Tips for Protecting Homes and Saving Energy This Winter

For Immediate Release

Sunlight Contractors Share Tips for Protecting Homes and Saving Energy This Winter

Record cold temperatures and energy leaks pose risk to homes

 New Orleans LA, January 5, 2014 – The continued tough economic climate and recent below-average temperatures have homeowners looking to reduce energy costs and protect their real estate investment this winter. Extreme temperatures, hail damage and storms will all pose a threat to homes across the region over the next few months. Sunlight Contractors, Louisiana’s most licensed contracting company, offers homeowners tips for protecting homes and saving energy this winter.

“Protecting a home from extreme winter weather is easier than homeowners may realize,” says Sunlight founder Corey Yates. “First, you need to locate where your home is losing energy by getting a comprehensive home energy assessment. This goes far beyond sealing doors and windows and takes a total overview of a home’s energy losses. However, before considering letting anyone perform a home energy assessment, make sure they are properly licensed and insured to perform home energy assessments,” warns Mr. Yates.

Types of home energy certifications include: BPI Building Performance Analyst, which is typically the certification used to assess older homes. RESNET (HERS) Home Energy Raters, which can provide you with an easily understandable energy rating number that shows how your home compares to other homes in energy efficiency and last, but not least, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) Energy Star for Homes energy efficiency certification.

Corey Yates of Sunlight Contractors happens to hold all three of these licenses and certifications. “I see a lot of companies offering energy efficiency services, illegally I might add, that have no training and often can cause more problems than they fix.” says Yates.

Power offers tips for homeowners looking to protect their homes from cold weather and save energy:

  • Windows – Thermal imaging cameras and pressure testing of the home’s energy envelope can determine the precise locations cold air is penetrating the home and warm air is escaping.
  • Insulation – According to the US Department of Energy, more than 50 percent of the energy used in a typical American home is for heating and cooling the air. Adding to the problem is poorly installed insulation. There may be a large volume of insulation in an attic, but if it is not properly distributed it can actually defeat the benefits of having insulation. The R-value of spray foam insulation makes it the best option for this.
  • Doors – Old or improperly sealed doors can also significantly affect a home’s energy efficiency by allowing heated or conditioned air to easily escape. Specialized equipment can pinpoint which doors are problem areas and the most cost effective ways to fix them.
  • Roofing – With winter cold often come the risk of hail storms, sometimes dropping quarter-sized ice from the sky and causing branches to blow off trees which can loosen or damage shingles, putting a home at risk for water damage and escape of air.
  • Solar – Consider potentially reducing your energy bills to zero with a solar system. Since, Louisiana state and Federal tax incentives will pay for up to 80% of the cost to go solar, you might as well take advantage while you still can. Have a licensed solar contractor, like Sunlight Contractors, provide you will a solar estimate and a guarantee of the production you can expect from solar system.   

The above tips can save homeowners money by protecting their hefty investment and cutting down on monthly carrying costs. For homeowners serious about saving energy this year, we strongly recommend having both a home energy assessment and getting an estimate for a solar system that is eligible for state and federal tax incentives. Homeowners can easily assess their energy usage and find out if they are eligible for a solar system by contacting Corey Yates at Sunlight Contractors. From now until March 1, 2014, Mr. Yates is offering select homeowners within the New Orleans and surrounding areas a free home energy assessment and he will provide a complimentary solar assessment performed on your home.   By assessing your home for all sources of energy loss and providing a roadmap to replace traditional fossil fuel energy costs with solar, homeowners could potentially reduce their utility bills to zero.

Sunlight Contractors’ founder, Corey Yates is well-equipped to assist homeowners in identifying all problem areas and creating effective solutions. Homeowners interested in updating their homes this winter can contact Sunlight for a free in-home evaluation at 855-61-SOLAR or sunlightcontractors.com.

Locations:

Main Office: Sunlight Contractors, LLC 2323 Bainbridge St #110, Kenner, LA 70062 (504) 919-9993

New Orleans location: Sunlight Contractors, LLC 650 Poydras St, Suite 1400, Rm 33, New Orleans, LA 70130 (504) 302-0058

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