Indianapolis Roofing Saving Tips

Indianapolis Roof Money Saving Tips and Tricks

Flue Sealers

Having problems with your flue or Indianapolis roof?Even brand-new dampers may not close tightly. Dampers can become warped after the first hot fire. They may even be installed incorrectly to begin with. There are products commercially available to temporarily seal off the flue and stop air from escaping up the chimney. One product is an inflatable stopper that you insert into the flue. Most models are made of heavy plastic with an attached tube for inflating the device. The tube hangs down into the fireplace to remind you that the stopper is there. The flue must be totally cool before installing the stopper. Most manufacturers recommend cleaning the flue before inserting the stopper to ensure a tight and effective seal. This also minimizes the amount of soot that will fall out of the flue when you remove the stopper. Depending on how often you use them and your climate, they may pay for themselves within a few years. A less expensive solution is to use an old foam rubber seat cushion or pillow: place it in a heavy plastic bag, and insert this into the flue. Attach a long red tail to it to remind you that it is there.

Roof Energy Saving Tips

Free and Low Cost Recommendations

Indianapolis Windows

• Install high efficiency Indianapolis windows, which are 50% more efficient than standard windows. Consider replacing single-pane windows with triple-pane windows or at least double-pane that are gas-filled with high performance glass (e.g., low emissivity or "low-e" glass). ENERGY STAR qualified windows may help reduce your heating and cooling costs by up to 30%. The windows must be sized and installed properly

Replace Light Bulbs

• Replace standard incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) and save 75% off lighting costs.

Unplug Electronics

• Unplug electronics, battery chargers and other equipment when not in use. Taken together, these small items can use as much power as your refrigerator.

Save Water

• Installing faucet aerators and low-flow shower heads will cut water heating costs by 50% and save up to $300 per year. It will also cut water use by up to 50%. As much as 19% of California electricity is used to pump, transport and treat water.

Adjust Your Thermostat

• Setting your air conditioner 5° higher will save up to 20% on cooling costs.

Buy Energy Efficient Appliances

• Always buy ENERGY STAR qualified appliances and equipment - they're up to 40% more efficient. Find rebates and incentives in your area using our rebate finder.

Adjust Your Water Heater

• Turn your water heater down to 110° or the "Normal" setting when home, and to the lowest setting when away. Water heating accounts for about 13% of home energy costs.

Keep Cool With Ceiling Fans

• Reduce air conditioning costs by using fans, keeping windows and doors shut and closing shades during the day. Most ceiling fans use less energy than a light bulb.  Turn off fans when you are not at home.

Be Smart About Lighting

• Turn off unnecessary lighting and use task or desktop lamps with CFLs instead of overhead lights.

Power Down Your Computer

• Enable "power management" on all computers and make sure to turn them off at night. A laptop computer uses up to 90% less energy than bigger desktop models.

Wash Clothes in Cold Water

• When possible, wash clothes in cold water. About 90% of the energy used in a clothes washer goes to water heating.

Load Up Your Dishwasher

• Run your dishwasher and clothes washer only when fully loaded. Fewer loads reduce energy and water use.

Maintain Your Clothes Dryer

• Make sure your dryer's outside vent is clear and clean the lint filter after every load. When shopping for a new dryer look for one with a moisture sensor that automatically shuts off when clothes are dry.

Find and Seal Leaks

• Sealing cracks, gaps, leaks and adding insulation can save up to 20% on home heating and cooling costs.
• Test for air leaks by holding a lit incense stick next to windows, doors, electrical boxes, plumbing fixtures, electrical outlets, ceiling fixtures, attic hatches and other locations where there is a possible air path to the outside. If the smoke stream travels horizontally, you have located an air leak that may need caulking, sealing or weather stripping.

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Good Investment Recommendations

Programmable Thermostat

• Install an ENERGY STAR qualified programmable thermostat – It can save up to $100 per year in coastal areas and over $150 inland and pays for itself in less than 12 months. Make sure to install it away from natural cool and hot spots.

Seal Your Ducts

• Have your heating and cooling ducts professionally sealed to save up to $120 in coastal areas and up to $190 inland per year.

Seal Your Home

• Seal your home's envelope – walls, floor, ceiling and roof – to save up to 10% on your annual energy bill:
  • Add weather stripping around windows and doors to reduce drafts.
  • Use caulking to seal around ducts, plumbing and any other openings in walls, floors and ceilings to reduce air leakage. Begin in the attic, a common place for warm air to escape.
  • Seal larger gaps that cannot be covered with caulk or with expanding foam.

Insulate, Insulate, Insulate

• After air sealing, determine the current level of insulation. In the attic, measure the depth of existing insulation using a ruler. If there is less than R-22 (7 inches of fiber glass or rock wool or 6 inches of cellulose) you could probably benefit by adding more. Most U.S. homes should have between R-22 and R-49 insulation in the attic. Insulating ceilings, walls, attics, floors, crawl spaces and basements to recommended standards can reduce heating and cooling costs by 5% to 25%.

Upgrade Your Heating System

• Replace heating equipment more than 15 years old with new ENERGY STAR qualified models. Equipment must be sized and installed properly.
  • Old furnaces cost more to operate per year than new, ENERGY STAR qualified models that are 15% more efficient than standard models.
  • An ENERGY STAR qualified electric heat pump is 20% more efficient and can save you about $130 annually.
  • An ENERGY STAR qualified boiler uses features like electric ignition and new combustion technologies that extract more heat from the same amount of fuel, to be 10% more efficient than a new, standard model.

Maintain Your Cooling System

• Have your air conditioning unit serviced to cut 15% of cooling costs.

Seasonal Top Ten Energy Saving Tips

Our seasonal top ten home energy-saving tips are listed below. On the left are links to our complete collection of energy-saving tips. Click on any of these for more helpful tips on saving energy in your home.

Summer Top Ten Energy Saving Tips

1. A new, high efficiency, 13 SEER air conditioner uses about half the energy of a 15-year-old air conditioner. If your air conditioner is 10 to 15 years old or older or needs substantial repairs, consider replacing it with a new, high efficiency system.

2. During peak cooling hours, solar heat coming through un-shaded windows can account for one-third of the load on your air conditioner. Close the drapes on the sunny side of your home while you are there, or close all window coverings if you are leaving for the day.

3. Install the proper amount of insulation in exterior walls, roofs and ceilings. If you currently have no insulation in one of these areas, installing insulation will cut your energy bills dramatically.

4. Cool air ducts in a 120 degree Fahrenheit attic in the summertime need to be fully buried under 6 inches of insulation. Otherwise, heat absorbed by exposed attic ducts can add 20 to 40 percent to your bills.

5. Turn air conditioners to the highest comfortable setting. We recommend 76 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit when you're home and 80 degrees while you are away. Adjusting your thermostat up a few degrees will have a significant impact on your cooling bill.

6. Clean or replace your air conditioning filter monthly, or as needed.

7. Turn off unnecessary lights and use energy-efficient fluorescent light bulbs that give off less heat. Compact fluorescent light bulbs use about 75 percent less energy than standard bulbs and last up to 10 times longer.

8. Humidity is a significant load on an air conditioner. While it’s tempting to give your air conditioner a rest on cool nights, watch the weather forecast before you decide to open the windows at night. If tomorrow is going to be hot again, keep the air conditioning on and the home closed through the night to keep the humidity out of the house.

9. If you are purchasing a new air conditioner, consider buying a heat pump instead and adding it to your electric, gas or oil furnace to take advantage of a “dual fuel” heating system. The electric heat pump will not only serve as your new energy efficient air conditioner but it will also heat your home for much less than your existing furnace next winter.

10. A new ENERGY STAR®* refrigerator uses approximately one-third less energy than a 15 year-old model. Refrain from leaving your old refrigerator plugged in as a back-up.

*ENERGY STAR® is owned by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which is not affiliated with American WeatherTechs LLC.

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