Posted by James Desmond on Tue, Apr 13, 2010 @ 02:50 PM
It's about that time of the year for your annual Spring Cleanup! Here at Suburban Windows & Siding we have put together a Spring Cleaning checklist for anyone looking for interior and exterior objectives:
INDOORS:
- Wash Your Windows! (replace if necessary)
- Remove Storm Windows and Install Screens.
- Test your Air Conditioning.
- Clean or Replace Air-Conditioning Filter.
- Turn off the Humidifier.
- Install drapery on any windows that retain heat.
OUTDOORS:
- Clean debris and checkup on your Central Air System (if necessary).
- Caulk or Fill any areas where insects can get through your windows or doors.
- Hook up the garden hose and check for leaks.
- Wash your Siding (From top to bottom).
- Clean Gutters and Downspouts (Check for leaks).
- Install your window air conditioning units.
- Check your roof for any leaks or damage.
- Test your outdoor lighting, replace bulbs if necessary.
Posted by James Desmond on Thu, Feb 25, 2010 @ 11:30 AM
In 1979, Southwall Technology was founded in Palo Alto, California and participated in a 5 year government-funded research program at M.I.T to improve energy efficiency in buildings. The result was the Heat Mirror, a clear polyester film with a 3-layer coating that transmits light but reflects long-wave infrared energy. Heat Mirror technology was the first innovation in the glass industry in over 100 years. In 1991, Window & Door magazine awarded Southwall the "Diamond Crystal Industry Achievement Award" for its contributions to energy conservation.
The Heat Mirror technology will lower your energy costs dramatically more than any other replacement window on the market. The secret to its success is the dual combination of heat-reflecting film and gas-filled air in the window that reduces heat-loss in the winter 5 times better than traditional double-pane windows. Heat Mirror will continue to save money on your energy bill in the summer by repelling radiant heat, therefore leaving your air conditioner significantly more effective. Heat Mirror doesn't stop there either, reducing sound transmission it also blocks 99% of UV radiation from the sun which prevents fading on your furniture, carpet, and drapes.
When Popular Science Magazine chose the 100 Greatest Inventions as a millennium-year special, only 5 appliances made the list. Along with the air conditioner, stove, washer, and refrigerator, they listed Heat Mirror Replacement Windows as "One of the more dramatic advances."
For more information about Heat Mirror technology please CLICK HERE.
Posted by Rick Luppino on Thu, Dec 10, 2009 @ 07:47 AM
Replacement Windows and sealing up your home from air leeks are two of the most important energy efficient improvements you can do to your home according to Bill Nye the science guy who was on CNN the other night. I was watching CNN and Bill Nye was debating the validity of Global warming and what we should be doing to help save our planet. There has been allot of debate surrounding the science of Global warming lately but the evidence is clear, our planet is warming at an alarming rate. I also saw Al Gore rebut Sara Palin on the subject as she seems to think it's all just a big scare tactic that will hurt the US financially in the long run. Bill Nye made it clear several times that insulating your home, sealing up air leeks and replacing your windows made a significant difference in not only saving you money and reducing your energy bills but also greatly reducing the level of co2 and the effects of Global warming. President Obama also continues to talk about retrofitting homes across America to make them more energy efficient and sites Replacement Windows as one of the best improvements you can make along with increasing insulation. This is why the government has been giving homeowners a $1500 energy tax credit on these type of improvements.
Bill Nye, Al Gore, President Obama, all pretty smart guys. Maybe we should listen to them. The evidence suggests that the last decade is ending up to be the warmest on record since they started keeping climate records in the 1800s. Even though the investment now may be difficult given the state of the economy, our future economy will be much brighter if we as a country take the lead and develop the solutions to make the world a cleaner more energy efficient place and eliminate the dependency on foreign oil. At Suburban Windows and Siding we are committed to doing our part by providing our Heat Mirror Replacement Windows at the lowest price available to the consumer.
Posted by Rick Luppino on Mon, Nov 30, 2009 @ 03:04 PM
Have you noticed that one of the rooms in your house is always colder than the others? Even if your thermostat says it's 75 degrees in that room, there is still a noticeable difference. Chances are that you need to look into replacing your older drafty-windows with new and improved energy efficient windows.
For the time being, setup plastic wrap on your windows to prevent having to wear your winter jacket indoors. Setting up plastic wrap on your windows is a cheap and temporary solution to your problem, the down-side is the appearance of your windows. A permanent solution would be replacing your windows before the winter sets in, but what do replacement windows really cost?
Typically replacement windows start at around $200-250 per window, but these windows will not guarantee the need for plastic wrap next winter! The next level of replacement windows, ranges from around $250-$350, but still may not keep your home insulated when the weather gets really bad (especially in the Northeast). The absolute, most advanced replacement window that every home should have is the Heat Mirror Replacement Window. These windows can range from around $400- $1500 depending on where you find them, a major difference in price because of their advanced technology and exclusivity.
*To find out more information about Heat Mirror windows at Suburban Windows and Siding, please click here.
Posted by James Desmond on Fri, Nov 20, 2009 @ 11:12 AM
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.
Posted by James Desmond on Thu, Nov 12, 2009 @ 12:49 PM
When Popular Science Magazine hosted the 100 Greatest Inventions of the Millennium, only 5 household appliances made the list. The air conditioner, the stove, the washer, and the refrigerator,"One of the more dramatic advances" was the Heat Mirror Replacement Window. The Heat Mirror window is so important because it actually conserves energy in the summer by reflecting radiant heat energy from your home and in the winter it retains the radiant heat! The Heat Mirror window is a sophisticated climate-controlling appliance which achieves 10 times the energy performance of single-pane windows, and 5 times that of dual-pane windows. The Heat Mirror window doesn't stop there too, it actually blocks over 99% of UV radiation from the sun which can help prevent fading of your carpets, furniture, and curtains. The Heat Mirror window is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which means that it's eligible for a tax rebate up to $1500. To find out more information on the exclusive Heat Mirror technology here in Connecticut, please click here.
Posted by James Desmond on Sun, Nov 08, 2009 @ 01:19 PM
Hello my fellow Home owners,
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.
Posted by James Desmond on Thu, Nov 05, 2009 @ 02:07 PM
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.
Posted by James Desmond on Mon, Nov 02, 2009 @ 02:28 PM
Today's shower head fixtures are relatively Eco-friendly. If your shower head was made after 1992 then its government mandated to pump a maximum of 2.5 gallons of water/per minute. However if your shower head is looking a bit outdated, check out the new energy efficient "low flow' models that will pump around 1.5 gallons of water/per minute which can save your family up to $100 annually. Here at Suburban, we have made a list of features to look for next time you upgrade:
- The Water Pressure! Most new models are Eco-friendly, which means that they range in water usage between 1.5 to 2.0 gallons/per minute.
- The Spray. Most shower heads have at least 2-3 settings: Aerated, Mist, Needle Point and Pulsating. A shower head with multiple body sprays sounds appealing to most, but be careful because the water usage is extremely higher.
- The Finish. Choose a shower head with PVD (physical vapor deposition) because this will reduce your corrosion and tarnishing over time.
- The Price. Most Eco-friendly shower heads range in price from $35- $70. However, a hand held shower head will cost you around $100.
Posted by James Desmond on Thu, Oct 29, 2009 @ 02:26 PM
Autumn is the best time to start any project that will prepare your home for the cold winter months ahead of us. Here at Suburban, we have put together a few cost-effective ways to prepare your home for the cold weather by increasing your heating efficiency:
- Add humidifiers to the living areas in your home where you spend most of your time. Adding a humidifier will make the air in your room feel warmer in the winter.
- Close off any unused parts of your house that do not need heat ventilation.
- Check the weather stripping around your windows and doors. The biggest loss of heat in your home will result from any window or door that has air leaking through it. Take a look at the advantages of Heat Mirror windows, they are the most advanced and energy efficient replacement window available.
- Consider replacing your thermostat with a programmable thermostat that will reduce your energy bill tremendously over the winter.
- Check to see if your attic and/or basement has insulation. If not, consider doing this because it will greatly reduce your energy efficiency.