It’s no secret that energy costs are on the rise. The U.S. Energy Information Administration projects that U.S. homeowners will see increased energy costs this winter. They forecast price increases of 22 percent for natural gas, 28 percent for heating oil, and 26 percent for propane this winter compared to last winter. Increases in the cost of electric heating are …
Mold: Not Just a Warm Weather Problem
It’s easy for homeowners to assume that mold will not be a problem during colder weather, since it’s usually associated with the humidity and moisture that are more common in Kansas City during the summer months. However, mold can become quite an issue inside your home during the winter months if proper steps aren’t taken.
Did You Get Ice Dams With The Last Blizzard? Fix Them Before Next Winter
If ice dams are forming on your roof, this indicates that warm household air is probably leaking into your attic, or else ductwork is leaking air as it runs through the attic. The best way to deal with an ice dam on your roof – to keep resulting water leaks from ruining insulation and damaging the structure of your attic …
It’s Charming, But Is Your Older Home Energy Efficient Too?
Older homes may be charming, but they are often much less energy efficient than newer homes. The good news is that you don’t have to choose between charm and efficiency. Here are some ways to tell if your older home is energy efficient, and what to do if it’s not.
Sealing Household Air Leaks Can Put A Significant Dent In Your Energy Costs
When your costly conditioned air leaks out of your home, or the hot summer air (or cold winter air) seeps in, it can add substantially to your cooling and heating costs. Fortunately, sealing household air leaks is a project that typically doesn’t require a HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) professional. In fact, you probably can do it yourself, rather inexpensively, …
3 Attic Durability Strategies That Will Reduce Moisture Problems And Energy Loss
You may not spend any of your time in the attic, but you need to take steps to ensure attic durability if you want to prevent structural damage and keep heating and cooling costs down. Here are three strategies to reduce moisture problems and energy loss.
The Surprising Truth About Duct Sealing
Duct sealing prevents energy waste. But did you do duct sealing also may make your home safer? That’s because leaky ducts may draw carbon monoxide or other combustion gases into your living space. These gases are byproducts of gas-burning appliances, such as furnaces, and they are normally vented outside. When they invade your ducts through leaks, it’s called backdrafting.