New Windows?

With older homes, windows are often one of the largest sources of heat loss in winter due to their low insulating ability and high air leakage rates. Windows are also generally the major source of unwanted heat gain in the summer. As a result, windows are typically net energy losers, and can be responsible for 25 to 50 percent of the energy used to heat and cool homes. However, improved windows, combined with proper consideration of their placement and other details, can result in windows that provide a net energy gain. (NAHB Research Center) Replacing the windows in any home is an investment, however if you have the ability to do so, do it!

A leaky house is expensive.

Air infiltration can account for 30% (in some case more) of a home’s heating and cooling costs and contributes to issues with moisture, dust, and the entry of pollutants and insects. By reducing the amount of air that leaks in and out of your home, you will significantly cut annual heating and cooling costs, improve building durability, and create a healthier indoor environment. Check you leaks!

A New Year Retrofit

Start the year with an energy and water retrofit! You can find ways to save on energy and water bills by making changes in your daily consumption. For ways to use less energy with the same use, visit our website!
www.amgenergysolutions.com

Going Solar: Part 1

As this wave of energy efficiency runs thorough America, solar seems to be on the forefront of power availability. We want to share some information on why getting power from the sun many be the answer in some homes. Solar electric systems, which are also called photovoltaic, are reliable, pollution-free and use a free energy source-the sun. Photovoltaic systems take sunlight and directly converts it into electricity. They are able to collect and transfer energy any time the sun is shining, but more electricity is produced when the sunlight is more intense and strikes the PV modules directly. A PV system never runs out of fuel, never produces air pollution or noise, it won't increase U.S. oil imports, it offers security of increasing energy prices....and so much more. Its installation and practical application in your home, may be a bit trickier.

Government rebated programs #2

There are rebates out there, you can get info on them at any .gov site or from most local energy providers. The question is whether or not they are all that practical. Some are, but most of them aren't. If you are able to make a very large purchase of a solar water heater or new appliances, then I urge you to capitalize on this wonderful offer, you will save over time and be rewarded. However if you need simple small improvements to yield you a quicker savings, the rebates may not work as well for you. Please look into your local energy providers, they all offer different incentives, I hope there is something out there for you to benefit from!!

Government rebated programs

Be on the lookout: The government has rolled out many rebated programs for energy efficiency in your home. However, most of these new programs that offer rebates are high priced and will only produce a savings after a minimum of 8-10 years. If you were to calculate the total out of pocket cost to get these programs implemented in your home, you would find that the return on the investment is spread out over many years. The question is, if the average homeowner stays in their home for less than five years, how long will it take for you to yield the savings that you anticipated? Why is the government even offering rebates? Check out our blog next week for the answer. As we say “we will change the way your home uses energy!”

Replace standard incandescent bulbs with CFLs. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, CFL bulbs use about 75% less energy than standard incandescent bulbs and last up to 10 times longer. They save about $30 or more in electricity costs over each bulb's lifetime and produce about 75% less heat, so they're safer to operate and can cut your cooling costs. Check out our website for more information on how we can save you money by saving energy.
www.amgenergysolutions.com