Plan your 2023 Home Renovation Projects with ENERGY STAR®

 

The new year is still fresh, and like many Americans, you might be starting to plan for a 2023 home improvement project. Whether you’re looking to add some extra space, improve your home’s curb appeal, or save energy, the right project can have a huge impact on the comfort, value, and efficiency of your home – and incorporating ENERGY STAR certified products into your next project is a great way to meet your energy-saving goals. Before you dig in and start planning your projects for the new year, here are a few tips to consider:

 

1. Examine your home

A good first step before diving into any major renovation project is to walk your home and inventory the age of your appliances, heating and cooling equipment, and the condition of your home envelope. Although we use these components of our homes on a daily basis, many homeowners may not be aware of how old their systems and appliances are, or when they were last replaced. This information can be crucial when making decisions about which projects to plan, and understanding the condition of these systems can help you prioritize. For example, you may be looking to purchase a new energy efficient appliance, but after walking your home you find that your water heater is over 10 years old and nearing the time of breakdown. In this scenario, you could realize a greater ROI on efficiency and save yourself an emergency repair call if you were to upgrade to an efficient heat pump water heater as opposed to purchasing a brand new appliance.
 

2. Consider the impact of your project

Whether big or small, any home improvement project should be considered an investment. Choosing equipment and features that increase the efficiency of your home can come with a higher price tag, but the added cost will be paid back over time through energy bill savings. Making these kinds of investments can also increase comfort and safety, while helping you transition your home for the clean energy future. Start planning now for an ENERGY STAR Home Upgrade – a set of six high-impact energy efficiency projects designed to deliver significant energy savings. To help with the decision-making process more broadly, ENERGY STAR provides a range of expert advice on ways to optimize the energy-saving impacts of your home improvements.
 

3. Look for the ENERGY STAR

ENERGY STAR is the government-backed symbol for energy efficiency that has been around for over 30 years, and the little blue label can be found on 75 different types of products across hundreds of brands. Products that earn the ENERGY STAR label are independently certified to save energy and money while protecting the environment. In just one year, ENERGY STAR certified products helped consumers save 240 billion kWh of electricity, avoid $24 billion in energy costs, and achieve 180 million metric tons of greenhouse gas reductions!
 

4. Take advantage of rebates and tax credits

When thinking about ways to make a new appliance or home project more affordable, the first thing that comes to mind is likely looking for deals from retailers. However, there are other ways to save on upgrades - such as utility rebates and income tax credits which have been extended and increased through the Inflation Reduction Act. Several categories of products that are eligible for the ENERGY STAR label qualify for a federal tax credit, including products for the interior of a home, as well as improvements to a home’s envelope or exterior. Learn more about how you can apply these incentives to your next project. 

Source: https://www.energystar.gov/products/energy_star_home_upgrade

Indoor Air Quality

         

HVAC without the V spells: HAC. But you're no HAC... are you? We've all heard "build tight, ventilate right", but when it comes to implementation there are so many obstacles and challenges to overcome.

All too often outdoor air intakes are capped off - leaving homeowners trapped in an home more closely resembling a chemistry experiment than a carefree environment.

Call Roberson AC at 979-532-5101 for more info about your home's indoor air quality

Source: HAVEN Pro

Window Wednesday 🪟

If you're experiencing "sweaty" windows this winter, call Roberson AC at 979-532-5101 for more information.

Why Windows Do Not Cause Condensation

Under certain conditions, condensation occurs both inside and outside your home, but windows do not cause condensation. The source of condensation, or “sweating,” on windows and mirrors inside a home is humidity, or invisible water vapor, present in virtually all air. When this water vapor comes in contact with a surface, at a temperature below what is called the “dew point,” the vapor turns to visible droplets of liquid, or condenses, on the cooler surface. This often happens to bathroom mirrors and walls after someone has taken a hot shower. Condensation can also occur on windows during the winter if the inside humidity level is high enough. When it comes to condensation outside your home, it is simply a fact of nature. Exposed to certain conditions, like a clear night sky, still air or high relative humidity, the exterior surface of the glass can radiate heat away from your home and into the night air, allowing the glass temperature to fall below the dew point of the ambient air—creating condensation. Only when the glass temperature rises above the dew point will the condensation evaporate back into the air. Common examples of this are when dew forms on grass, car hoods and roofs and in common summertime conditions, with hot, humid air on the outside and colder, conditioned air on the inside. Condensation can form differently from window to window. Even windows that are located on the same wall of a home can experience different levels of condensation. This can happen due to varying humidity levels, elevation, landscaping near windows or different rates of exposure to the gradual warming effect of the sun.

Do Thermally Efficient Windows Prevent Condensation? 

There is no such thing as a condensation-free window. Even walls will “sweat” under conditions of high humidity. Remember that windows do not cause condensation: they simply prevent the moisture from escaping to the outside and serve as a highly visible surface where condensation can be easily noticed. If inside glass surfaces on double- or triple-glazed windows show excessive condensation, you can be reasonably sure that moisture is also collecting in your walls and ceilings. When outside condensation occurs, this does not mean your insulating glass unit is defective. In fact, it shows that the unit is doing its job—insulating the building from the environment.

Balancing Humidity for Comfort and Condensation 

Controlling the amount of moisture in the air, or humidity, is the most effective way to reduce condensation. The amount of moisture in the air is indicated by the “relative humidity” of the air. Relative humidity is the percentage of moisture in the air compared to the maximum amount it can hold. For instance, when it is raining or very foggy outside, the outdoor relative humidity would be 100%. Temperature also effects how much moisture air can hold. At 100% relative humidity, air at 60 degrees will hold three times as much water vapor as air at 30 degrees Fahrenheit. As temperatures drop during the winter, the air cannot hold as much moisture as before and condensation will occur unless the relative humidity level is lowered.

What Can I Do to Help with Condensation? 

Most everyday activities produce water vapor. A five-minute shower releases about ½ pint of water vapor, cooking dinner on a gas stove can produce 2½ pints of water vapor and the breathing and perspiration of a family of four can produce approximately ½ pint per hour.* Although it’s an uphill battle, there are a few things you can do to help control moisture levels in your home. • Use kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans. • If you have a humidifier, set it to correct outside temperature. • Properly vent clothes dryers, gas appliances, stoves, etc. • Make sure attic, basement and crawl spaces are well ventilated and free from obstructions. • Don’t store firewood inside; freshly cut wood can consist of up to 45% water, while well-seasoned firewood can have a 20-25% moisture content that can be released in your home.** • Open a window in the bathroom. • Open curtains and blinds to allow more air circulation around windows.

Source: https://www.norandex.com/resources/homeowners/window-resources/vinyl-window-condensation-information/

Best of Wharton County 2022

 THANK YOU for voting us Best Of Wharton County 2 years in a row!!! Check out all the winners in the Best Of magazine included in this week's paper.

Additional copies are available for pick up at:

- Wharton Journal-Spectator

- Wharton, Texas Chamber of Commerce

- Wharton Economic Development Corporation

ACCA Accreditation

 

As Wharton and surrounding areas look forward to future growth, Roberson AC is proud to announce our Air Conditioning Contractors of America Quality Assured (QA) Contractor accreditation. We’re now part of an elite group of HVAC professionals installing ENERGY STAR certified systems.

Contact Roberson AC at 979-532-5101 to learn more about our AprilAire products.

 

Tip Tuesday💡

 Did you get a new roof over the summer? With heater season right around the corner, Roberson AC recommends having your flue inspected to ensure it is properly venting outside the home and not into your attic.