Energy efficiency is something on everyone’s mind.
It’s beneficial to the environment as well as the electricity bill, but what gets saved in the long run has to be spent up front in costs. The parts are one thing, but installation isn’t a weekend chore. Are the benefits of getting green energy alternatives worth considering for the cost associated?
Home and Business
Different places have different energy requirements. The differences between a single family home’s energy consumption and a local single-lot business are massive. However, businesses can write those costs off as necessary utilities to operate. It’s not so with homes, even if you have a home office.
Solar panels are best for supplementing residential energy bills and usage. A single roof can sport several high-yield panels that can reduce an energy bill down from the high $100s to the low dozens.
Keeping Cool
When it gets hot, everyone can feel it. Hot spots can occur throughout homes with poor internal circulation or poorly chosen insulation. The type of insulation that gets installed can determine whether a building is easily habitable or requires refrigerated cooling running just to stay at a stable 75F.
Check what insulation you have and consider alternatives. Newer innovations in recycling have led to the new green effort of Cellulose Insulation, made from reconstituted parts of discarded clothes and paper products. It’s extra green because it doesn’t create excess waste and stays utile for many, many years, keeping heat out and dampening noise between rooms.
Overhead Costs
Most problems with energy efficiency can be traced to the roof. When considering heating, this is where hot air leaks out, and in relation to cooling it’s where the cold air can be kept cold longer. A good roof keeps energy costs down.
Energy efficiency is available in all the major fundamental types of roofing. Metal roofs are arguably the most efficient, as they last the longest and are the most resistant to weathering. They’re also fireproof. Tiles and asphalt shingle roofs have their own advantages but only in cost. All of their advancements are only done to keep up with the scaling efficiency of metal roofs.
The most important part of the roof is actually where and how it opens up. Ventilation is key in circulating air throughout the house. It keeps the bad air out and keeps the good air flowing. Powered and unpowered vents can keep the roof over your head worth living under.
Simple Solutions
Sometimes the most persistent problems we have can be answered with simple fixes. A new paint job with brighter colors to reflect away more light can easily reduce the internal temperature of a building by a few degrees, and that’s a change that can be felt. Changing flooring can also keep places cool or mildly warm to the touch while still maintaining a sense of style and identity.
For expert contractors, all jobs are simple. To get properly energy efficient, consider getting a quote from a general contractor in your area that knows what buildings should have to stay comfortable indoors all year long.
You want someone familiar with the area, climate and geography, for starters. Plus, you need a licensed professional with years of experience who’s known for top-notch work.
Finding the right contactor can be challenging, and many people don’t do the necessary homework before hiring a contractor. To make sure you find a five-star general contractor in Ventura California, you should know these ten things: