There are so many moving parts in your home, it’s often difficult to keep up with the potential energy efficiency benefits. While there’s plenty of truthful information out there about making your home more energy efficient, there’s an equal amount of false claims. As the owner of the home, you want the very best for your house and for your family. But in an age where anyone can write anything on the internet, what should you believe? What are the facts opposed to the myths?
Regardless of your political stance, we can almost guarantee that you want your home to be as energy-efficient as possible. Whether that be to save some serious money or to reduce your carbon footprint, there’s really no debate against improving home’s efficiency.
MYTH: New Windows Cost More Than the $ You’ll Save
This is one of the biggest myths out there, and it’s often just an excuse to delay a much-needed home improvement project. From homeowner to homeowner, replacing old, outdated windows is very much a good thing. Sure, as a window company we want to sell more windows, but not to people who don’t truly need them.
When new windows replace broken, worn windows, you’ll immediately begin to notice the benefits. Whether that be a better-regulated interior temperature, lower monthly utility bills, or a wide range of other perks, the upside to the replacement is obvious. From an insulation standpoint, older windows typically have cracks, warping or other types of damage that allow air to flow in and out of your home. This greatly increases your energy bill and can make for an uncomfortable home. On top of that, newer windows provide excellent protection from the sun’s harmful UV rays. In Florida, that’s a big deal. Over time, the sun will fade your walls and furniture, and even pose a threat to your family. Most importantly, your heating and cooling systems won’t have to work over time.
MYTH: Too Much Insulation Can Cause Problems
Not only is this one false, it’s completely ridiculous. Contrary to some crazy rumors out there, the interior of your home will still contain healthy amounts of oxygen for you to breathe. Insulation is an excellent way to improve your home’s energy efficiency, improve wanted airflow, and keep the outdoors outside where it belongs. When you have an open-air home, you’re inviting insects, bacteria and moisture inside your walls, and that’s never desirable.
MYTH: Leaving Fans On Cools the Home
This is probably the most common myth, and it’s one we can sort of understand. People turn their fans on before they leave their house in hopes they’ll cool the home without having to run the AC. Unfortunately, it just doesn’t work that way. Fans only redistribute air around the room, they don’t change the internal temperature of your home one bit. Sure, sitting on the couch with your fan running will definitely provide a nice breeze, but it’s completely unnecessary if you’re not home. Leaving your fan on while you’re away is an easy way to decrease energy efficiency.
There are countless myths swirling around when it comes to your home’s energy efficiency, and the ones we identified are a few of our favorites. Luckily, there are some tried and true methods to improving efficiency that involve no guessing game whatsoever. The value associated with a window replacement is clear and factual. If you have any questions about the state of your windows or your home’s energy efficiency, give American Window Products a call.