Winter has arrived in the Lehigh Valley, welcoming us with heavy snow, ice and freezing wind chills.Taking proactive steps during cold weather conditions can help maximize energy savings and protect your home. Personal safety and comfort are most important when considering how to handle winter’s challenges.
Set a Schedule on the Thermostat
Programming a weekly schedule on the thermostat will reduce home energy costs associated with the electric bill. During winter, Energy Saver suggests setting the thermostat to 68 degrees Fahrenheit when you’re at home, and lowering the temperature a couple degrees while you’re asleep or when the house is unoccupied.
Smart thermostats offer Signature Homes by J.T. Maloney homeowners the ability to program thermostats remotely, and in addition to wireless scheduling, offer added features like energy efficiency audits and scheduling alerts. According to Energy Saver, a homeowner can save as much as 10% a year in heating and cooling costs by turning back thermostats 7 – 10 degrees Fahrenheit for eight hours a day. Though you can manually set your thermostat daily, automated thermostats that are programmable or “smart” help you achieve greater energy savings, especially when away from home.
Build with Energy Saving Features
One of the most noticeable advantages of owning a custom built home is lower energy bills. Custom built J.T. Maloney Signature Homes offer energy saving features that can include R-15 sidewall insulation, R-38 ceiling insulation, Tyvek® HomeWrap®, low-E glass vinyl windows and 90% high efficiency HVAC systems with 5 year parts and labor warranty. We understand the true value of a home, and are dedicated to customer satisfaction, quality craftsmanship and the unique needs of each custom home buyer.
Insulate and Ventilate
If you live in an older home, here are some tips to look out for. Drafts let cold air creep into the home. Check common spots like windows, doors, vents and pipes. If feeling cold air around door or window frames, apply weather stripping. Caulk cracks or holes around pipes to keep cold air out, and wrap pipes that feel warm to the touch with pre-slit tubular polyethylene pipe foam or fiberglass sleeves. These easy to install insulation items can be found at most hardware stores.
Attics require proper insulation and ventilation to help prevent ice dams. When snow and ice melts, then refreezes on a roof, ice dams occur. They weaken gutters, shingles and can cause roof damage. Check for heat transfer from rooms located below the attic, and insulate those areas of the attic floor where warm air is escaping. Check attic ventilation areas as well to be sure they are clear from debris. Ventilation allows cold air into the attic, while insulation seals heat in the living space of your home. They work hand in hand to help prevent heat from escaping through the roof, melting snow and ice and creating ice dams.
Now is the perfect time to start planning your J.T. Maloney Signature Home. Next winter you could be cozying up next to the fireplace in a new custom Lehigh Valley home.
