Month: October 2020

Picture this: your energy bill has come in the mail and it has left your mouth hanging open. You cannot believe how much money you are spending just to heat and cool your home. This isn’t such a far-fetched scenario, as many homeowners struggle with the same situation.

 

So how can you save money on your energy bills? One of these tricks is simple — and it may surprise you.

 

The answer is new replacement windows that are energy-efficient. Almost 30% of a home’s heating energy is lost through the windows. Correcting this issue can help you save money on your energy bills.

 

Not All Windows are Created Equal

Nobody likes to be lied to, especially when it comes home installations. However, the truth is that not all windows are the same, so not all windows are going to provide you with the same benefits. Your windows can negatively impact other areas of your home if they’re not rated as energy-efficient.

 

Generally speaking, homebuilders want to maximize their profit. This means they may install cheap windows because they want to buy low and sell high. This may be a concern even if your home is a new build. But keep in mind that older homes can also have problems if their windows are original. This is because older homes generally do not have sun control systems or energy efficient window options because there were none available at that time.

 

So how do you know if your windows are working properly? It is important to ask yourself a few basic questions to get started. Are your windows difficult to open or close? Do they often get foggy? Have you noticed any drafts coming from the windows? If you answered yes to any of these questions, it may be time to consider replacement windows as you could be losing money due to these issues.

 

New Windows Are Cost-Effective

While no company can make claims as to exactly how much you can save if you invest in new windows, the proof is in the pudding. Contacting professional installers can help you to determine which window options are best for you and your needs. This may include custom windows. Regardless, your professional window and door installation will leave you will better looking and better operating windows for your home.

 

Homeowners can choose many things to do to increase the energy efficiency of their home, as well as save a lot of money. What you choose to do with your home is completely up to you. However, one of the simplest and most beneficial changes you can make is getting replacement windows. Invest in windows that were designed with energy efficiency in mind and you will not be disappointed.

By 2019, the deck and patio construction industry had reached a revenue of $783 million dollars, a 3% increase over the past five years. This number is only projected to grow larger, as people begin to look for ways to make their living spaces more comfortable and enjoyable. Especially since more people are opting to stay at home than ever before.

 

This uptick in home improvement, spurred on by social distancing and stay at home mandates, can actually work in your favor by giving you an excuse to finally get started on all those projects you might have been putting on the back burner. For instance, while heading to a park for some relaxation and fresh air might be off the table, fixing up your patio to be just as enjoyable can be your next goal. For this purpose, retractable patio awnings can come in handy, as they allow you to control the sun and shade received on your deck. While some days you might enjoy sitting out in the sun, on exceptionally hot or rainy days, you’ll be thankful for the cover.

 

If your current patio doesn’t feature a retractable patio awning, or is lacking in any covering at all, here are four benefits of installing one that you should consider.

 

1. Lowering Energy Costs

 

Staying at home can drive up energy costs, especially if the sun shines directly through your patio doors. While thick curtains can help mitigate this, they also block your view and make your home dark, forcing you to turn on additional lights to see. This can backfire and end up lowering the cost of energy saved with curtains. However, with retractable patio awnings or even stationary awnings, you can help reduce the heat index around your home and prevent the sun from being able to heat up the inside of your home as easily. This can help save you money when it comes to cooling your home, but by eliminating thick curtains or blinds, you can also save on lighting costs during the day.

 

2. Increasing Property Value

 

Adding a retractable patio awning can also help boost the value of your home. While you might not be thinking of selling in the near future, this is an investment that can help increase value and appeal should you ever decide to move in the future. This could mean that if you do end up selling you could receive higher bids, as well as a faster and easier sale. With attractive features like this, more homebuyers will be interested in getting their hands on the property.

 

3. Providing Wintertime Versatility

 

Just as how a retractable patio awning can help keep the sun out during the summer, it can also be pulled in to let the sun in during the winter. And, if the weather decides to act up and you have a freak heatwave during the winter, you can quickly reopen the awning to bring the shade back. This type of versatility is great for helping to combat energy costs no matter what the seasons bring.

4. Saving Patio Furniture

 

Patio furniture can be an expensive investment, but without the right protection, they can easily become bleached in the sun, ruined by rain, or damaged by snow. Awnings can help prevent this but allowing you to more readily protect your outdoor furniture, without the need to bring it inside every time the weather takes a turn. Similarly, this can allow you to leave your furniture out longer every year, as you’ll be able to prevent snow and sleet from reaching it.

 

Sun control systems, like awnings, are quickly becoming more popular due to their ability to make patios more comfortable, as well as the interior of your home. If you’re looking for a way to get more out of your outdoor living spaces, consider investing in a retractable awning and taking control of the comfort in your backyard.