Save On Energy Costs with This Home Improvement

With the leaves falling and winter weather knocking on our doors, there is no better time to start preparing the house for what will probably be a very expensive winter if your house isn’t insulated.

I’ve been in the attics of thousands of homes in this area and I can tell you that 75 percent of them aren’t insulated the way they should be. Insulation acts as a barrier, helping to keep warm air inside the house by slowing the flow and stopping the heat from getting outside. The problem is that most homes, especially older ones, do not have enough insulation to keep up with our cold winters. In fact, many homes around here have barely enough insulation to withstand the cold months in Florida. 

So, how do you know if you have proper insulation? You’ll need to find out where you currently have (or don’t have) insulation, what type of insulation is installed, and what its “R-value” is. The R-value is the materials’ resistance to heat flow, so the higher the R-value, the greater the insulating properties. Once you have this information, you can determine how much additional insulation you need, which will be dependent on our Connecticut climate, your house size, and what kind of heating you have. This analysis can either be done by a qualified contractor or you can do it yourself if you’re comfortable working in the attic.

Once you determine what you need, there are two popular ways to get insulation into your home. A licensed contractor can either blow loose fiberglass under the floor in the attic or batts can be laid between the floor joists. There are pros and cons to each option and they depend on the size of the house, the clearance space, and what the attic is used for. I install insulation both ways and one is just as effective as the other - the best method is the one that works for your home.

The bottom line? The United States Environment Protection Agency says that with proper insulation, the average home in our area can save approximately 16 percent in total heating and cooling costs. For older homes, that number skyrockets to nearly 50 percent. What’s even better is that insulation almost always recoups its value when a house hits the real estate market.

So is it worth taking a look at insulation? If you like keeping more dollars in your wallet, I’d say yes. 

Bob O'Donnell is the owner of O'Donnell Bros, Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro”. All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O'Donnell Bros, Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only. 

Keep Winter Energy Bills in Check With These Tips

Outdoor lights, Christmas trees, and colder temperatures mean that December is usually one of the most expensive months in terms of utility bills. But with the holiday season behind us, January is a great time to take a closer look at how much energy you’re using and address the issues in your home that are causing high and unnecessary costs.

One resource that not enough people take advantage of is an energy audit by Energize Connecticut. For a fee, a home energy consultant will come to your home and conduct a full assessment, covering your furnace and water heater, air ducts, windows, doors, and more. Plus they can offer rebates for upgrades and repairs. I’m happy to see that home inspections have resumed and inspectors are abiding by all COVID-19 safety protocols. To apply, visit the EnergizeCT website and choose your service provider. 

If you’re not interested in an assessment but would still like to enjoy some serious home energy savings, here are the top five spots I always check for air leaks and heat loss. 

1. Windows. Believe it or not, hanging heavy fabric drapes can help you retain up to 25% of the heat in your home. This is especially true with large glass doors that aren’t being used in the winter months. Also, be sure to check for gaps. Wooden window frames get warped with age and can lead to serious air leakage. For cracks that are smaller than a quarter of an inch, a silicone caulk will work to plug up areas where heat is escaping. Also, if you feel air coming right through your single panes and the glass rattles with the wind, beef them up with some shrink film. This product can be found at any home supply store and can be cut to size. 

2. Doors. We don’t often open the windows in the winter, but doors are a different story. They let lots of air escape, but they can’t be sealed completely because we need to use them. I always suggest inspecting your door sweep to ensure it’s not damaged and replacing it if the bristles have come loose. A door snake or seal can also come in handy, which can be purchased at any big box store or even made at home with an old pair of stockings and some rice, beans, newspaper or another filling.

3. Attic. Those of you with an attic hatch are likely losing a ton of warm air through its frame. We all know that hot air rises, so seal up that hatch with heavy duty plastic, or build yourself an insulated box to fit over the entryway if you still need access to storage. 

4. Water Heater. Insulate your water heater’s tank and pipes with fiberglass. For the tank, fit a fiberglass blanket using foil tape, but be sure not to cover any valve or pipe openings. For the pipes, you can use fiberglass wrap or foam insulation. By adding a layer of insulation to your water heater, you’ll keep the warmth from escaping into the air and you’ll protect the machine from condensation in the warmer months. 

5. Insulation. Most homes simply do not have enough insulation in the walls and attic, which is probably the number one contributor to sky-high energy bills. Insulation acts as a barrier against heat flow, helping to keep the warm air inside the house by slowing the flow and stopping the heat from getting outside. The United States Environmental Protection Agency says that with proper insulation, the average home in our area can save approximately 16 to 50 percent in total heating and cooling costs depending on the age and condition of the home. Plus it’s one of the highest rated home improvements in terms of real estate resale value. 

Happy New Year Everyone! Here’s to a warm, healthy and safe 2021!

Bob O'Donnell is the owner of O'Donnell Bros, Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro”. All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O'Donnell Bros, Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Now Is The Time - Get Your Hot Water Heater Ready for Winter

With the weather finally turning colder, now is a great time to give your water heater the tune-up it needs to make sure it’s in good working order for the winter. This kind of maintenance might seem like a big task, but if you haven’t had issues in the past, a simple check-up and clean out can really help your appliance run more efficiently while lengthening its life. Here are some tips. 

As a water heater operates, it collects sediment that can cause decay if left in the tank over time. Don’t let this happen to yours. Drain your water heater at least twice a year to get rid of any buildup, which will prevent corrosion and increase the machine’s energy efficiency. I like to do this in the fall and early spring, before and after the busy season.

First, turn off the unit and give it plenty of time to cool down. Then, using a garden hose and pump, drain the water into a bucket. If the bucket becomes filled with brown, sediment-tainted water, continue to refill and drain your heater until the water looks clean again. When you’re in the clear, you can disconnect your hose and turn the unit back on.

Keep your water heater at a steady 120 degrees and lower it down if you’re planning on leaving the house for three days or more. For every 10 degrees you decrease the temperature, you’ll save five percent in energy costs.

Insulate the tank and pipes with fiberglass. For the tank, fit a fiberglass blanket using foil tape, but be sure not to cover any valve or pipe openings. For the pipes, you can use fiberglass wrap or foam insulation. By adding a layer of insulation to your water heater, you’ll keep the warmth from escaping into the air and you’ll protect the machine from condensation in the warmer months. 

If you have a valve that’s leaking, make sure that the fittings are nice and tight. If anything is loose, you might have to replace the valves or fittings. You can find the parts you’ll need at a local hardware store – just don’t forget to shut off the water before fitting them!

Remember, working with electric or gas appliances can be dangerous. If you’re not familiar with how your unit operates or if you’re not comfortable with this kind of work, contact a plumber for a routine maintenance check.  

The average lifecycle of a water heater is about eight to twelve years and they can cost anywhere from $300 for an electric tank system to well over $1,000 for a tankless energy-efficient natural gas appliance. If you’re in the market for a new machine, do your research and make sure you maintain it regularly to ensure that it will go the distance. 

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.