Dear Almar: I just had my oil tank filled and was shocked by the price. I know that I have felt angry the last few fill ups by the sky rocking price, but this time I am worried about how we will make it thru next season.
I have a 1950's ranch, that I don't think it is insulated (aside from the attic which we did when we moved in 1 ½ ago), we do have vinyl windows the previous owner put in, but they aren't very good quality, and the original boiler from the 1950s which also runs our tankless hot water - so we have to keep the heater on year round.
What can I do now to make my house more efficient before next winter?
Almar: Start by determining if your exterior walls are in fact insulated or not. If not, then we should start there. How is the exterior of the house sided?
CZ: We have old asbestos siding, that we want to get rid of and replace with vinyl.
Almar: Then I would recommend stripping the Asbestos Siding (don't forget you have to have a professional abattoir do this project) then before we install the new vinyl siding we will install the blown-in insulation or install Insulating board under the new siding.
CZ: How will the blown-in insulation help reduce the amount of oil we burn?
Almar: By making the house better insulated, there will be fewer drafts, and you won't have as many air changes per hour resulting in less use of fuel.
CZ: If we are going to vinyl side the house are there any options that will help increase the insulation value?
Almar: We can install a Green Guard Insulating board before we install the standard siding panels. Alcoa does make a siding panel with foam insulation built in called Structure panels. Structure siding is siding bonded with expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam. It provides superior strength, style and performance and a significant improvement in your home's R-Value (resistance to heat flow). This panel also features Alcoa's patented T3-Lok System and withstands winds up to 160 mph!
I have a 1950's ranch, that I don't think it is insulated (aside from the attic which we did when we moved in 1 ½ ago), we do have vinyl windows the previous owner put in, but they aren't very good quality, and the original boiler from the 1950s which also runs our tankless hot water - so we have to keep the heater on year round.
What can I do now to make my house more efficient before next winter?
Almar: Start by determining if your exterior walls are in fact insulated or not. If not, then we should start there. How is the exterior of the house sided?
CZ: We have old asbestos siding, that we want to get rid of and replace with vinyl.
Almar: Then I would recommend stripping the Asbestos Siding (don't forget you have to have a professional abattoir do this project) then before we install the new vinyl siding we will install the blown-in insulation or install Insulating board under the new siding.
CZ: How will the blown-in insulation help reduce the amount of oil we burn?
Almar: By making the house better insulated, there will be fewer drafts, and you won't have as many air changes per hour resulting in less use of fuel.
CZ: If we are going to vinyl side the house are there any options that will help increase the insulation value?
Almar: We can install a Green Guard Insulating board before we install the standard siding panels. Alcoa does make a siding panel with foam insulation built in called Structure panels. Structure siding is siding bonded with expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam. It provides superior strength, style and performance and a significant improvement in your home's R-Value (resistance to heat flow). This panel also features Alcoa's patented T3-Lok System and withstands winds up to 160 mph!
CZ: How much insulation is too much?
Almar: Insulation with proper ventilation can be determined by your siding professional.
Almar: Insulation with proper ventilation can be determined by your siding professional.
CZ: What about my windows? How do I know if they should be replaced?Almar: If they are old, or for that matter new windows that are drafty or not properly installed. You can find out if they are properly installed by asking a professional contractor. Some vinyl windows improperly installed can actually make your house colder.
CZ: What options do I have to reduce my oil consumption?
Almar: There are several options now to make your house more self sufficient starting with a new High Efficiency boiler, Solar Water Heating as well as Solar Heating. Also consider setting back the thermostats, new windows, insulation (as discussed above), storm doors and tighter wall and sill plates.
CZ: What is Solar Water Heating? How does it work? And what's the budget range I should expect?
Almar: This will help you reduce how much oil you burn during the warmer months when you don't need the heater on. More and more companies are getting in the solar market. Velux (the global leader in skylights and other solar technologies) has a product currently on the market.
On average, if you install a solar water heater, your water heating bills should drop 50% - 80%. Also, because the sun is free, you're protected from future fuel shortages and price hikes. Other financial incentives include:
· Anticipated payback period of 3 to 7 years.
· Solar energy systems can take advantage of the sun's free energy year round.
· Solar energy can be produced even at low temperatures.
· Federal tax credits help pay 30% of the cost, up to $2,000 for the system. Many states and utilities offer additional support.
· Between tax credits and energy savings, this system offers a faster return on your investment than other solar energy systems.
· Lower first-time start up cost than solar photovoltaic (PV) systems.
Source: U.S. Department of Energy EERE Consumer's Guide
CZ: How does it work?
Almar: Sun heats up liquid inside collectors. Then the controller pumps hot liquid into the water tank. Next hot liquid heats up water inside the tank. Finally, hot water is available for use inside the house. Source: http://www.veluxusa.com/products/solarWater/
CZ: What are my next steps?
Almar: Rank from most to least important the changes you would like to make and what your budget range is. From there, together we can create an Action List for which projects you want to tackle in what order over the next few weeks, months and years and what products are the best fit for you.
Almar: There are several options now to make your house more self sufficient starting with a new High Efficiency boiler, Solar Water Heating as well as Solar Heating. Also consider setting back the thermostats, new windows, insulation (as discussed above), storm doors and tighter wall and sill plates.
CZ: What is Solar Water Heating? How does it work? And what's the budget range I should expect?Almar: This will help you reduce how much oil you burn during the warmer months when you don't need the heater on. More and more companies are getting in the solar market. Velux (the global leader in skylights and other solar technologies) has a product currently on the market.
On average, if you install a solar water heater, your water heating bills should drop 50% - 80%. Also, because the sun is free, you're protected from future fuel shortages and price hikes. Other financial incentives include:
· Anticipated payback period of 3 to 7 years.
· Solar energy systems can take advantage of the sun's free energy year round.
· Solar energy can be produced even at low temperatures.
· Federal tax credits help pay 30% of the cost, up to $2,000 for the system. Many states and utilities offer additional support.
· Between tax credits and energy savings, this system offers a faster return on your investment than other solar energy systems.
· Lower first-time start up cost than solar photovoltaic (PV) systems.
Source: U.S. Department of Energy EERE Consumer's Guide
CZ: How does it work?
Almar: Sun heats up liquid inside collectors. Then the controller pumps hot liquid into the water tank. Next hot liquid heats up water inside the tank. Finally, hot water is available for use inside the house. Source: http://www.veluxusa.com/products/solarWater/
CZ: What are my next steps?
Almar: Rank from most to least important the changes you would like to make and what your budget range is. From there, together we can create an Action List for which projects you want to tackle in what order over the next few weeks, months and years and what products are the best fit for you.
With the rate of rising fuel costs, your payback time if getting shorter each day! Why wait and let you money seep right out your windows and walls?
This is just some quick information on the various options available. Give Almar a call today (781-826-2577) to discuss your specific house, options, wants and needs! And don't forget Almar offers a minimum 3-Year warranty on our work, along with the Manufacturers Warranties.
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