryer vents are where most conditioned air escapes and unwanted exterior air sneaks in, costing the homeowner money in his or her energy bills. A quality exterior painter knows this, and will seal gaps not just for aesthetics but to save you money.

First and foremost: siliconized caulk. Gaps around windows and doors need to be caulked before they are painted. Make sure the surface is clean and free of dust and grease, then apply a bead of caulk and smooth it with your finger so it fills the gap. This will help make the doors and windows airtight. This can save you up to $100 per year.

Secondly, when painting window sashes and their glazing it is a good idea to leave a line of paint over the glazing and on the glass that is roughly 1/10th of an inch wide – this well help create an airtight barrier on the glass pane and the glazing, preventing any drafts from entering the home.

Also, make sure to repair or replace rotted wood trim and siding. If not, moisture and air can find its way inside and adversely affect your energy bills, while compromising the structural integrity of your home.

Remember:

The exterior paint on your home is the skin that protects its structural elements from the weather, so a high-quality, professional paint job is important to your home’s longevity.

  • Insulating Paint inspired by NASA: The Next Big Thing?

Insulating paint, or radiant barrier paint, is a relatively new product that is still under scrutiny. This type of paint essentially uses traditional paint with an additive that’s main purpose is to reduce the build-up of heat, thereby insulating the building from the outside. A similar type of coating is already used today on piping and ductwork.

DIY Home Energy Audit Checklist

Home energy audits are the best way to start saving on your energy bills. Although performing a home energy audit on your own may not get you the same results as a professional home energy audit, it will still help pinpoint improvements that need to be made. DIY home energy audits are

simple procedures that do not require buying any equipment. Arm yourself with an energy audit checklist filled with simple questions that will help you through the process of finding areas that need improvements. By performing an energy audit you'll identify problems with your home and some habits you and your family will need to break. This energy audit check list has six areas of evaluation.

1. Air leaks: Check areas like windows, doors, electric outlets, fans, light switches, the basement, the attic, fireplace and air-conditioners. Air leaks seriously raise the cost of heating and cooling bills and it is essential to make sure these areas are properly sealed. 
2. Insulation: Proper insulation will help you save on heating and cooling bills. Check to make sure your insulation levels are up to code so you can be sure your home is not leaking expensive hot and cold air. You'll want to check the attic, basement and accessible walls and floors to see if they are insulated properly. If you can't access these areas call a professional home energy audit company, or Denver insulation companies because they will have to tools to access the insulation levels without causing damage to your home. 
3. Heating Systems: An efficient heating system and hot water heater will save you up to 40 percent on your energy costs. If your furnace is old, replace it with a newer more efficient model (after properly insulation your home and inspecting the ductwork). Tankless water heaters will are a great way to save money on heating water.

Residential Denver Energy Challenge

For residents of Denver seeking to lower their environmental impact and energy bills, the Denver Energy Challenge offers resources that help. Denver received a $25 million grant from the Department of Energy's Better Buildings Program to improve efficiency of the City and County. The Challenge is designed to increase efficiency investments, advance energy independence and help stimulate economic growth. The Denver Energy Challenge has a goal to improve 6,000 homes and 1,200 businesses by May of 2013. Other goals are to reduce usage by 15 percent (or more), reduce utility bills for residence and to create jobs in the energy efficiency industry.

The Denver Energy Challenge recommends qualified contractors to homeowners looking to join in on the challenge. In order to be able to receive funds from the Challenge, homeowners must use a contractor, or contractors, that have been approved. The qualified contractors are involved in several fields including Insulation and Air sealing, Mechanical/ HVAC, Solar and Windows. Hiring Denver insulation companies is a wonderful way to save a significant amount of money on your home energy bills. Professionals in these industries are well equipped to help reduce waste and overspending.