Home Energy Saving Contractor Near You | Insulation, Heating, Cooling, Energy Audits

Last Chance to Claim the Home Energy Efficiency Tax Credit Before It Ends

2025-10-15T00:00:00.05Z

Time is running out for homeowners who want to save money through the Home Energy Efficiency Tax Credit. This credit is set to expire on December 31, 2025, meaning there’s only a limited window left to take advantage of valuable savings on upgrades that make your home more comfortable and energy efficient.

What Qualifies for the Credit?

If you’ve been considering energy-saving improvements, now is the time to act. Qualified services and products include:

Insulation: Keep your home comfortable year-round and cut down on wasted energy.
Air Sealing: Prevent drafts, improve comfort, and lower your heating and cooling bills.
HVAC Upgrades: More efficient heating and cooling systems reduce costs and improve air quality.
Windows & Doors: Energy-efficient replacements help reduce drafts and improve efficiency.
Energy Audits: Find out exactly where your home is losing energy and how to fix it.

Because the Home Energy Efficiency Tax Credit applies to multiple types of upgrades, it’s worth thinking about how they work together. For example, replacing old, drafty windows with energy-efficient windows can make a dramatic difference in preventing heat loss, but those benefits are multiplied when paired with proper weatherization. Sealing gaps, insulating the attic, and addressing hidden air leaks ensure that the energy your home holds in, or keeps out, isn’t quietly escaping elsewhere. When combined, upgrades like these not only qualify for the tax credit but also deliver a much greater return in comfort, efficiency, and long-term savings

Don’t Miss the Deadline

The expiration of this credit means any upgrades made after December 31, 2025, will no longer qualify. That’s why now is the best time to schedule an estimate with your local Dr. Energy Saver dealer.

Book your free estimate today and secure your savings before the credit disappears!

What's Better (First): Solar, High-Efficiency Furnace, or Air Sealing and Insulation?

2024-12-26T00:00:00.05Z

Want to improve your home's comfort and energy efficiency? Discover the home upgrade that has the biggest return on investment!

When it comes to the best bang for your buck (greatest savings for the money spent), which is better? Solar panels on your roof, upgrading to a high-efficiency furnace, or air sealing the big leaks in your house and insulating your attic properly? I am highly qualified to answer this question for you. If you want to skip the technical explanations, just go to the last sentence.

Solar

While they have their benefits, solar panels are a significant investment and can be expensive and tedious to maintain.

I own five large solar installations (on 4 of our 14 buildings and on my home). I love the idea of getting free electricity from the sun. BUT, there are many issues. First, it’s expensive. Spending $20,000 or $35,000 is a lot. But what about the financing — the cost of the money if you don’t pay cash? A solar salesman won’t explain that you will pay more for interest on a 25-year mortgage for the solar than you will for the solar.

The Rule of 72 says that the amount of time it takes to double your money is the interest rate divided into 72. So at 10% interest on a mortgage for your solar panels, you will pay as much for interest as you will for the solar in just 7.2 years at 10% if you were only paying interest. Now, you are paying part of the principal each payment, but the loan is for a lot longer than 7.2 years. You have to save enough on electricity to pay for the panels AND all that interest. By that time the panels will be beyond their useful life and stop working.

The next problem is that unless the panels are facing directly south at just the right angle with no trees (ever) around to shade the panels, they will not produce at their stated capacity. That’s easy to understand. Still, you see panels on opposite sides of roofs all the time. East and west side? Not good. So, your payback is way longer.

The next problem is your roof. Roofs need to be replaced every 25 years or so. Sometimes sooner. If you have solar panels, they have to come off, get your new roof, and have the solar panels reinstalled. By the time you pay for all that, you will probably never save the cost of the panels.

Three feet of heavy snow collapsing your solar array….or the inverter going out and you not noticing your panels are no longer producing for months are other problems. Ask me how I know…

So, the answer to the question posed is NOT solar. Solar is good in principle, don’t get me wrong. But from a practical perspective or a financial one, it’s not the first thing you should do.

How about a high-efficiency furnace?

Installing a high-efficiency furnace offers numerous benefits, including reducing home heating and cooling costs.

A basic furnace like the one in the house you grew up in was about 80% efficient. This means that when it burns fuel like natural gas, it transfers 80% of the heat to the ductwork on its way to the rooms in your house. The other 20% goes up the chimney.

When you have a masonry chimney, you NEED as much heat to go up it. This is because you need to heat the chimney to create an updraft, and you don’t want the combustion gases to cool before they get out of the top of the chimney. Otherwise, they will condense into water and run back down and make a mess. And when winter comes, the water will freeze and crack the masonry apart when the furnace shuts off.

A high-efficiency furnace bumps you up to about 94% efficiency, losing just 6% instead of 20% out of the exhaust. It has a secondary heat exchanger in it to squeeze out all the heat it can from the exhaust, which is now so cool it cannot use a masonry chimney but can use a PVC pipe instead run out of the side of your house at ground level. (In my house, I tore my masonry chimney down once I installed a high-efficiency furnace AND water heater. This made some more space in the basement and rooms upstairs.)

Ok, so we’ve established that we can get 14% more heat to the ductwork if we install a high-efficiency furnace versus an old 80% one. Another advantage of a high-efficiency furnace is that it doesn’t take air from inside the building to combust the fuel and run up the chimney. Instead, it has dedicated intake air through a second PVC pipe from the outside. The advantage here is that it doesn’t depressurize the house by sending air up the chimney. For every cubic foot of air that goes up the chimney, and new cubic foot of air has to leak in the building envelope somewhere to replace it — and this new air is cold and has to be heated.

But, while a high-efficiency furnace is a good idea, it’s still not the number one thing you should do to get the most results for the money spent.

So, what is?

Air Sealing and Insulation

Sealing attic leaks and ducts and installing high-quality cellulose insulation is a cost-effective way to improve your home's energy efficiency and comfort.

When you heat air and send it to the house via the ductwork, the house heats up and satisfies the thermostat, and the furnace shuts off. Well, why does the furnace turn on again minutes later? Answer: because the heat leaked out of the house!

Warm air rises and causes positive pressure between the top of the house and the attic and outside. The warm air leaks out of the top of the house at any holes, leaks, gaps, and seams that it can. This causes negative pressure between the lower parts of the house and the inside. So cold outside air leaks in any holes, joints, or gaps at the bottom of the house.

Besides that, heat moves out molecule by molecule through solid materials that are not insulated well.

Lastly, ducts leak — a lot. The HVAC industry admits that ducts leak a whopping 47% of the air that is forced through them by the fan on the furnace — air you paid to heat. And if the ducts are in the attic, that is the most wasteful kind of leak because the attic is “outside” since it is vented.

If we stop air from leaking out at the top of the house, less air will leak in at the bottom (even if we do nothing at the bottom of the house) because less air needs to be replaced since less leaked out. If we seal and insulate ducts in the attic, it makes a huge difference in the amount of air delivered to the rooms and the temperature of that air.

What are some attic air leaks that need to be sealed? There is a 2” gap all the way around your chimney, can lights in the ceiling, pipe, and wire holes, duct chases, seams between drywall and framing at the top of every wall, the attic hatch, around ceiling fans, and many other potential leaky building assemblies. Knee wall spaces in cape cods and contemporary homes are very problematic, making the adjoining rooms cold in winter and hot in summer.

Once the attic is air-sealed properly, then 17” of cellulose insulation (not fiberglass) is blown in. That’s the amount you need. It’s R60. Most people have R19 or less now.

Air sealing and insulating costs far less than solar or a high-efficiency furnace. The return on investment is far, far higher.

Think about it. If your house is leaky (and ducts are leaky), why spend lots of money on more expensive energy (solar is “free energy,” but costs $35,000 — or some such number plus 25 years of interest, so it is NOT free!) only to waste that more expensive energy on a leaky house? And if heat doesn’t stay in your house very long, why worry about how efficiently you are extracting that heat from the natural gas (or other fuel) you buy? Your furnace may be 80% or 94% efficient, but you are running that heat into 60% efficient ductwork into a 40% efficient house!

Fix the house and the ducts first! That is the answer.

It’s cheaper, faster (one or two days), you’ll save more money and have a higher rate of return, and it will make your home more comfortable with fewer drafts — something the other two options do not do.

First Time Homeowner? Here's How To Insulate Your New Home!

2021-10-28T00:00:00.05Z

Ensuring that your new home is properly insulated is one of the most important parts of homeownership.

Becoming a first-time homeowner is the beginning of a grand adventure, one full of choices and surprises, with no shortage of work to be done.

One of the most important considerations to make when moving into a new home is ascertaining its level of energy efficiency and overall comfort. Depending on the age of construction, the needs of the home may vary--with newer construction tending to need less in the way of insulation and air sealing than older construction, which often requires new or added insulation after a certain amount of time. But, as a new homeowner, how does one know which type of insulation their home needs?

Insulation 101

Batt insulation is commonly used in attics, walls, floors, and ceilings.

As a first-time homeowner, there are many aspects of maintaining a healthy and comfortable home that was never quite as important before as a renter or member of the family household. Things like “how often should the gutters be cleaned?” or “what type of insulation goes where?”

Here’s a rundown of the most common types of insulation:

Batt Insulation--Sometimes referred to as “rolls”, there are several types of batt insulation: rock or mineral wool, cellulose, and natural fiber with the most commonly used insulation around the country being fiberglass batts. Well-loved for its cost-efficiency and high performance, batt insulation is often found in walls, floors, ceilings, and attics.
Blown-In Insulation--As with batt insulation, there is a variety of materials that blown-in insulation can be composed of. Fiberglass, cellulose, mineral wool, and natural fiber are all available in the form of blown-in insulation material. Slightly more expensive than batts, this type of insulation is commonly recommended for attics and crawl spaces due to its filling nature, not leaving much room for walking.
Foam Board Insulation--Also known as “Rigid Foam Insulation”, this type of insulation material consists of a solid board, usually made of polystyrene with a radiant barrier on one side. It’s extremely durable and non-degrading, making it an ideal choice for garages, basements, and crawl spaces.
Spray Foam Insulation--Spray foam insulation can be costly, but has the longest lifespan and best energy-efficiency capabilities on the market. Made from an expanding chemical compound, it is unique in its air sealing properties, easily filling small gaps and cracks in building material, as well as being waterproof, pest resistant, and extremely durable. Spray foam can be used in virtually any area of the home.

Which insulation is best for my home?

Cellulose insulation, made from recycled paper is an excellent insulating material for attics with unfinished floors and crawl spaces.

There are many factors that contribute to what insulation is best for the home, and how much you may need in any given area. Some of these factors include the age of construction, common weather patterns in your area, and your personal budget.

With older homes, insulation has had more time to settle, degrade and lose its overall effectiveness. In some cases, with a truly old home, there could be areas that were neglected altogether. This can become a serious drain on money and resources during the winter if you happen to live in a colder climate, leaving the home uncomfortable and racking up heating and cooling bills through the seasons. The best way to choose the proper insulation for your home is, of course, to reach out to a professional home insulation contractor for an experienced opinion.

Common Insulation And Home Energy Efficiency Questions

Where does a home need more insulation?

Heat naturally rises, this is a fact that we all know well. As such, the area that tends to lose the most heat during the winter and collect the most heat during the summer is the highest point in the home--making the attic space one of the most crucial areas to ensure is properly insulated--as well as exterior walls and windows.

What is R-value?

R-value is defined as the capacity of an insulating material to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the greater and more effective the insulating power of the material.

How much insulation should be installed?

Unfortunately, there is no one answer to this question, however--a professional home insulation contractor will be an excellent resource for you in this matter.

What is a Home Energy Audit?

A home energy audit is a series of tests done around the home to form a better idea of energy usage and subsequent wastage, air leakage, and poor insulation. A home insulation and energy efficiency contractor will identify the problem areas and help you to plan a proper solution to your energy and comfort concerns.

What is Air Sealing?

Air sealing is a process by which expanding foam--much like spray foam insulation--is injected into small gaps and cracks that contribute to air loss within the home. Common places to be air sealed include window trims, around doors, vents, fireplaces, and furnace flues among other areas.

Learn More About Home Insulation Today

Check out the Dr. Energy Saver website, or reach today for more information about insulation!

Here at Dr. Energy Saver, we know just how daunting it can feel to settle into being a new homeowner. That’s why we make it our business to provide not only top-quality customer service and trusted workmanship--but a wealth of readily available information as well.

If you’re interested in learning more about the various types of insulation and home energy efficiency services, visit Dr. Energy Saver’s website today!

Why Insulation Is Important During The Summer

2021-07-15T00:00:00.05Z

While it's common knowledge that insulation keeps the home warm during the winter months, did you know that the insulation in your home also works to keep the space cool during the summer?

We think of our home insulation as something of a blanket, or extra padding keeping us from the cold air of the outside during the colder months--almost like the walls of our homes are something of a winter coat. This is a somewhat accurate comparison, but there is a difference here. Continuing to wear a heavy winter jacket in the summer would lead you to overheat, but insulation within the home can have the opposite effect, and actually work to keep the heat of the summer season out of the home.

How Insulation Works

Home insulation works to absorb the heat being produced by your heating systems during the winter months, and conversely, it can keep the hot air from spreading through the home from the attic, where you’ll notice the highest spike of heat in the day during the summer. This allows you to run your air conditioning more efficiently and for you to save money on your energy bills overall.

There are three ways that heat travels, radiation, conduction and convection. Thermal insulation helps trap this heat in the many ways it can travel. This can be explained quite simply:

With Conduction, heat travels through an object or material, like body heat being retained within a down jacket that helps to keep you warm on a cold day. This is also the way that heat spreads through the home in the hot summer months, as the sun beats down on the roof and slowly heats up the air within.
With Convection, heat travels through the air. In many types of insulation, there is quite a lot of air within the material, helping to trap and keep the heat.
With Radiation, heat emanates from a specific source, like the aptly named radiators in older homes--which function by pushing hot water through standing metal heating apparatuses that then warm the room over time. It’s the same way that a fire heats a room, or a wood stove.

Where Should The Home Be Insulated?

Ideally, the home should be insulated from top to bottom--or attic to foundation, and everything between!

When we think of home insulation, many of us tend to think of dusty attics, packed full of pink fiberglass insulation, or perhaps insulated wall cavities. These are two very important areas to insulate, but with the interest of the highest possible level of energy efficiency, then everything from the attic to the foundation should be insulated.

Ideally, a properly insulated home would have insulation material in the walls, ceilings, floors, crawl spaces, basements, and around ducts and piping. All these areas should be properly insulated to prevent the hot, humid air of the outside world from seeping into and throwing off the temperature balance of the home. Through a process known as “The Stack Effect”, heat naturally rises to the highest reachable point within a structure. This is why attics are so hot, while the rest of the home sits at a comfortable temperature. Without proper home insulation however, the heat can fill up the whole house as there is no block to keep it out, allowing the whole home to become uncomfortable through the seasons. To see what it would take for your home to be the most energy efficient it could be, reach out to a professional for a home energy audit!

What Insulation is Best for My Home This Summer?

All insulation works on a level of energy efficiency, helping to slow the movement of air flow and retain heat. Some do so with more or less success, but ultimately, there are plenty of options on the market so that you can make the best choice for your home.

There are many types of insulation materials on the market, including:

Fiberglass batt insulation, probably the most common insulation material and one of the least expensive. However, glass fibers can irritate the skin, eyes, and lungs and lead to health issues down the line. This material’s performance can also suffer significantly from poor installation.
Spray foam insulation made from a polyurethane foam. This material is more expensive on the scale of insulation options, and must be installed carefully by highly trained professionals as it’s installation produces toxic gas that must be allowed time to dissipate, but it’s also one of the most energy efficient materials on the market.
Cellulose insulation, made from recycled newspaper material. Perhaps the least expensive option in terms of home insulation materials, and also highly effective. However, if someone in the home has allergies or breathing issues, the dust from this insulation option may be inflammatory to those issues.
Rigid foam insulation which is typically made from a mixture of polystyrene and some type of rockwool or fiberglass, with a radiant barrier on at least one of its sides. Firmly in the mid range of cost for home insulation options, rigid foam is an option that doesn’t require specialized installation techniques or protection for workers, making it affordable, while also being an effective insulation option.

A professional can help to break down the benefits and potential drawbacks of each insulation type based on your home’s specific home insulation needs. This way, you can ensure that your home operates at the highest level of energy efficiency possible!

Finding a Reliable Home Insulation Contractor

Dr. Energy Saver can help you to insulate the home against the heat of the summer months!

Properly installed home insulation can provide improved energy efficiency, lower energy bills, and increased home comfort. When looking for a home insulation contractor to improve the overall comfort of your home this summer, make sure to hire someone who is licensed, trained, and has high-quality products and services. Contractors who are part of the Dr. Energy Saver Network exemplify all of the above qualities to ensure you, the customer, get the best service possible.

With a wide range of energy efficiency and home insulation services, Dr. Energy Saver contractors are here to help you, your home, and your family! Reach out for your free, no obligation estimate today!

Why Are My Walls Cold?

2021-01-21T00:00:00.05Z

Using a variety of techniques and products, Dr. Energy Saver can resolve the issue of cold walls.

Winter has arrived, settling in for the long haul as the nights grow dark early and the temperature calls for wearing hats, gloves and scarves. As the temperatures drop, a lack of proper air sealing and insulation can have a negative impact on a home's overall temperature, leaving homeowners uncomfortable and chilly even in their own homes.

You can think of insulation within a home as the layers that you wear to go outside. If you wear a sweater, jeans, socks and boots and layer up with a coat, hat and gloves, virtually your entire body will be warm. But if you leave the coat unbuttoned, or forget a scarf then air can sneak in beneath your layers. In the same way, improperly insulated and air sealed walls allow the cold to seep into the home and provide little protection from the freezing temperatures.

The Risks Of Cold Walls

While it may seem like the most pressing concern with a lack of wall insulation is the chill itself, this actually isn’t the case. When it comes to the difference in temperature between the air within your home and the air outside, there can sometimes be an accumulation of moisture known as condensation.

Moisture is the number one enemy to homeowners. When there’s a lack of wall insulation, trapped moisture within the walls and beading up on the surface provides the perfect environment for mold and mildew to grow, and when it does it grows fast. Mold can seed and begin to spread within hours, in just a matter of days mold can cover an entire floor, and attach itself to other natural materials. Things like furniture, clothing, paper and even some trinkets and personal belongings can be easily destroyed by mold, and fast.

It’s not only uncomfortable to spend too much time in a cold home. Research has shown that living in a house with a temperature that is consistently below 68 degrees can cause a variety of mental and physical health problems, as well as exacerbate already existing conditions. Ailments such as asthma and high blood pressure can be worsened by consistently low indoor temperatures. With the potential for household mold added on top, it’s a recipe for an indoor air quality disaster.

How a Home Insulation Contractor Can Help You

Insulating the walls helps to retain heat within the home's living spaces.

Utilizing proper insulation and air sealing can greatly increase indoor comfort. With the help of a professional home insulation contractor, you not only improve your home’s comfort, but you also increase the longevity of HVAC systems within your home as well.

With professional training and years of experience, a home insulation contractor can come to your home to:

Perform an energy audit to assess where you’re losing the most energy. Using this procedure a home insulation contractor can pinpoint where you’re losing heat and allow cold air to enter into the home and decide the best products and materials to use to maximize energy efficiency and heat retention.

Formulate a plan to make your home more energy efficient! Wall insulation and air sealing can greatly improve indoor comfort. Interior and exterior walls should be properly insulated to maximize comfort and energy efficiency. Utilizing proper techniques and products, like wall insulation and air sealing, will make your home much more enjoyable and comfortable all year round.

Air Sealing fills gaps and cracks that allow cold air to seep into the home.

Finding a Home Insulation Contractor

When looking to find a qualified insulation contractor, Dr. Energy Saver has you covered. Dr. Energy Saver has a nationwide network of trusted home insulation contractors that can improve the comfort and quality of your home.

If you’re looking to layer up this winter season with better wall insulation, reach out today for your free, no obligation estimate!

Are Cold Homes Unhealthy?

2020-11-20T00:00:00.05Z

According to the World Health Organization, it is dangerous to live for a prolonged period of time in a home under 64 degrees.

The uncomfortable truth is that cold indoor temperatures can have a significant impact on our health, and could lead to serious, if not fatal health complications over time. According to the World Health Organization, there are many risks attached to living in a cold home for a prolonged period of time. With a long list of ailments ranging from mild to fatal, the data shows that living in a home under the recommended temperature of 64 degrees Fahrenheit, or below 18 degrees Celsius, can be detrimental.

The Risks of A Cold Living Environment

Typically, it’s the very young and the elderly who will be the most impacted by these conditions, but even healthy adults aren’t immune to the cold. Prolonged exposure can aggravate existing conditions, such as asthma and arthritis, and can even create new problems within the body over time. Health conditions that can be worsened or caused by a cold living environment can include:

Asthma
Worsening Pulmonary Conditions
Heightened Risk of Infection
Respiratory Infections
Circulatory and Cardiovascular Problems
Heart Attacks and Strokes
Poor Sleep and Insomnia
Mental Health Issues such as Depression and Anxiety
And more

Common Causes of Low Indoor Temperatures

Uninsulated areas of the home are prone to low temperatures.

These issues are most commonly found in areas of mild climate, and affect homes with structural deficiencies, lack proper insulation and air sealing, or have inadequate heating systems and low energy efficiency.

Due to the way that homes, both new and old, are constructed, once built they are left with many gaps and cracks that air can travel through, such as:

Natural settlement cracks in concrete
Nail holes
Penetrations around plumbing and electrical wiring
Vented crawl spaces
Vented attics
And more

While older homes may suffer more from these issues, as well as old, inadequate windows and doors, newer homes aren’t exempt from these problems that can arise from improper insulation, lack of air sealing, poor energy efficiency, and outdated heating systems.

Ways Insulation Contractors Can Improve Home Comfort

There are many ways that an insulation contractor can improve comfort and properly control temperatures within a cold home. The first thing that will be recommended is a Home Energy Audit. This test is designed to find the gaps, cracks, areas of insulation that need updating and the like around the home. Using this test, your insulation contractor will know where to start and what services to provide that will best tackle the problem and improve home comfort and energy efficiency.

Here at Dr. Energy Saver, our trained professionals offer a wide variety of services geared towards increasing energy efficiency and improving home comfort, while also improving the lives of our customers.

Insulation Services--There are many areas that should be insulated within a home, such as basements, crawl spaces, floors, interior and exterior walls, attics, and more. Our insulation materials range from spray foam and foam boards to cellulose and fiberglass insulation. All of our expert insulation contractors are trained and knowledgeable in offering the best choice for you and your home.
Air Sealing Services--Air sealing is the process of filling small gaps and cracks with an expanding foam to block the passage of air. There are many tiny penetrations within the structure of a home that can greatly impact energy efficiency and comfort, allowing the warm air from your heating systems back out into the chill of the outside. By filling these gaps with insulation material and air sealing the home, you can keep the home warmer, save money, and prolong the lifespan of your heating systems.
Duct Sealing Services--Ducts carry the heated or cooled air through the walls of our homes; but much like the other components of our homes, they too have tiny gaps and cracks due to the way they are constructed. Leaving ducts unsealed and uninsulated within an attic or basement can result in losing this conditioned air along the way as it travels through the cold ducts. By sealing the ducts, you can save money on your heating bill and be significantly more comfortable in your home.
Replacement Windows & Doors--As windows and doors age, they lose their seals and become inefficient, allowing in cold drafts that can impact home comfort in a big way. Depending on the material the windows and doors are made of, replacements may be needed sooner rather than later. Wooden windows, for example, have the shortest lifespan, as they are made of natural materials. High-quality, energy-efficient doors and windows often have insulated cores and frames, and lengthy lifespans.
Energy Efficient Heating Systems--Every system and machine has its own lifespan; how much stress it can operate under and how effective that operation can be. Heating systems in homes with improper insulation, lack of air sealing, and inefficient windows and doors will have to work extra hard to try to balance out the temperature of the home; causing the heating system to run down faster. Here at Dr. Energy Saver, we provide a selection of high energy-efficient heating systems and expert advice to help you make the best choice for you and your family.

Finding an Expert Insulation Contractor

Reach out to start improving your indoor comfort, today!

As winter steadily approaches and the temperature continues to drop in mild climates, the incoming cold is a large concern for many families around the country. For those of us with lower incomes, or older, inefficient homes, this time of year can be one of stress as we try to keep our homes and families warm through the cold weather.

Here at Dr. Energy Saver, it’s our mission to improve your home’s energy efficiency and comfort, with the added benefit of improving the lives of our valued customers. With a wide variety of services geared towards those missions, including air sealing, insulation, and duct sealing, Dr. Energy Saver is here for you and your family this winter. Reach out about your Home Energy Audit and get started today!

How Can I Keep Heat From Escaping My Home?

2020-11-09T00:00:00.05Z

Properly insulated and sealed homes promote indoor comfort.

Across the country, summer has come and gone, and soon the colder weather will be here to stay. During this time, we shuffle indoors and wait for the turn of the seasons, relying on our homes to keep us warm.

Unfortunately, some houses aren’t as equipped to keep the heat inside. When cold floors and drafty rooms are forcing you to bundle up, you may be wondering how to keep your home warmer, and Dr. Energy Saver is here to help!

Home Comfort and its Greatest Enemy: Heat Loss

Due to the nature of construction, homes can be left with many holes for air to pass through.

The greatest enemy of home comfort and energy efficiency is heat loss. Heat loss, also referred to as air leakage, is the scientific process that draws warm air to colder spaces. There are many permeable areas in a home that can allow heat loss to occur, such as around masonry, plumbing and electrical wiring, drawing the warm air that you pay for away from living spaces. Not to mention the possibility of lackluster insulation, or unsealed ductwork and aging windows and doors.

Using a test called a Home Energy Audit, a professional can come out to the home and pinpoint areas of air leakage or insufficient insulation. This way, you can know exactly where to start when making your home more comfortable, energy efficient, and cost effective to live in.

How To Improve Home Comfort

When looking to improve indoor comfort, the first step is to reach out to a professional for advice. The most common ways to increase comfort in the home is through proper insulation, air sealing and energy efficient windows and doors. With professional guidance, you’ll know exactly where to start.

1. Home Insulation

Proper Insulation can greatly increase energy efficiency and comfort.

Proper home insulation is an essential part of comfort and energy efficiency to any home. Using proper insulation material that has the correct R value, or heat retention ability, can go a long way. Not only will adequate home insulation make you feel more comfortable in your home, but it will also save you money and allow heating systems to run more efficiently.

There are virtually no areas of a home that should go uninsulated, including:

Exterior Walls
Interior Walls
Attics
Basements
Crawl Spaces
Floors
Ceilings

Home insulation ensures the retention of heated or cooled air, allowing the home to reach a desired temperature and the cooling or heating system to shut off in a timely manner.

During a full in-home inspection and estimate, a home insulation contractor will point out areas that should be reinsulated, as well as recommending the best insulation material for your home and family. Going beyond regular wall, ceiling or floor insulation, an insulation contractor may also recommend insulated windows and doors.

2. Air Sealing

Air Sealing fills the cracks and gaps that allow air to pass through the structure.

Air sealing is the practice of filling small cracks and gaps in the homes structure, usually around masonry, plumbing and electrical wiring with an expanding foam material. During construction, these areas puncture through building material due to necessity; a chimney has to go through the roof, and wires and pipes have to snake through walls to provide their functions all around the home. As a result, the home is left with small holes for air to pass through.

The expanding foam is inserted into these small cracks and gaps to seal them, helping to prevent air from escaping, keeping the heat or cooling that you paid for inside the home. Areas that may be air sealed include:

Around Chimney Stacks
Plumbing and Wiring holes
Attic Access Hatches
Crawl Space Access Doors
Around Window & Door Frames
And more.

By air sealing your home, you maximize the amount of heat that stays in the structure, and prevent the travel of dust, pollen, pests and moisture into your home through these small intrusions.

3. Energy Efficient Doors & Windows

With updated, energy efficient windows and doors, drafts will be a thing of the past.

Windows and doors are notorious for air leakage, drafts, and poor insulation. Older homes suffer with this issue often, as they have a tendency to retain original features, such as woodwork, flooring, and windows and doors from the period of construction.

Dr. Energy Saver carries a line of high quality energy efficient windows and doors in attractive styles and sizes. Replacing your windows and doors when they’ve outlived their projected lifespan is in the homes best interest, as well as the homes heating systems. With drafts and inefficient windows and doors, HVAC systems must work harder, and in turn could potentially break down and require maintenance or replacement prematurely.

Finding a Home Insulation & Air Sealing Contractor

With professional guidance, you can save money and be more comfortable in your home, year round.

With a variety of services geared towards maximizing home comfort, energy efficiency, and money saving, Dr. Energy Saver is here for you this fall and winter season. We’ve built a home comfort and energy efficiency contracting network consisting of trusted, highly trained local contractors. Make an appointment for your home energy audit today! Once the source of heat loss has been detected, your local contractor will give you advice for next steps and offer a free estimate on the service they recommend. Reach out today for your free estimate!

How Dr. Energy Saver Can Help you Save on Energy This Energy Awareness Month

2020-10-29T00:00:00.05Z

National Energy Awareness Month was established in 1992 to promote the importance of sustanability to all life on earth.

Here in the United States, since the fall of 1991, October has been Energy Awareness Month. The whole month is dedicated to the knowledge, study and awareness of the importance of energy to our sustainability on earth. Everything is connected on our planet, so the conservation of energy is an important human endeavor.

Dr. Energy Saver was built upon the principles of energy conservation and money saving for the average homeowner. Founded in 2009, we work each day with homeowners and contractors to improve energy efficiency and comfort year round. With many services geared towards those main principles, and expertly trained contractors across the country, Dr. Energy Saver is here for you this Energy Awareness Month.

Our Energy Saving Services That Help You and the Environment

Insulation

Insulation is an essential part of any home

Dr. Energy Saver offers many home insulation services, including:
- Attic Insulation
- Wall Insulation<
- Basement Insulation<
- Crawl Space Insulation
- Garage Insulation
- Floor Insulation
- Duct Insulation
Proper homeinsulation with the correct R-values and installation can save a great deal of money through the year. Simply put, R-value determines the amount of heat retention allowed by the material to keep conditioned air from escaping. Not to mention, insulation provides comfort in the home and offers peace of mind knowing that a bit of extra money and energy are saved.
Duct Sealing

Sealing helps to stop air from escaping small gaps and cracks

The ducts within our homes function to carry air from the HVAC system to cycle through the home. These ducts, made of sheet metal, often have small gaps and cracks that allow air to seep through, meaning that you end up losing a significant amount of the air that you pay to heat or cool throughout the year.

Using a material known as Duct Mastic, a Dr. Energy Saver contractor can fill the cracks and gaps to stop conditioned air from escaping. Sealing your ducts can help save a significant amount of money, and prolong the life of your HVAC system, by allowing you to run the system less, and more efficiently than before.
Energy Efficient Windows and Doors

When windows age, seals can start to leak & let in drafts.

Windows and doors are notorious for air leakage and drafts, especially in older homes. Replacing outdated windows and doors can save a significant amount of money over time. Similarly to the gaps and cracks in ducts, small amounts of air can escape through leaky windows and doors. In the end, you end up losing the air that you pay to condition, and the comfort in your home suffers.

Dr. Energy Saver works closely with popular window and door manufacturers to provide our customers with attractive, durable and energy efficient windows at reasonable prices. We offer a variety of materials and styles for both windows and doors to choose from.
Air Sealing

Expansive foam fills cracks and gaps to prevent air leakage.

Air sealing is the practice of filling small cracks and gaps around the home to promote better heat and air retention within the structure. Using an injectable expanding foam, Dr. Energy Saver can fill cracks and gaps in areas like:
- Plumbing & Wiring Penetrations
- Chimney Penetrations
- Attic Access Hatches, Doors & Drop-Down Stairs
- Recessed Lights & Fans
- Gaps around Window & Door Moldings
- Cracks, Gaps & Holes in Plaster & Drywall
- Electrical Outlets & Switches
- Dropped Ceilings & Soffits
- Leaky Basement Windows
- Rim Joists
- And More!
Air Sealing, like duct sealing, can save a good deal of money, allowing your systems to work more efficiently and helping your home to retain the warmed or cooled air that you pay for. Not only can sealing up gaps and cracks around your home save you money, but it can vastly improve the comfort in your home as well.

Get Your Home Energy Audit Today

An Energy Audit can identify areas of the home to work on.

If you’re concerned about energy and air loss in your home, the first step is to reach out to the professionals here at Dr. Energy Saver for one of our home energy audits! This test can take as little as half an hour, and will detect air leakage and areas of improper insulation within the home to help get you started on the right path towards a more energy efficient home.

Here at Dr. Energy Saver, we value the trust that homeowners have always placed upon local businesses.This is why we created a dealer network of Energy Efficiency contractors across the United States, made up of individually owned, local businesses. We offer home energy audits, which help pinpoint where air leakage occurs around the home, and bring that to our customers each day.

If you’re looking to make your home more energy efficient, and save a few bucks, all while making your home more comfortable in the process--reach out for your free estimate and a home energy audit today!

Can Attic Insulation Cause Allergies?

2020-09-02T00:00:00.05Z

Like many construction materials, insulation has seen many innovations on the original idea of filling walls with random material to slow the spread of temperature within a structure. Unfortunately, not all of these new insulation materials are ideal for your health, and some can cause a host of allergic reactions and irritations, for a variety of reasons.

Which Insulation Material Is Best for Allergies?

This is a good question, but unfortunately it’s not one that many people think about when buying a home, or re-insulating a space. The material that you choose to place in the walls, attic and basement not only has a big impact on your home’s comfort and energy bill, but also on how your body reacts to it.

Of course, each person is different, and different materials could induce allergic reactions in various people in the home, while others remain unaffected. This is why it's so important to know your options and your family's individual sensitivities.

Spray foam is widely regarded as the best option for those with sensitivities and allergies, however let's take a look at what each option has for you:

Fiberglass Insulation: Usually pink or yellow colored, this fluffy, cotton candy looking material is actually interwoven with stands of glass.

What can it cause? These bits of glass can be knocked loose when the material is touched, jostled, or brushed against. When this happens, the particles can end up stuck in your skin, or floating into your nose, mouth or eyes, causing irritation and potentially severe reactions.

Foam Board Insulation: Compressed boards of insulating foam that can be used all around the house, and for tight areas such as ducting insulation and attic hatch doors, providing excellent thermal resistance, while also being flame retardant.

What can it cause? Over time, the flame retardant bromines are released into the air that we breathe. These chemicals can have a detrimental impact on internal organs such as the liver, and kidneys, while also irritating respiratory issues.

Blown-In or Loose Fill Insulation:An environmentally friendly choice, blown-in or loose fill insulation commonly composed of shredded, recycled newspaper or denim. It’s become a popular choice over recent years for it’s quick installation and effective insulating properties.

What can it cause? These materials tend to trap dust, dirt, dander, and pest allergens--as well as create dust themselves over time. This dust tends to make it down into the living space through various means, such as ducting and small gaps in the floor of the attic, causing the classic allergy symptoms of sneezing, coughing, itchy, watery eyes and stuffy noses.

Spray Foam Insulation: Spray foam is a non-degrading, flame retardant, highly insulating expansive foam that perfectly seals gaps and cracks while providing excellent r-values.

What can it cause? Because this material hardens once the foam sets, it doesn’t hold onto allergen material from pests or the surrounding environment, making it the best option for those more sensitive to allergens. Often the best option for people with various sensitivities.

If you've been experiencing new or worsening allergies in your home and are unsure where they're coming from, it’s best to speak to your doctor to discuss possible causes. Researching your symptoms is only the first step in figuring out what's causing the allergic reaction. With expert knowledge from a doctor, you can confidently consult with an insulation expert about the best insulation material for your attic.

Choosing An Attic Insulation Contractor

When selecting insulation for your attic, it’s always recommended that you reach out to an experienced professional for guidance. Knowing all the options and the information about those options can only make you more comfortable and secure in paying the money to insulate your home.

Here at Dr. Energy Saver, we have a large network of contractors across the continental US and Canada. Our dealers are real, local contractors with the experience and training to do the job right.

If you’re concerned that your insulation could be contributing to allergies and physical irritation in your home, reach out today for your free, no obligation estimate.

Does Attic Insulation Help In the Summer?

2020-06-19T00:00:00.05Z

The quick and simple answer is, yes, attic insulation does help in the summer. But to know why, that will need a little more explaining. There’s lots of science behind the insulation industry, and though it may seem fairly straight forward, it’s actually a little more complicated than what meets the eye.

How Attic Insulation Works in the Summer

When the summer sun beats down continually on your roof, hot and cold air tends to behave differently than it would in the colder, winter months. As we all know, attic insulation helps to keep our home feeling comfortable. As it works to keep us warm during harsh, winter weather, it also plays a major role in keeping us cool in the scorching heat of the summer. This can further be explained by what is called “The Stack Effect” and “The Reverse Stack Effect”.

The Stack Effect-We’ve all heard the age-old adage, “hot air rises.” and this statement is true, however, only sometimes. This is actually a reference to a natural process dubbed “The Stack Effect”. This process occurs during colder weather when the air in your home is typically much warmer than the outside air. The heat in your home will naturally rise to the highest areas of the structure, such as your attic, closest to the chill of the exterior, and the cold winter air. Acting as a way to retain the heat inside, attic insulation helps keep you and your family warm and comfortable.
The Reverse Stack Effect-If you’ve ever gone outside on a chilly day without a coat on, you know that your body gets cold very quickly. This is because heat is attracted to the cold, therefore the heat that your body produces automatically releases into the cold in an attempt to warm the air around you. This is the same reason why on a hot summer day when your AC unit is working to keep your home cool, the hot air outside is attracted to the much cooler temperature inside. This is commonly referred to as “the Reverse Stack Effect”. In this case, the insulation in your attic actually works to retain this cold air produced by your AC unit in your home, preventing warm air from entering.

On a usual hot summer day, the average attic in a fairly temperate region can reach up to 130 degrees Fahrenheit. As mentioned above, this Reverse Stack Effect helps retain this cool air in your home, shielding away any outdoor heat. Without proper insulation and air sealing in the summer, this heat can easily make its way through the home, raising the overall temperature an average of 10 degrees. This will do no good to your home in the summer, since your cooling systems will be forced to work overtime, resulting in higher energy bills, and the risk of overloading the system.

Of course, to avoid such issues, proper attic insulation is just as essential in the winter months as it is in the summer months. There are many different types of attic insulation options available, but how do you begin to choose the correct type for your home’s attic? This is where professional assistance is recommended. Here at Dr. Energy Saver, our contractors always perform free, no-obligation estimates and consultations so that you’re informed of just what your house needs to be in tip-top shape for any season.

Know your Attic Insulation Options

There are many different types of insulation that are used in homes including, but not limited to:

Blown-In Cellulose Insulation: A soft fluffy material made from recycled paper and pumped into walls and attics. This method of being blown-in provides a thick layer of insulation that provides great comfort to your home.
Rigid-Foam Insulation: Sturdy foam panels composed of hard plastics such as Polyurethane or Polystyrene among others. This insulation is known for being very durable and will not shift out of place.
Radiant Barrier Insulation: Thin boards of cardboard, kraft paper, or plastic films wrapped in highly reflective material, typically aluminum foil.
Air Sealing: Not an insulation per se, but important all the same, the process uses a foam composed of reactive compounds that create an expansive material to fill gaps and stop air leakage. Air sealing is used around smaller, common areas of air leakage, such as windows, doors, duct systems, and other wall cracks.

There are other things to keep in mind as well--such as R-value, or the insulations “Thermal Resistance”. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation will be, and the less you’ll have to worry about keeping your home temperate and comfortable.

If you’ve been having concerns about your attics insulation, our highly trained specialists are just a call away--so reach out today for your free, no-obligation estimate!

Are Air Leaks Costing You Money?

2020-05-22T00:00:00.05Z

As the summer heat becomes more and more intense, homeowners have to turn to their air conditioners and HVAC units to stay comfortable. The larger the home, the more air you need to cool, and this requires electricity, which costs money. Unfortunately, many homeowners are just throwing away their money in an attempt to cool their property because of air leaks that are allowing the cooled air to escape outside. Luckily, air leaks can be professionally sealed to stop this problem.

Does your home have air leaks?

The first step in fixing your air leak problem is identifying if you have a problem. Is your air conditioner constantly running? Is your energy bill higher than usual? These are the two biggest signs of having air leaks. You may also experience drafts or spots in your home that are drastically different in temperature.

It is also important to consider the history of your home. Older homes are more likely to have air leaks. This is often from shifting foundations and older, less precise construction methods. Sometimes, there are visible gaps where walls meet each other and where the wall meets the floors or ceiling.

Newer homes that have recently gone under some type of construction can also be left with air leaks. Remodeling and home additions don’t always perfectly seal every point. Storm damage and roof leaks will disrupt insulation and woodwork. If your property has gone through any of this, consider a home inspection to determine your home’s condition.

Where are air leaks most common in your home?

Air leaks are commonly found throughout the construction of a building. It is impossible to build a home without any of the features that coincide with air leaks. The most obvious culprits are doors, windows, and the joists of your home but there are several spots that are easy to forget.

Fireplaces
Attic Vents
Attic Doors
Electrical Outlets
Cable & Electrical Wire Entry Points
Pipes & Plumbing Entry Points

Take the time to examine your home and property. Finding air leaks and sealing them will help you stay comfortable and save you money. If you are unsure if you have air leaks, a specialist can help determine the condition of your home.

3 Ways Home Insulation Impacts Indoor Air Quality

2020-04-07T00:00:00.05Z

When was the last time you thought about the insulation in your attic?

Sure, it’s probably keeping your home more comfortable by preventing heat from escaping in the winter and heat from infiltrating in the summer. That’s a positive. However, if it’s old and contaminated, ineffective insulation can negatively affect the air you breathe in your home and even increase the negative health symptoms you experience.

Here are the three ways your old insulation can hurt the quality of your indoor air, commonly referred to as indoor air quality or IAQ, and how attic air sealing and new insulation can help.

1. Water Damage & Mold Issues

Water is the mortal enemy of insulation. In fact, moisture encountering your insulation will render it useless.

Water decreases the heat-resisting qualities of both fiberglass and cellulose insulation. Moisture will also accelerate the mold growth process. Unattended wet and moldy insulation can cause a number of symptoms for the people in your home, such as:

Sneezing
Runny nose and postnasal drip
Coughing and wheezing
Itchy and dry eyes, nose, and throat
Watery eyes
Dry skin and irritation
Fatigue
Trouble sleeping
Headaches
Nausea

If your allergy-like symptoms are in full force when you wake up in the morning, and seem to dissipate during the day while you’re away, then return after you arrive back home, you may be dealing with poor IAQ.

2. Pests

All sorts of pests such as mice, rats, birds, bats and insects are tempted to make their homes in the fuzzy insulation in your attics, where they will deposit their feces, urine and other waste.

These unwanted materials can be sucked into your breathing air or even your ductwork. If you have noticed this type of material in your attic, or if you hear pests in your walls, call a professional pest removal service as your first step.

Once you get rid of the pests, removing the contaminated insulation is your next step. Then, you will need to seal up all the holes, cracks, and penetration where air (and pests) can leak into your attic.

Finally, add a thick blanket of new cellulose such as TruSoft, ™ which is treated with a mineral that repels pests and insects, and will provide a more comfortable, energy efficient home with better indoor air quality.

3. VOCs & Indoor Pollutants

Did you know that the EPA estimates indoor air contains two to five times more contaminants than the air outside your home? You may be surprised to learn what is floating in the air you breathe, and where it is coming from.

You may have heard about vermiculite insulation that was contaminated with asbestos. Also, as insulation deteriorates, it can introduce more dust particles and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into your air. The most common sources of VOCs in a home are:

• Paints and paint products

• Wood preservatives in your building materials & furniture

• Household cleaners

• Office & crafting supplies

All of these can make allergy symptoms and allergic reactions, especially in older homes, much, much worse!

The Solution? Air Seal Your Attic and Upgrade Your Insulation!

Your health isn’t the only reason to upgrade your insulation — if your outdated fiberglass batt or blown-in insulation has deteriorated to the point of affecting your indoor air quality, it is affecting the overall comfort you experience living in your home! We can help you remove your old, ineffective and unhealthy insulation, air seal all the gaps and openings where pests, air and moisture can enter and professionally install new insulation. This work will make your home more comfortable, healthy and save you money on your heating and cooling bills throughout the year!

Is Your Home Prepared for The Summer Heat?

2020-03-13T00:00:00.05Z

Just as soon as your home becomes accustomed to the cold weather, Old Man Winter packs up his things to make room for the harsh summer sun to come and take over. Being too hot comes with a whole new set of problems than being too cold. You’ll want to make sure that your home is just as capable of keeping you and your family comfortable when the seasons change.

Should you turn your heating system off in the summer?

The first step to preparing your home for summer is to properly see to your heating system. This is an excellent time to clean and perform any regular maintenance for the system so that it isn’t sitting for months with dirt and grime all over it. If you don’t take the precautions of cleaning your system, you’re just allowing bacteria and germs to grow and populate so that they can be spread across your home once the heating system is turned back on.

After being properly serviced, you may want to shut down your system, depending on its type. Gas and oil furnaces that have their pilot light left on will continue to burn gas all through the season, just wasting your money. When shutting down your furnace, you want to make sure it is done correctly so you don’t risk damaging the system or harming the inhabitants in the home. It is always a good idea to have your HVAC company come and do this service to avoid any mistakes.

How do you prep your AC for the heat?

Homeowners will want to first make sure that it is warm enough to turn on the air conditioning. Most people find their homes are comfortable around 72°F, so any time it is hotter than that would be a good time to turn it on. While you can run an AC on colder days, you will run the risk of freezing up the unit. Running your AC on days that are cooler than 60°F can actually damage the unit.

Once you’ve determined it is time to turn your air conditioning on, you can make sure your unit is still in operating condition. If you did not have your AC serviced when you went into the winter, you may have to clean the ducts, change filters, and see to other parts that may be too difficult for a non-professional to reach and address. Having your AC expertly serviced will keep it running properly during the season.

If you activate your AC and find that your home isn’t being cooled by, at least, 20° or it seems to be running constantly, it may need additional servicing. Should you run across any of these problems, have a professional look at your air conditioning to determine if it can be repaired or if it needs a full replacement. Once these issues are addressed, you’ll be ready to face the harsh summer heat!

Is Your HVAC System Making You Sick During Flu Season?

2020-02-13T00:00:00.05Z

This time of year, we try to stay in the comfort of our properly heated homes. Being in the middle of the winter season, your heating systems have been running for some time, passing a massive amount of air that has been trapped in an enclosed space through it. Just by running, your HVAC and air ducts will accumulate dust and other debris that can be found in the air. But what about germs and other airborne pathogens?

Are there germs in your air vents?

When you enter your heated home, are you sneezing? Is your throat sore, making you cough? Have you noticed repeating headaches? If the answer to these questions is “yes”, you might have a problem. The most common issue is mold. The dust and moisture that usually builds in your HVAC ducts naturally support mold growth. Most people react to mold in the same way you would a pollen allergy, with the symptoms listed above. There are, however, types of mold that can cause more severe health issues, and there are also people that will react more violently to being exposed to mold than other people.

Is your HVAC system spreading the flu?

The flu and the common cold are caused by viruses. These viruses don’t usually live outside of a body for more than a few hours, making your heating system an unlikely living place for the flu or the cold. However, a heating system without any filtration or with old and dirty filters will do nothing but help spread viruses throughout your entire home.

Besides viruses and mold, there is also the threat of bacteria to consider. Dirty air conditioning, heating, and air duct systems will allow bacteria to grow. A prime example of this is Legionnaires’ disease. Legionnaires’ disease is a type of pneumonia that, while being rare, can be very dangerous. Most people exposed to the bacteria take time to manifest symptoms and those symptoms can be confused for allergies before developing into something more serious. A medical examination will be required for a proper diagnosis and antibiotics need to be taken in order to treat the illness.

Can you sanitize your air ducts?

If someone in your house is under the weather and that illness is airborne, your air ducts might as well be a freeway for these germs. To stop this from happening, high-quality filters need to be installed on your vents and regularly changed. This will not only stop your system from spreading the flu but also help clean the air in general, creating a healthier space in your home. Replacing your filters, along with clearing your air ducts of dust and debris, will help keep everyone in your home happy and healthy.

The Importance of Maintaining Your Furnace

2019-12-18T00:00:00.05Z

Many homeowners make the mistake of waiting until there is a problem to have their heating systems looked at by a professional. It is far too common a scenario that, once it gets cold out, the furnace is turned on and everyone in the house discovers there still isn't any heat. Now, the house is freezing and expensive, emergency repairs are needed. Worst case, a whole new heating system may be required. All of this could have been avoided with regular maintenance. Servicing and cleaning your heating system helps keep your home comfortable, lowers your energy bill, and can save your life.

What is wrong with my heating system?

Common problems include unusual noises, smells, and cycling issues. Does your furnace shut off after a few minutes? Does it not shut off at all? Is it only blowing cold air? If you are experiencing these symptoms, you might have a problem with your thermostat or you may just need to have your system cleaned.

While some of these problems may seem small and you might want to put off spending money on them, doing so would be a mistake. When your home heating system is dirty or in need of maintenance, its efficiency severely drops. This means it is actually costing you more money to heat your home than it would if it were serviced. Also, running an inefficient unit adds wear and tear. This is going to lead to more costly repairs down the road or even needing to replace your whole heating system.

Is my home heating system dangerous?

Depending on what type of system you have, if there is something wrong with it, you might be putting everyone in your house in jeopardy. A poorly maintained gas furnace can lead to gas leaks, usually from damaged valves or cracks in the actual furnace. If you notice an odd smell in the home, seek assistance immediately.

Another danger to be aware of is carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless byproduct of burning fuel. If you have a problem with your furnace, you may be leaking carbon monoxide into your home without realizing it. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headaches, nausea, dizziness, and chest pains. According to the CDC, in the United States, over 20,000 people each year experience carbon monoxide poisoning and over 400 die from it.

Installing a carbon monoxide detector in your home can help warn you when there is a problem. If you want to lower your odds of having a problem at all, have your heating system professionally maintained and cleaned on a regular basis. There is no level of inconvenience that outweighs being responsible. Servicing your furnace isn’t just about saving money-- it’s about protecting your family and ensuring the safety of everyone in your home.

Dr. Energy Saver Now Offering Premium Steel and Fiberglass Entry Doors

2018-05-16T20:06:11.05Z

Sunrise Windows has acquired Paragon Windows & Doors, a maker of premium steel, fiberglass, and storm doors. This means Dr. Energy Saver will now be able to offer its customers more options for making their homes more comfortable and energy efficient.

Paragon products are handcrafted at their cutting-edge facility in Louisville, Kentucky. They use the most advanced components, precise engineering, and proven construction methods for their entry doors that are built to last a lifetime. Many of the door models are ENERGY STAR certified and offer better thermal efficiency and security. Their specialty doors Paragon Severe Weather Doors are specially engineered to protect from destructive weather.

Paragon doors come with a 10-year warranty on paint, frames, and finish; a 20-year warranty against glass seal failure; and a lifetime warranty on decorative accessories and hardware. Paragon doors offer several benefits:

Energy Efficiency

Paragon doors feature thick, thermally-sealed glass and a solid polyurethane core that make them five times more energy efficient than wood doors.

Long-Lasting Beauty

Paragon doors come in 21 paint and 8 stain finishes. The specially formulated industrial coatings from PPG are factory-applied and oven cured to ensure a hard, durable finish that will last for years.

Superior Weather Protection

xGen™ high-performance glass frame withstands the punishment of weather better than competitors’ frames and features an industry-leading 10-year warranty.

Security

A Grade 1 rated deadbolt and steel lock reinforcement plate make Paragon doors provide the best residential security available.

About Dr. Energy Saver

Dr. Energy Saver is a part of the largest and fastest growing network of home energy and comfort retrofit contractors in the world. The company was established in 2009 by Larry Janesky, founder and owner of Contractor Nation, a family of home improvement-related companies. Contractor Nation is headquartered in Seymour, Connecticut.

Improve Home Insulation with Tight 'n True™

2018-05-16T15:07:56.05Z

The experts at Dr. Energy Saver now offer enhanced insulation with Tight 'n True™, which optimizes home energy usage and is guaranteed to lower utility bills. A closed-cell foam encapsulation system provides extra sealing power to existing duct wrap, delivering airtight protection and heat resistance while recovering insulation value.

Benefits of duct encapsulation:

Superior R-value per inch
Recovers insulation value from existing duct insulation
Highly-efficient with performance-enhancing add-ons

Maximize the insulating performance

When Tight 'n True™ is combined with TruSoft™ blown-in attic insulation, ducts are heavily guarded under tightly-secured cellulose insulation. In uncovered attics and crawl spaces, insulation and the Tight 'n True Duct Encapsulation system can add significant R-value and energy-saving capabilities.

About Dr. Energy Saver

Dr. Energy Saver Launches New Dealership Opportunity: Attic Systems™

2017-06-13T12:41:16.05Z

Dr. Energy Saver®, the leading network of home energy and comfort retrofit contractors in North America, has launched a new division, called Attic Systems™.

The vast majority of homeowners in America suffer from serious comfort and health issues in their homes because of two major problems:

Heating and cooling system ductwork placed in attics, the most hostile environment in the home, and;
Their attics being insulated without first being air sealed.

Many home builders and contractors make a huge mistake by installing heating and cooling ductwork in attics. Attics can be 30 degrees or colder in the winter, effectively turning ducts in attics into re-cooling lines. The air homeowners’ just paid to heat is cooled off before it reaches the rooms the customer wants to make warmer. In summer, the opposite occurs. Ducts sitting in 140 degree+ attics are re- heating lines for the air that homeowners’ just paid to cool, making it nearly impossible to make rooms cooler. Plus, the heating and cooling systems run much, much longer, increasing fuel and electric bills and wasting energy.

Homeowners believe that adding additional insulation in their attics will fix rooms that are too hot or too cold, and reduce high energy bills. Unfortunately, many insulation contractors simply add more batts without sealing all the gaps and cracks in attic floors. The air flowing through these holes deposit dirt in fiberglass batts, reducing their ability to resist heat flow, and lower their insulation value. Insulating attic floors without air sealing is malpractice!

Attic Systems dealers are taught how to identify and fix these problems the right way, delivering effective and affordable solutions to homeowners’ comfort and health concerns, while reducing their high heating and cooling bills. Attic Systems dealers are trained to help homeowners fully understand what it takes to fix their attics correctly and completely.

Attic Systems is a great add on service offering for HVAC, roofing and pest control contractors that already have sales and service team members in attics.

For more information: Please visit atticsystemsdealer.atticsystemsdealerships.com for more information on attic insulation dealership opportunities.

About Dr. Energy Saver: Dr. Energy Saver is a part of the largest and fastest growing network of home energy and comfort retrofit contractors in the world. The company was established in 2009 by Larry Janesky, founder and owner of Contractor Nation, a family of over seven leading home improvement related companies.

Dr. Energy Saver Has Fixed 20,000 Uncomfortable Homes

2017-05-03T14:35:48.05Z

Dr. Energy Saver, the world’s leading network of home energy retrofit contractors, recently fixed the 20,000^th customer’s uncomfortable home. Dr. Energy Saver’s mission is to Fix 100,000 Uncomfortable Homes for homeowners by 2020. Larry Janesky, company founder and C.E.O., stated, “Each contractor in the Dr. Energy Saver national network is working hard every day to solve persistent comfort and energy wasting issues that homeowners have suffered with in their homes for years.”

Our dealers’ collective goal to help as many homeowners as possible. In the process of identifying and fixing homes that are uncomfortable, Dr. Energy Saver dealers reduce fuel and electric bills and lower the cost of home ownership.

Halco and Dr. Energy Saver to Present at ACCA Building Performance Forum October 1-2,2013

2013-06-28T15:31:19.05Z

Hal Smith, co-owner of Halco, a nationally recognized home performance contractor and Marc Tannenbaum, Vice President of Dr. Energy Saver®, the #1 home performance contracting dealership network in the US, are pleased to announce that they will be presenting at the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) Building Performance Forum in Austin, TX October 1-2, 2013. ACCA, the leading trade association representing professional indoor environment and energy businesses and professionals, hosts this forum annually as the only educational conference that brings together the top home and building performance professionals in the nation.

Halco, which provides full energy solutions for residential and commercial clients, performs approximately 100 home energy audits per week. As an authorized Dr. Energy Saver® dealer, Halco has incorporated Dr. Energy Saver’s® proprietary sales and sales software systems into their processes, dramatically improving their overall results.

During their presentation, Hal and Marc will review and walk through a proven kitchen table presentation, demonstrating how an improved sales process and software program can increase revenue. By getting customers involved within the planning process they become stakeholders and become more invested. The interaction allows them the opportunity to voice concerns and contribute input, giving them more of an incentive to work with you and your company over the competition.

Visit Dr. Energy Saver Dealership Opportunities for more information.

With 60 locations in 28 states, Dr. Energy Saver® dealers help fix uncomfortable homes, reducing home heating fuel and electric costs, and in the process, lowering the cost of home ownership for thousands of homeowners all over the U.S. Homeowners can rely on Dr. Energy Saver® to help them objectively assess how their homes use and lose energy and waste money, and to make the best prescription for energy saving investments. Dr. Energy Saver® dealers will recommend and install solutions in the areas where the homeowner will get the most benefit in energy savings, health and comfort, given their budget.

Dr. Energy Saver®, headquartered in Seymour, CT was established in 2009 by Larry Janesky, founder and owner of Team Basement Systems, with over 450 dealers in four other home improvement industries. Larry recognized that most homeowners want to make energy efficiency improvements in their homes, but are unaware of how best to reduce their energy and utility bills. Dr. Energy Saver® has developed a comprehensive system to help homeowners achieve more comfortable, healthier and energy efficient homes. The company began adding dealers in 2010, allowing other successful home improvement contractors to get into and dominate their local markets for home energy conservation assessments and retrofits.

Leading Home Performance Dealership is ACCA Corporate Partner

2013-06-28T15:11:49.05Z

Dr. Energy Saver®, the #1 home performance contracting dealership network in the US, is pleased to announce that it has become a corporate sponsor of the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA), the leading trade association representing professional indoor environment and energy businesses and professionals.

With 60 locations in 28 states, Dr. Energy Saver dealers help fix uncomfortable homes, reducing home heating fuel and electric costs, and in the process, lowering the cost of home ownership for thousands of homeowners all over the U.S. Homeowners can rely on Dr. Energy Saver® to help them objectively assess how their homes use and lose energy and waste money, and to make the best prescription for energy saving investments. Dr. Energy Saver® will recommend and install solutions in the areas where the homeowner will get the most benefit in energy savings, health and comfort, given their budget.

Dr. Energy Saver® is uniquely positioned to help successful home improvement contractors expand their market and grow their revenue opportunities. Our innovative marketing programs are helping our dealers get into more homes and our proven sales processes are helping our dealers close more sales.

Dr. Energy Saver, headquartered in Seymour, CT was established in 2009 by Larry Janesky, founder and owner of Team Basement Systems, with over 450 dealers in four other home improvement industries. Larry recognized that most homeowners want to make energy efficiency improvements in their homes, but are unaware of how best to reduce their energy and utility bills. Dr. Energy Saver® has developed a comprehensive system to help homeowners achieve more comfortable, healthier and energy efficient homes. The company began adding dealers in 2010, allowing other successful home improvement contractors to get into and dominate their local markets for home energy conservation assessments and retrofits.

For additional information to see if your area is available for at Dr. Energy Saver Dealership Opportunity.

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Leading Home Performance Dealership is ACCA Corporate Partner