Suburban Blog

Tested & Approved: The Importance of a Good Housekeeping Seal

     Here at Suburban Windows & Siding, all of our replacement windows carry the Good Housekeeping seal of approval. Since 1909, the experts at the Good Housekeeping Research Institute have been evaluating products to determine whether or not they perform as promised so that they can earn the Good Housekeeping Seal. In 1902 the Good Housekeeping Experiment Station began testing products and accepting advertising for those that met it's approval.
     The purpose and mission of the Institute was to serve the needs and interests of the homemakers and homes of the United States as no other institution of its kind ever had. The facility included a model kitchen, a domestic science laboratory, and test stations where the work was to be conducted under practical household conditions. Any product that withstood the investigation and experience of the Institute staff was eligible to be included in the newly developed list of "Tested and Approved" products to be published in the magazine. Twenty-one consumer products were listed in the issue and included various household appliances, such as a washing machine, refrigerator, gas range, and an electric iron.
     In 1941, Good Housekeeping magazine took a major step forward and decided to guarantee that if a product didn't perform as advertised in the magazine, legitimate complaints would be taken care of by replacement of the product or refund of the purchase price to the consumer. This change added to the recognition and merchandising value of the original Seal of Approval.

       For more information about the Seal of Approval, please contact us at suburbanwindows@gmail.com.

How to Save Energy This Summer: Locate Air Leaks in Your Home

     Did you know that the potential energy savings from reducing drafts in your home may range from 5-30% per year, and your home is generally much more comfortable afterward. First, check for indoor air leaks, such as gaps along the baseboard or edge of the flooring and at junctures of the walls and ceiling. Also look for gaps around pipes and wires, electrical outlets, foundation seals, and mail slots. Check to see if the caulking and weather stripping are applied properly, leaving no gaps or cracks, and are in good condition. Next, check to see if air can flow through these places:

• Electrical Outlets
• Switch Plates
• Window Frames
• Baseboards
• Weather stripping around doors
• Fireplace Dampers
• Attic hatches
• Wall or window-mounted air conditioners

     Inspect windows and doors for air leaks. See if you can rattle them, since movement means possible air leaks. If you can see daylight around a door or window frame, then the door or window leaks. You can usually seal these leaks by caulking or weather stripping them. Check the storm windows to see if they fit and are not broken. You may also wish to consider replacing your windows and doors with newer, high-performance, energy efficient ones such as the revolutionary Heat Mirror replacement window (click for more information).
If you are having difficulty locating leaks, you may want to conduct a basic building pressurization test:

1. First, close all exterior doors,windows, and fireplace flues.
2. Turn off all combustion appliances such as gas burning furnaces and water heaters.
3. Then turn on all exhaust fans (generally located in the kitchen and bathrooms) or use a large window fan to suck the air out of the rooms.

This test increases infiltration through cracks and leaks, making them easier to detect. You can use incense sticks or your damp hand to locate these leaks. IF you use incense sticks, moving air will cause the smoke to waver, and if you use your damp hand, any drafts will feel cool to your hand.

 

 

What is the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient on Replacement Windows ?

     The Solar Heat Gain Coefficient indicates how well the product blocks solar radiation from the sun. The lower the SHGC, the less solar heat it transmits. The ENERGY STAR program has established specific criteria for replacement windows and doors for three climate zones in the US. It is recommended that you contact the manufacturer to ensure that the product is ENERGY STAR certified and that you check the U-value and SHGC numbers. To be eligible for ENERGY STAR certification, products must be rated, certified, and labeled for both U-value and SHGC in accordance with the procedures of the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) at levels that meet the ENERGY STAR qualification criteria in one or more climate zones.

     Here at Suburban Windows and Siding we have an exclusive line on Heat Mirror Replacement Windows, which are currently the most advanced window on the market. Heat Mirror is a film-based technology where by a thin film coated to retard heat transfer is suspended between 2 pieces of glass and sealed into an integral glazing unit. Heat Mirror helps conserve fuel, save money and provide year round comfort in both commercial and residential buildings.To find out more information about the Heat Mirror technology, please click here. 

Seal Up That Drafty House And Save Energy

Burrrrrrrrrrrr, It looks like winter has arrived in the northeast.  I was hoping it was going to pass us by this year.  I 'm sure many of you have noticed over the past few days how cold your windows feel and how drafty your home is.  

More than any other time of year, you notice your home's air leaks in the winter. Most people call these air leaks "drafts." You may feel these drafts around windows and doors and think these leaks are your major source of wasted energy. In most homes, however, the most significant air leaks are hidden in the attic and basement. These are the leaks that significantly raise your energy bill and make your house uncomfortable.

But locating leaks can be difficult because they are often hidden under your insulation. In cold weather, warm air rises in your house, just like it does in a chimney. This air, which you have paid to heat, is just wasted as it rises up into your attic and sucks cold air in all around your home - around windows, doors, and through holes into the basement.
Common Household Air Leaks

* Behind Kneewalls
* Attic Hatch
* Wiring Holes
* Plumbing Vent
* Open Soffit (the box that hides the recessed lights)
* Recessed Light
* Furnace Flue or Duct Chaseway (the hollow box or wall feature that hides ducts)
* Basement Rim Joists (where the foundation meets the wood framing)
* Windows and Doors

Locating Basement Air Leaks

A common area of air leakage in the basement is along the top of the basement wall where cement or block comes in contact with the wood frame. These leaks can easily be fixed in portions of the basement that are unfinished. Since the top of the wall is above ground, outside air can be drawn in through cracks and gaps where the house framing sits on top of the foundation. This perimeter framing is called the rim (or band) joist. In the basement, the above floor joists end at the rim joist creating multiple cavities along the length of the wall, and many opportunities for leakage. The following DIY Guide by Energy Star is the best guide I have seen on sealing up the drafts in a home.  Even implementing a few of the improvements can make a big difference,

Download the DIY Guide PDF (2MB)

How to Conduct your own Home Energy Audit

     You can easily conduct a home energy audit yourself. With a simple but diligent walk-through, you can spot many problems in any type of house. When auditing your home, keep a checklist of areas you have inspected and problems you found. This list will help you prioritize your energy efficiency upgrades.

Locating Air Leaks: The potential energy savings from reducing drafts in a home may range from 5 to 30% per year, and the home is generally much more comfortable afterward.
1) Check to see if air is flowing through any of these places:
Electrical outlets, switch plates, window frames, baseboards, weather stripping around your doors, fireplace dampers, attic hatches, and mounted air conditioners.  2) Inspect replacement windows and doors for air leaks. See if you can rattle them, since movement means possible air leaks. If you can see daylight around a door or window frame, then the door or window leaks. You may want to consider newer, energy-efficient replacement windows and doors, such as Heat Mirror windows and Masonite doors.

Insulation: Heat loss through the ceiling and walls in your home could be very large if the insulation levels are less than the recommended minimum.
1) If the attic hatch is located above a conditioned space, check to see if it is at least as heavily insulated as the attic, is weather stripped, and closes tightly. Make sure the attic vents are not blocked by insulation.
2) If your basement is unheated, determine whether there is insulation under the living area flooring. In most areas of the country, an R-value of 25 is the recommended minimum level of insulation. Also make sure your water heater, hot water pipes, and furnace ducts should all be insulated. 

Heating/Cooling Equipment: Check to see if your furnace is more than 15 years old, if so you should consider replacing the system with a new energy-efficient unit. A newer furnace will greatly reduce your energy consumption. If your furnace isn't an older model then you should see if your filter needs to be replaced, which is recommended every 2 months. Finally insulate any ducts or pipes that travel through unheated spaces.

Lighting: Energy for lighting accounts for about 10% of your electric bill. Examine the wattage size of the light bulbs in your house. You may have 100-watt(or larger) bulbs where 60-75 watts would be more appropriate. You should also consider compact fluorescent lamps for areas where lights are on for hours at a time.

 

Home Improvements: Energy We Use vs. The Energy We Waste

     The debate over energy-consumption and how to preserve our resources has been an ongoing conversation in the 21st century. Regional climate differences impact your energy consumption greatly in terms of heating vs. cooling your home, and what type of energy-efficient technology you are using for your appliances, heating system, air conditioning, and insulation. So what exactly can you do in your home to help improve your energy efficiency? First take a look at how the average home's "energy dollar" is used according to the Department of Energy:

• 45 cents: Heating and Cooling your Home
• 34 cents: Lighting, Cooking, and other Appliances
• 13 cents: Water Heating
• 8 cents:   Refrigeration

Energy is wasted in your home due to a number of reasons:

1. Inadequate insulation throughout your home.
2. Older replacement windows that lose heat during the winter.
3. Inefficient heating/cooling systems and inefficient appliances.
4. When hot water is used instead of cold water for laundry.
5. If any faucets around the house are leaking.
6. If you don't have automatic thermostats and lighting controls

 

 

The 3 Types of Window and Siding Companies

      There are basically three types of companies for the replacement window, vinyl siding and specialty home improvement business. Depending on who you talk to will determine the cost of your project. You can get a quote on the exact same products from two different company types and the estimate will vary drastically!

Contractor #1:  This a company that is run by a tradesman who usually will subcontract from bigger contractors and do some jobs on the side. They might run an ad in the local classifieds. This poor guy has to estimate his jobs, run an office, and try to do the work as well. The problem is that to run a professional business there has to be a business infrastructure that can service and communicate with their customers. A bookkeeper and a sales person to estimate jobs as well as someone to keep up on new technology and product development. If the owner of the company gets sick or wants a vacation their customers have to wait. It's also hard to produce the jobs with limited help and many times they will jump back and forth between jobs to try and keep people happy, taking much longer to complete the job.

Contractor #2:  Is a professional Home Improvement Contractor who has experienced work crews and office staff as well as production and service people. This contractor is up on the best quality products and installation systems, he carries proper insurances, markets locally and is known in the community. This type of contractor will give you more value your money and the owner of the company will be involved in the estimating and supervision of the project. Your job will be completed in a professional and timely manor using quality materials at a reasonable price. You will not be required to sit through a long sales pitch that will end with high pressure sales tactics to try and get you to sign a contract that night. Instead you will be treated with respect, given information, references and your estimate in writing with absolutely NO pressure. I can't think of a better way to do business,can you? This is the type of company Suburban Windows & Siding operates.

Contractor #3:  Is the most expensive, this company is a sales and marketing company that sells Replacement Windows and Vinyl Siding. As a result, this company model does a large volume of business and has a huge overhead. Advertising budgets and sales commissions can exceed $50,000 a month. The primary business here is to generate leads for the sales force and sell as much work as possible, regardless of the ability to properly execute and service the jobs. Many of these companies come and go due to "burning out" and cultivating a poor reputation. You can easily spot these guys! They are the ones spending the most on expensive TV commercials, fancy mailers, big newspaper ads, and calling you on the phone. Telemarketing is a business within a business, and its a very sophisticated form of lead generation that costs huge money to sustain, but can return a large volume of prospects and jobs. The hope here is to catch you off guard, since you weren't shopping for Siding or Windows there is a better chance to get you to sign a contract that night, they will also insist that both husband and wife be present for the presentation for this purpose. This is the main goal of the sales and marketing contractor, so to avoid making a bad decision NEVER sign a contract the first sales call, instead evaluate and check out the company and get other bids. Yes I told you to get other bids and make an INFORMED decision before you buy, this way you will feel more comfortable with your choice and get the best VALUE for your money.

 

Replacement Windows and Drafts In Your Home

It's a lovely fall weekend in New England but we all know that it wont be long  before the cold winter weather will be a pone us. This is the time to look at the thermal envelope of your home and make it as energy efficient as possible.  HouseGuru will continue to post energy saving tips for your home and offer ways to help you conserve energy and save money.

The most important thing to be aware of now are the air leaks around your home.  You can start by looking at your windows and doors since these are two of the areas that can lose energy to air infiltration.  Remember the  the energy tax rebate program ends December 31st where you can recieve a $1500 dollar tax credit from the government for Energy Efficient Replacement Windows that qualify for the program. One of the most efficient windows on the market that meet and exceed the programs qualifications are Heat Mirror Windows.

More than any other time of year, you notice your home's air leaks in the winter. Most people call these air leaks "drafts." You may feel these drafts around windows and doors and think these leaks are your major source of wasted energy. In most homes, however, other significant air leaks are hidden in the attic and basement. These are leaks that also significantly raise your energy bill and make your house uncomfortable. But locating leaks can be difficult because they are often hidden under your insulation. In cold weather, warm air rises in your house, just like it does in a chimney. This air, which you have paid to heat, is just wasted as it rises up into your attic and sucks cold air in all around your home - around windows, doors, and through holes into the basement.

Common Household Air Leaks

* Behind Kneewalls
* Attic Hatch
* Wiring Holes
* Plumbing Vent
* Open Soffit (the box that hides the recessed lights)
* Recessed Light
* Furnace Flue or Duct Chaseway (the hollow box or wall feature that hides ducts)
* Basement Rim Joists (where the foundation meets the wood framing)
* Windows and Doors

Locating Basement Air Leaks

A common area of air leakage in the basement is along the top of the basement wall where cement or block comes in contact with the wood frame. These leaks can easily be fixed in portions of the basement that are unfinished. Since the top of the wall is above ground, outside air can be drawn in through cracks and gaps where the house framing sits on top of the foundation. This perimeter framing is called the rim (or band) joist. In the basement, the above floor joists end at the rim joist creating multiple cavities along the length of the wall, and many opportunities for leakage.

 

 

Home Improvements- How to Improve your Water-Heating Efficiency

     The average home uses 14% of its energy for heating water. Water heating is one of the most variable energy requirements among families. It its affected by: the number and ages of those who live in your home, the efficiency of your shower heads, and most importantly the water temperature used for washing clothes. Here at Suburban Windows & Siding we have put together a list of effective ways to improve your water heating efficiency.

• Wash your laundry in cold or lukewarm water! Each load of laundry washed in cold water saves enough energy to power a television for up to 34 hours!
• Set the water heater temperature to 120 degrees.  Lowering the temperature reduces stand-by losses, also reduces the chance of scalding from hot tap water, and finally this will help extend the life of your water heater.
• Increase your water heater's insulation. Installing an insulation jacket on a water heater can be an inexpensive and effective way of reducing energy loss.
  

• Remember this is the time to check your windows and doors for air-leaks and cracks which can account for 10- 25% of your winter heating bill, through heat- loss. Suburban Windows & Siding can help you with any of your home improvement questions and concerns. Also take advantage of the $1500 tax-rebate this year for your energy-efficient home improvements, such as our exclusive Heat Mirror window, which is the most effective replacement window available today.

Are You Juggling Your Energy Bills?

 I thought this  Video Clip was pretty cool and wanted to share it with our readers. It's an entertaining way to demonstrate how your household bills can get out of control. Did you know that the Average American uses 20 times the amount of oil/per year than any other citizen in the world. Take a walk around your house with our Energy Conservation Checklist (located below this article) and look for ways you can reduce next month's energy bill!  Subscribe to our HouseGuru blog for interesting and useful information on saving energy and living green. Even know we specialize in Replacement Windows and Vinyl Siding we are dedicated to helping homeowners save money and live more comfortably.  

 Enjoy the video and have a great day !

 Your friends at Suburban Windows & Siding