Five Energy-Efficient Exterior Upgrades to Lower Your Utility Bills
Everyone wants to lower their utility bills. As energy costs continue to rise, finding ways to make your home more energy-efficient does just that and minimizes your environmental impact. By investing in energy-efficient exterior upgrades, you can significantly lower your energy consumption and save money. Here are five exterior improvements that boost energy efficiency, specifically tailored for Massachusetts homes.
1. Insulated Siding
How It Works: Insulated siding adds a layer of foam insulation between the siding and your home’s exterior wall, improving thermal resistance.
Benefits: This upgrade reduces heat loss during the winter and keeps your home cooler in the summer, leading to lower heating and cooling costs. Insulated siding also improves your home’s overall comfort by eliminating drafts and maintaining a more consistent indoor temperature.
Product Example: Vinyl siding with integrated foam insulation, such as CertainTeed’s CedarBoards™ Insulated Siding, provides excellent thermal performance and durability.
2. Energy-Efficient Windows
How It Works: Energy-efficient windows are designed with multiple panes of glass, low-emissivity (Low-E) coatings, and gas fills (such as argon or krypton) between panes to reduce heat transfer.
Benefits: These windows significantly reduce heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer, resulting in lower energy bills. They also enhance indoor comfort and reduce UV damage to furnishings.
Product Example: Andersen Windows’ 400 Series features Low-E glass and gas fills, offering superior insulation and energy efficiency.
3. Reflective Roofing Materials
How It Works: Reflective roofing materials, also known as cool roofs, are designed to reflect more sunlight and absorb less heat compared to standard roofing materials.
Benefits: Cool roofs help keep your home cooler during the summer months, reducing the need for air conditioning and lowering energy bills. They also extend the lifespan of your roof by reducing thermal expansion and contraction.
Product Example: GAF’s Timberline® Cool Series Shingles reflect sunlight and help reduce attic temperatures, leading to improved energy efficiency.
4. Properly Sealed and Insulated Doors
How It Works: Energy-efficient doors are designed with insulating cores and weatherstripping to prevent air leaks.
Benefits: Upgrading to insulated doors reduces drafts, enhances comfort, and lowers heating and cooling costs. Look for doors with ENERGY STAR® certification for the best performance.
Product Example: Therma-Tru’s fiberglass entry doors offer excellent insulation, durability, and energy efficiency.
5. Attic Insulation
How It Works: Adding insulation to your attic helps prevent heat loss in the winter and keeps your home cooler in the summer.
Benefits: Proper attic insulation can significantly reduce your heating and cooling costs by maintaining a consistent indoor temperature. It also reduces the strain on your HVAC system, potentially extending its lifespan.
Product Example: Owens Corning’s AttiCat® Expanding Blown-In Insulation System provides a quick and effective solution for insulating your attic.
Exterior Home Renovator Lynn, MA
Investing in energy-efficient exterior upgrades is a smart way to reduce your utility bills and improve your home’s overall comfort and value. These improvements can help you enjoy significant savings on your energy costs while contributing to sustainability (and don’t forget those tax credits!!)
If you’re ready to make your home more energy-efficient, contact Exterior Home Services today. Our team of experts can help you choose the best products and solutions for your Massachusetts home, ensuring you maximize your energy savings and enjoy a more comfortable living space.