- Sealing Air Leaks and Adding Insulation
- Sealing Ductwork
- Improving Heating and Cooling Systems
- Upgrading Lighting and Appliances
- Bright Ideas Home Energy Upgrade
See where your house may be losing money. . .
A drafty home, rooms that are too hot or too cold, and high energy bills are all common issues for homeowners. Installing a new heating or air conditioning system, buying replacement windows, or adding more insulation may fix part of the problem. But the way to better results is through an integrated "whole-house" approach that looks at your house as a system.
Bright Ideas offers a comprehensive, whole-house approach to improving energy efficiency and comfort at home, while helping to protect the environment.
We can help you cost-effectively improve your home's energy efficiency. Rather than focusing on a single component, such as single-paned windows, an old air conditioning system, or leaky ductwork, Bright Ideas will assess how improvements to all of these components can work together to provide:
- fewer drafts
- consistent temperatures across rooms
- better ventilation and humidity control
- and
- lower utility bills
Sealing Air Leaks and Adding Insulation
Many air leaks in homes are fairly obvious, such as around windows, doors, and electrical outlets. But others, like those in attics, around chimneys, and through recessed lighting fixtures, are often the more significant sources of energy loss in a home. Sealing air leaks is critical to improving the overall efficiency of your home and will make your heating and cooling system perform better. Along with air sealing, we may recommend that you add insulation. Many older homes are not well-insulated, and some have no insulation at all. Some newer homes have not had insulation properly installed. This can be a particular problem in those that are custom built or that have cathedral ceilings. Properly installed insulation provides for more even temperatures throughout the house and can significantly reduce energy costs.
Sealing Ductwork
Many homes have leaky ductwork and poor air flow, resulting in stuffy and uncomfortable rooms - regardless of the thermostat setting. Bright Ideas may recommend sealing your home's ducts with mastic, metal tape or spray-on sealant, and balancing the duct system to optimize air flow to all rooms. Insulating ductwork in attics, crawlspaces, and some basements can also help to ensure that your home will be more comfortable.
Improving Heating and Cooling Systems
If your furnace or air conditioner is more than 10 years old, Bright Ideas may recommend that you replace it with an energy efficient unit. Installed correctly, these high-efficiency units can save up to 20 percent on heating and cooling costs. Remember, when it comes to heating and cooling equipment, bigger is not always better. A properly-sized unit will make your home more comfortable by providing more consistent temperatures and better humidity control.
Upgrading Lighting and Appliances
Energy used for lighting and appliances can account for half of your home's total utility bill. Bright Ideas will evaluate refrigerators, dishwashers, electronic equipment, light fixtures, compact fluorescent bulbs, pool pump and hot water heating system and make cost effective recommendations that will save you money. Once you've taken steps to increase your home's efficiency, you may also want to consider adding renewable energy systems, such as solar electric or solar hot water, to further reduce your utility bills.
The Bright Ideas Home Energy Upgrade will make your house more energy efficient and deliver the year-round comfort and quality that you expect in your home.
Save up to 40% on your energy bills while improving comfort and decreasing your home's carbon footprint