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Many Orlando homeowners see home improvement projects as an investment. While some projects deliver returns such as increased security and comfort, others increase the overall ambiance and décor of the room and create additional pace. Installing new windows in a home will not only do all of the above mentioned items, but it will also greatly reduce the size of the monthly electric bill. Many homeowners ponder that with all these savings, is it possible that eventually new windows will pay for themselves? In order to fully realize the answer to this inquiry, it is important for individuals to examine the overall cost of keeping the old windows versus installing new windows.

Deteriorating, worn and old windows are seen as a large heat loss source, translating into higher cooling and heating costs for the home. Wood sashes, for example, often result in drafts and gaps over time because the wood begins to shrink and swell along with the seasonal changes in the current temperature.

Aside from the infiltration occurring due to gaps in some of the older window sashes and frames, older window styles often cause higher levels of heat radiation. During the summer months, heat from the sun will cause heat to begin radiating inside the home, making the cooling system in the home have to work much harder to keep the home cool. Throughout the winter months, the heat in the home will radiate to the home’s exterior, causing the furnace to work that much harder to keep the home warm. In both instances, the heating or cooling systems will need to be continually run, causing homeowners to experience rather large electric bills. Both of these conditions can be stopped if newer windows are used to get rid of radiation.

When the overall condition of the windows has deteriorated and is no longer an effective barrier against radiation and infiltration, it is time to invest in new windows. Today, most new windows can save homeowners up to 50 percent of their electricity bills. While it may cost money to replace old windows with new ones, the savings alone in the electricity bill can mean in just a little bit of time, the windows will have paid for themselves.

Unless the homeowner is well verse in window installation, it is always best to spend some extra money and have a professional come in and install new windows. Do not simply purchase the cheapest windows available because often they will not result in a large pay off with the monthly electric bill. A professional window installation company has the latest windows that increase energy efficiency and are made of top quality materials and come with warranties as well. The professional window installation company will ensure that windows are properly installed and no heat is escaping or coming into the home. Once the windows are properly installed, homeowners can enjoy keeping their home cool in the summer months and warm in the winter months without having to worry about the electricity bill rising.

When the summer hits, most homes are subject to high utility bills from running their air conditioner all day. As natural gas prices continue to rise, homeowners will likely find themselves spending more money to cool their homes in the summer months. For many households, the utility bills tend to consume quite a large portion of the monthly household budget. However, it is quite possible to offset to continue increase in the price by insulating your home. According to the Energy Star division of the Environmental Protection Agency, having proper insulation in basements and/or attics can save a household approximately 20 percent on all their air conditioning and heating bills. Furthermore, it can save around ten percent of all monthly utility bills. Insulating a home will keep the home cool throughout the summer months, which is really important for homes in southern climates, like Florida. The insulation prevents heat from moving through the walls of the home by restricting air flow. With insulation, less energy is required to heat and cool a home. Because homeowners pay for monthly energy consumption, if less energy is used, the less they consume and therefore the less they pay.

Insulation was not always a popular idea. In fact, a number of postwar homes were built with little, if any insulation. However, today home experts are recommending homes be built with more insulation because of significant savings. The temperature of a home, with proper insulation, does not fluctuate, and therefore it is a lot easier for homeowners to maintain a temperature that is comfortable. What is more is that with increased temperature stability, there is less wear and tear on the air conditioning system in the summer. This means that the air conditioning system will last a lot longer and operating costs will be significantly lower.

Stated in the simplest of terms – insulation slows down the movement of heat in the home. Heat is always flowing in a direction from warm to cool surfaces. When temperatures rise, the heat flows into the house. The more heat that flows into the home, the hotter it gets and the longer the homeowner needs to run the air conditioner. When insulation is added to a home, it prevents the heat from flowing into the home, keeping the home much cooler. On a side note, in the winter months, the insulation will prevent the heat in the house from leaving, keeping the home warm.

It is no lie that electricity costs are currently going through the roof. The summer in Florida can be quite brutal, and it is imperative to keep the home cool. However, without proper insulation, many homeowners will find themselves running their air conditioner all day, every day, resulting in extremely high utility bills. Insulation prevents heat flows from outdoors from getting into the inside of the home, maintaining comfort. Insulating your home for the summer will not only keep the family much cooler, it will also save a lot of money in the long run.

February 1 (Longwood branch)
Blood Drive
Collis Roofing Longwood office
Tues. 2-1 12pm – 5pm

Feb. 18-20 2011 (Longwood branch)
Home Show
Orlando Convention Center
9400 Universal Blvd.
Orlando 32819
Fri. 2-18 10am – 9pm
Sat. 2-19 10am – 9pm
Sun. 2-20 10am – 6pm

March 3-6 (Jacksonville branch)
Home & Patio Show
Prime Osborn Convention Center
1000 Water St.
Jacksonville, FL 32204
Thurs. 3-3 12pm - 9pm
Fri. 3-4 12pm - 9pm
Sat. 3-5 10am – 9pm
Sun. 3-6 10am – 6pm

March 19-20 (Melbourne branch)
Home Show
Cocoa Expo Center
I-95 and SR520
Cocoa, FL 32204
Sat. 3-19 10am – 6pm
Sun. 3-20 11am – 5pm

April 15-17 2011 (Longwood branch)
Home & Garden Show
Orlando Convention Center
9400 Universal Blvd.
Orlando 32819
Fri. 4-15 10am – 9pm
Sat. 4-16 10am – 9pm
Sun. 4-17 10am – 6pm

October 7-9 2011 (Longwood branch)
Home Show
Orlando Convention Center
9400 Universal Blvd.
Orlando 32819
Fri. 10-7 10am – 9pm
Sat. 10-8 10am – 9pm
Sun. 10-9 10am – 6pm