Northern Virginia Home Improvement

Design Pro Home Improvement Information

Tips for Saving Energy This Summer

Northern Virginia may be blessed with beautiful weather, but the summers can be sweltering - and when the temperatures rise, the cost of cooling your home does too. Here are some tips to save energy and help protect the environment at the same time:

• Set your programmable thermostat to save while you are away or asleep. Using it properly can save up to $180 per year in energy costs.
• Run ceiling fans in a clockwise direction to create a wind-chill effect that will make you "feel" cooler. Remember that ceiling fans cool people, not rooms -- so turn them off when you leave the room.
• Inspect your duct system for obvious signs of leaks and disconnections (most houses leak 20 percent or more). Seal any leaks with foil tape or a special sealant called "duct mastic." Also consider insulating ducts in unconditioned areas (like the attic, basement or crawlspace).
• Seal air leaks around your home to keep the heat out and the cool air in. The biggest air leaks are usually found in the attic or basement, but also come in around doors, windows, vents, pipes and electrical outlets. Use caulk, spray foam or weather stripping to seal the leaks. And add more insulation to keep your home cooler this summer.
• Maintain your cooling system. Check your system's air filter every month at a minimum and change the filter every 3 months. Remove leaves, dirt and other debris from around the outdoor components to improve air flow and efficiency. Have a qualified professional tune-up your system with a pre-season maintenance checkup and, if it's time to replace your old system, look for models that have earned EPA's Energy Star.
• Turn off office lights and equipment when not in use so they don't generate unnecessary heat.
• Replace incandescent light bulbs in your desk lamp with Energy Star qualified compact fluorescent light bulbs which use two-thirds less energy and generate less heat than conventional bulbs.

When it comes to making your home more energy efficient, call the experts at Design Pro Exteriors. Our focus on home improvement services in the Washington, D.C. metro area has allowed us to remain a trusted industry leader and service provider. We want to not only earn your business, but that of your family and friends as well.

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Northern Virginia Home Improvement: Replacement Window and Siding Services

WINDOWS: Custom Window Replacement • Window Replacement • Vinyl Replacement • Skylight Windows • Window Replacement Installation • Insulated Windows • Sunroom Windows • Composite Windows • Fiberglass Windows • Double Hung Windows • Awning Windows • Bay Windows • Casement Windows • Picture Windows • Vinyl Replacement Windows • Window Installation / Replacement • Quality Replacement Windows • Anderson Windows • Pella Windows • Palladian Windows • CertainTeed Windows • Jeld-Wen Windows • Energy Efficient Windows • Energy Star Windows SIDING: Vinyl Siding • Clapboard Siding • Composite Siding • Green Siding • Cedar Siding • Wood Siding • James Hardie Siding • hardie board siding