Creating More Energy Efficient Homes & Porches
Our team answers homeowner questions every weekend on WCCO 830 AM from 9:00 am-10:00 am. Have your most pressing home improvement quandaries addressed by calling or texting 651-461-9226. Here’s the must-know information our COO, Andy Lindus, shared on 12.18.21.
Homeowners looking to add more living space to their home often opt to have a three-season or four-season porch built. Although a four-season porch may cost more to build initially, it can often be more cost effective than converting a three-season porch to a four-season porch. That’s because costs can quickly add up for insulating the floor and attic space. Costs can jump even higher if new windows must be installed. Homeowners should steer clear of builder grade windows and opt for windows that have high levels of energy efficiency.
In the winter months, homeowners often question whether a blanket of snow on their roof is good or bad. The question becomes more frequent when other homes in a neighborhood do not have snow on their roof. Homes that have all of the snow melted off are often experiencing heat loss. While the walls in a home may feel drafty, more often than not, the actual culprit is a home’s attic and rim. If air can move between the top plate and the rim, drafts are likely to be present. This is due to the stack effect. As it gets cooler out, air from the attic is pulled down a home’s walls. The stack effect can create condensation and electrical issues.
Learn More About Home Performance Testing:
To tell where a home is using and losing energy, contractors are often able to offer a free heat map analysis. This includes the use of diagnostic tools such as infrared imaging, blower doors, smoke sticks, borescopes. From there, a contractor can create a custom plan to create a more comfortable and energy efficient home.
