Helpful Hints

Look;  at StaffordBuilt we understand that heating (and cooling) costs continue to skyrocket so we’ve put together a few handy hints to help with the shooting pain in your wallet (and help you  be a little “greener” too!)

• Use your fan : Conserve heating energy in the winter and cooling energy in the summer by adjusting your ceiling fan rotation accordingly. In summer, have it rotate clockwise to draw air up – allowing cooler air to replace it. In winter, have it rotate clockwise to push hot air down.

• Icicles may look very attractive hanging down off your roof but they’re a sure sign of heat loss (and they pose a danger to anyone walking beneath them!) Have your attic insulated to keep valuable heat inside where it belongs, (and valuable money in your wallet too)

• Even if your attic floor already has 6 or 7 inches of fiberglass, rockwool or Cellulose you should consider adding more. The current standard for Minnesota is R-42, or 14-15 inches, depending on the material.

• Simply insulating your basement walls could save you upwards of $500 per year in energy savings on an average 1200sq.ft basement (depending on R-value R-10 to R-20)

• Here’s a tough question : Should I buy new windows ? Well, you have to (honestly) ask yourself these 3 questions.

Are your old windows a hassle ?

Old windows are high maintenance, plain and simple. They have a nasty habit of eating up Summer days with maintenance issues – like sanding and painting for example. If ease of operation (i.e. opening and closing the window) is an issue - then they may need to be replaced. If condensation occurs in the winter then this is a sign of cold air infiltration (through the pane or factory fitted weather stripping) It can also be from incorrect installation in the first place – thankfully this is rare, but we do come across it. Old windows are also tougher to keep clean. Nowadays window manufacturers have caught on and the majority make keeping the panes clean a breeze.

Are your old windows comfortable ?

Single pane windows are notorious for letting heat out in the winter and heat in, in the summer. Windows with double panes greatly improve the comfort in your home by still allowing sunlight in without the heat and by reducing cold drafts in the winter. This is especially important in Minnesota with our huge temperature variances. They will also save you money on your fuel bill a lot (Low-E) qualify for tax savings (talk to your energy supplier regarding this) but they are costly and they must be installed correctly !

Are your old windows worth repairing?

This is especially important if you own a property of historical relevance (i.e. an old Victorian or craftsman     etc) replacing the windows could actually lower the value of the house. In these cases it may be better to repair the window and simply install storm window inserts over the exterior.

Did you know.. that a tiny 1/16 in. gap between the bottom of an exterior door and the threshold is equivalent to cutting a 2in. square hole in your wall?  Make sure the weather stripping is adequate, and if you install it – be meticulous!

Thanks for taking the time to read our handy hints. Let us know if there is anything we can give you advice on or simply check back here regularly as we update these often!

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