Energy use should be considered for remodeling jobs

Homeowners should keep energy efficiency in mind when remodeling.

Larry Bricker, owner of Nu Way Energy Savers, said the most cost-effective part of a remodeling project is the insulation.

Bricker stressed the importance of not cutting corners when it comes to insulating a home.

"You can build a $100,000 home and put poor insulation in it, and you're not going to be very energy-efficient," Bricker said.

Rick Washam, manager of Southwestern Insulation and Materials, said that many attics are under-insulated, and most heat loss occurs through the attic. The attic insulation energy code for this area is R-38, and most older homes are not up to that code, Washam said.

"The higher the R factor, the more energy-efficient you are," Washam said. "You're going to get your money back eventually on (attic insulation). And your furnace won't cycle as often, and your house will be more comfortable, winter and summer."

When replacing a home's siding, adding Styrofoam or using a house wrap for extra insulation also are options to consider, Washam said. He used both on his home, and although it measures more than 3,000 square feet, his average monthly utility bill is only $85, he said.

The Styrofoam and house wrap helped make the home more air-tight, Washam said.

He added that it is important to properly caulk and seal cracks around a home to keep air from entering. If cold air is felt leaking through electrical outlet or switch covers, they can be sealed with inexpensive foam or rubber gaskets.

"Anywhere you feel a draft, you're losing energy," Washam said.

Return on investment

Cara Shaefer, City Utilities' energy management specialist, said it is important to determine which remodeling projects will provide the best energy savings versus merely aesthetic improvement.

Depending on the home, window replacements may not offer much in energy savings, Shaefer said.

"Window replacements are very expensive, and you don't get that direct energy payback on them," Shaefer said.

Ernie DeCamp, CU's communications director, added that older homes with single-pane glass and storm windows might be good candidates for newer, more energy-efficient windows.

Washam said replacing old storm windows with insulated, double-pane windows will help prevent heat loss and air infiltration that often happens with single-pane windows.

New space

Bricker said one of the first questions faced by most remodelers is how to efficiently heat and cool a new area, since it is not on the home's main system.

Whether to use radiant heat should be determined before construction even begins, so the proper flooring can be used, Bricker said.

When choosing flooring, homeowners should consider the longevity of the materials used and where the flooring will be installed. Temperature variations and the moisture level in the room can make a difference in which flooring to use, he said.

When remodeling involves installing a heating and cooling system, Bricker said homeowners are advised to do their research and seek professional advice.

"The first step on heating and cooling is to insulate," Bricker said. "Next is to find a system that works efficiently for the areas they are remodeling."

Some heating systems will heat a room, but not efficiently, Bricker said. Although the initial cost of a system is a factor, homeowners should consider long-term reliability and money saved in energy bills over a period of time.

"You can save considerably on electric bills depending on the heat system you want to put in," Bricker said. He added that improvements in the construction industry over the years have made a difference in the expense of heating and cooling a house.

"They have a lot of building materials now that are extremely energy efficient."

Heating prices

As many as 90 percent to 95 percent of homes in the Springfield area are heated with forced-air natural gas furnaces, according to DeCamp.

What it will cost to stay warm this winter is hard to say.

It is difficult to predict natural gas prices because the industry is market-driven, DeCamp said.

He noted that last winter's unusually warm temperatures allowed people to save on heating bills.

"Even if we have the same prices as last year but we have a normal winter, their gas bills will be higher," he said.