Glass Block Blogger

An Energy Saving DYI Weekend

New York, New Jersey, Boston, Philadelphia

For the Do-It-Yourself’ers, nothing is better than doing a gratifying weekend project. And no project is more gratifying than a project that will save money. So, where does our money seem to disappear to, month after month? We could say it literally flies out the window.

Heating costs have a significant impact on our household budget every month and there seems to be no change in site. The US Energy Information Agency (EIA) states that average household heating expenditures for heating oil and propane will increase by 10 percent and 9 percent, respectively, this winter (October 1 to March 31) compared with last winter. Average expenditures for households that heat with oil or propane are forecast to be higher than in any previous winter. In contrast, natural gas and electricity expenditures are projected to remain close to last year’s levels.

The Department of Energy recommends a Do-It-Yourself Home Energy Audit. With a simple but diligent walk-through, you can spot many problems in any type of house. As recommended by the US Department of Energy, inspect windows and doors for air leaks. DOE suggests to see if you can rattle them, since movement means possible air leaks. If you can see daylight around a door or window frame, then the door or window leaks. You can usually seal these leaks by caulking or weather stripping them. Check the storm windows to see if they fit and are not broken. You may also wish to consider replacing your old windows and doors with newer, high-performance ones.

The Glass Block window is an excellent consideration for its ability to provide an aesthetically pleasing space and added security. The LightWise Glass Block window from Easter Glass Block would be an excellent choice. The window is attractive and easy to install. The LightWise® Low E Energy  Efficient Vinyl Window meets ENERGY STAR requirements across the United States. The patented design uses SOLARBAN® 70 to reduce the flow of radiant energy through the block.  And since it meets ENERGY STAR requirements, you can be assured that your interior will be more comfortable and will require less energy to heat and cool your home, which is good for the environment as well as your wallet.

You can check out our post on installing a Glass Block window. Call us at Eastern Glass Block to discuss your project. We have over 20 years of experience and love to share our knowledge.