How energy efficient is your home? Did you know that some power companies will give you a Free in-home energy audit and other incentives to help you save energy and save money on your monthly bill? Does your attic have the correct amount of airflow for your size home? Is your attic properly insulated? Are all your doors and windows sealed tightly? These are just a few things to think about all year round whether your trying to keep the cool air in or the cold air out, you could be saving up to 30-50% on your energy bills just by taking a few precautions.

Here are some things you can do to help with your energy consumption and your monthly bills:

• Roofing – Energy star qualified roofing can not only save you 20% a month on your energy bills but you can also get a tax credit at the end of the year with qualified products! (Up to $1500 tax credit right now) Remember just because it is white roofing doesn’t mean you will be getting that tax credit and just because its energy star roofing doesn’t mean it has to be white!
• Attic Insulation & Ventilation – Making sure that you have the right amount of intake ventilation vs exhaust ventilation will help keep your attic cool year round and protect your roof from getting damaged from underneath and will actually add years of life to your roof. Don’t forget about the insulation! Blown in insulation is a cheap way to add r-value to your attic and is easier to make sure every part of your attic is covered, however batts of insulation will give you a more consistent r-value that will hold up longer over time as long as you make sure to thoroughly cover the attic area. These two points combined is the number 1 way conditioned air escapes a home.
• Windows, Doors & Skylights – Most people forget about their skylight when replacing the roof or their windows & doors, most skylights are two thin pieces of plastic put together and give you no insulation from the elements. Replacing your windows, doors and skylights with double pained insulated glass will qualify you for the energy star tax credit and save you tons on utilities.