Clean Your Roof Twice Each Year

Cleaning is the most important part and involves the removal of debris such as branches and leaves. It ensures water swiftly flows and does not accumulate in corners. Hence, clean your roof twice each year and preferably during the autumn and spring season.

Clean The Gutters

Gutters and roofs work together while keeping the moisture flowing away from your house. If gutters get clogged, standing water after a storm seeps through the shingles sheaths and exposes the roof to potential rotting and structural damage.

Take Proactive Measures

Staying proactive and taking preventive measures to protect the roof can avoid substantial damage. You should check your attic insulation regularly as it is responsible to stop water from pooling under the roof when there is a leakage.

Similarly, trim off the overhanging branches to prevent major damage to your roofing. Doing this ensures these branches don’t snap off and hit the roof during a fierce storm. Proper ventilation is another practice that is an important preventive measure. It keeps the air at a constant current around the house and prevents moisture from developing. Regular inspection and cleaning can help in dealing with such a scenario. In case your attic lacks ventilation, prioritize installing one.

Closely Inspect The Roof After A Storm

If your region had seen a hailstorm, tornado, or thunderstorm, you should consider checking the roof for possible damages. Make sure you check for the smallest dent on the shingle as they can convert into a bigger problem in the future.

Look for missing shingles besides dented and torn ones. Shingles show sagging or bald spots indicating that your roof has been damaged. It’s always better to proactively look for such damages than to let them go. Noticing such damages early could save you thousands of dollars in repairs.

If you recently noticed some damage to your roof or it’s been a while since it was serviced by a professional, consult an expert roofing agency. In case you live in Clearwater, FL, you can contact Done Rite Insulation. They are experts with their services and have been serving customers for the past several years.

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Each household takes considerable energy for charging devices or running an AC or other appliances needing power at home. In case utility bills have been a concern for you, it’s time to implement measures that result in energy savings. There are several ways by which you can increase the energy efficiency of your house without making any drastic changes to your lifestyle. They are quick and easy to implement too.

Unplug Gadgets

Turning off an appliance doesn’t necessarily mean it’s not drawing power. It is estimated that “vampire power” costs customers a whopping $30 billion each year. It means on average each household is spending $200 each year just because their gadgets remain plugged. Hence, unplug your devices and appliances when you aren’t using them or after they are fully charged.

Adjust Temperature of Your Water Heater

You might be surprised but lowering the thermostat settings of the water heater can result in considerable energy savings. Every 10ºF decrease in temperature contributes to 3-5% of your energy costs. Some manufacturers set thermostats of water heaters at 140ºF, but usually, 120ºF is enough for most households.

Change Filters

Dirty air filters in your HVAC system make it harder for the system to function. Hence it uses more energy. To ensure it works efficiently, you need to change the filter periodically. Different kinds of filters need different actions, for instance, you should replace a fiberglass filter once each month.

Use a Dishwasher

Most of us think that hand-washing dirty dishes is better than using a big appliance. However, using a dishwasher means it uses less hot water compared to you letting a tap run while you scrub. While cleaning the dishes, make sure you don’t rinse them before loading and ensure you fill the dishwasher before running.

Select Cold Cycle

Almost 90% of energy is used in washing clothes goes towards heating the hot-and-warm-water cycles. Advanced washers along with laundry detergents make it possible to clean clothes efficiently clean in cold water. You should select a cold-water cycle whenever possible.

Program The Thermostat

Programmable thermostats allow you to adjust the temperature when you are not at home. Using them can save up to 10% on cooling and heating costs. Hence, you should replace your standard thermostat with a programmable option.

Fix Leaks

Estimates by Environmental Protection Agency suggest that leaks account for almost 10,000 gallons of water wasted each year per household. Besides being an enormous wastage, overlooking leaks can lead to serious plumbing problems. Thus, periodically check the faucets for leaks and fix them the moment you discover them.

Circulate Air

On average, you pay about 36 cents each hour for operating a room air conditioner. However, a ceiling fan costs about a penny for the same duration. Although ceiling fans don’t cool your rooms like an AC, it circulates the air and creates a breeze. Besides being effective during the hot summer months, reversing its direction in winters can recirculate warm air that collects near the ceiling.

Use Efficient Bulbs

Replacing the 5 most frequently used lights or bulbs with Energy Star-certified lights can save up to $75 each year. Because incandescent bulbs burn out, you should replace them with energy-efficient bulbs as they consume 80% less energy and lasts for a considerably longer period.

Seal Air Leaks

An average household can save about 20% on their heating and cooling costs equivalent to 10% of the total energy bill each year by adequately sealing and insulating corners. Ensure you are sealing air leaks around doors, windows, electrical outlets, or other probable places.

If you are searching for expert home insulation services in Tampa Bay, FL, contact Done Rite Insulation. They have an experienced team of professionals providing complete home and building energy audits to completely optimize efficiency.

Picture Credit: Crello

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