Home restoration projects can be very exciting and, if done well, can give you a beautiful home that is not only equipped with modern convenience but filled with character and charm. The challenge, though, can be to combine modern efficiency without losing the homes historic features. What are some of the ways this can be done successfully? Here are just a few suggestions:
While an old home might have design features that help it conserve energy, you will still be wanted to improve its energy efficiency. Insulation is one way of doing this, while the attic is an obvious place to insulate, think, too, about crawlspaces. This can be a little trickier though.
Old homes are known for being drafty. Weather stripping will help with this as you can seal up cracks and gaps in joints etc. One important thing to keep in mind, however, is that before doing any task, such as painting weather stripping for example, choose a paint color that is in keeping with the age of the home.
Another cause of energy loss is drafty windows. This is an area that, if not careful, could be a huge retrofit mistake. Why is that? It might be tempting to replace these windows for new ones, but this should only be considered if the window is too damaged to repair. Original windows help the home keep its character. Try storm windows instead as they can be installed without damaging the home. They can also be painted to fit with the homes age.
There are other ways of effectively reducing energy costs in an old home without ruining the look of it. Simple things like replacing light bulbs with CFL bulbs will help save energy. Also, replace old appliances with new ENERGY STAR rated ones.
Restoring an old home requires a lot of work and research to make sure you don’t make any irreversible mistakes; however, it can be well worth the effort.
While an old home might have design features that help it conserve energy, you will still be wanted to improve its energy efficiency. Insulation is one way of doing this, while the attic is an obvious place to insulate, think, too, about crawlspaces. This can be a little trickier though.
Old homes are known for being drafty. Weather stripping will help with this as you can seal up cracks and gaps in joints etc. One important thing to keep in mind, however, is that before doing any task, such as painting weather stripping for example, choose a paint color that is in keeping with the age of the home.
Another cause of energy loss is drafty windows. This is an area that, if not careful, could be a huge retrofit mistake. Why is that? It might be tempting to replace these windows for new ones, but this should only be considered if the window is too damaged to repair. Original windows help the home keep its character. Try storm windows instead as they can be installed without damaging the home. They can also be painted to fit with the homes age.
There are other ways of effectively reducing energy costs in an old home without ruining the look of it. Simple things like replacing light bulbs with CFL bulbs will help save energy. Also, replace old appliances with new ENERGY STAR rated ones.
Restoring an old home requires a lot of work and research to make sure you don’t make any irreversible mistakes; however, it can be well worth the effort.
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