High Temps? Keep Your Cool
- By Christine Scott
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- 07 Jun, 2018
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- Close Your Blinds. Over 30 percent of the unwanted heat in your home comes through your windows. Using shades, curtains, and blinds can help reduce this heat and even lower temperatures in your home by a whopping twenty degrees. Invest in blackout curtains for additional benefits - these curtains block the sunlight to reduce ambient heat by 33 percent.
- Close Off Rooms. Shutting the door to rooms you are not using during the day will help cool your home by preventing cold air from going into these areas and concentrating it in areas you are using. This hack will also help keep you cool at night, too!
- Install Ceiling Fans. Consider installing ceiling fans to help circulate air through your home and reduce the strain on your air conditioner. Set your ceiling fans to move counter-clockwise to keep you cool in the summer and clockwise in cooler months to keep air circulating without giving you a chill.
- Another Word About Fans. Also, you can use box fans to help move air around and reduce temperatures. Here's a fan hack to help you stay cool: Place a large bowl of ice or a bowl with an ice pack in front of your box fan at an angle, so the fan picks up that cool air over the bowl and sends it your way.
- Stay Hydrated. If you're going to be outside this summer, be sure to drink enough water to keep your body cool and hydrated while you're out and about. Take frequent breaks inside in cooler temps, too.
- Think About New Windows. Do you have single pane windows? If so, it may be time to think about an upgrade. Single pane windows allow more heat into your home, raising the temperature and making your air conditioner work harder. If you want to upgrade your windows and lower your cooling (and heating costs), contact Scott Exteriors at 214-503-7663 for more information on your window replacement options.
Did you know that the average electric bill in Texas is $128.50? Are you surprised? Does that seem low to what you're paying each month? If your electric bill is double, triple, or even quadruple (gulp!) this amount, your home be costing you tons of money because it is not energy-efficient.
Here are some examples of how the loss of energy efficiency can add up:
Lack of Insulation
Poorly-insulated attics and bad roofing insulation can lead to a 25 percent of energy loss within your home. Replacing insulation and installing a high-quality roof can help to regulate the temperatures inside your home and reduce your energy bills by more than 20 percent.
Old Siding
Old or outdated siding can not only negatively impact your Fort Worth home's curb appeal, but it can also cause your pocketbook to take a hit, too. How? If your exterior siding is in disrepair or lacks quality foam underlayment, your home is leaking energy.
Poor Seals
If the seals around your doors are damaged or missing, you could be leaking more than 20 percent of the air out of your home. Updating your seals can help reduce air loss and help lower your heating and cooling bills. Additionally, replacing your exterior doors with those that help to better block air flow can help keep your home at a consistent temperature.
Outdated Windows
Did you know that each year, consumers lose around $35 billion in energy dollars as a direct result of having inefficient windows? This is because old, drafty windows allow for the escape of at least 10 percent of air, which translates to higher energy costs for you. You can stop the flow of air (and money) out of your home by replacing your windows with new, more energy-efficient models.
Is your home leaking air? Scott Exteriors can help with a new roof, insulation, siding, and new windows! Call us at 817-476-3600 to schedule a consultation.
We think it is the perfect time to talk about our two favorite things: roofing (of course) and turkey. You may be wondering how on Earth Scott Exteriors can connect these two topics, but trust us; we can!
Talking About Roofing
We love to talk about roofing because, well, we are a professional roofing company, after all! Some things we want you to know about roofing include:
Your roof is important. Your roof is one of the most critical elements of your Plano home; it keeps you and your belongings safe and protected from the outside elements. Therefore, you should have your roof inspected each year to make sure it is in good repair
Your roof is an investment. We recognize that a new roof can be costly, but delaying repairs or replacement, you could result in expensive damage down the road. When you invest in replacing your roof, you are putting money back into your property and also extending the life of your home. As a result, it is crucial to hire a professional roofing company to get the very best workmanship for your money.
Okay, but What About Turkey?
Turkey tastes great. Turkey is one of the best parts of November, of course! It is delicious and often means days of leftovers for sandwiches, hash, potpies, and soups.
But, how does turkey relate to roofing? Here's how; there are 1,000 fires each year and hundreds of injuries, not to mention millions of dollars of property damage each year caused by people catching their houses on fire while attempting to deep-fry turkeys. In fact, Texas leads the nation in turkey frying-related injuries each Thanksgiving!
You can avoid this and prevent other damage or injuries by following these basic safety rules:
· Do not fry a turkey inside your home
· Do not fry a turkey under any overhang, in an enclosure, or on a wooden deck
· Do not fry a turkey under the eaves of your house
· Do not move the fryer after the turkey is in it and cooking
· Do make sure the surface you are frying on is level and solid, such as concrete
· Do wear protective gear and safety goggles
· Do keep a working fire extinguisher close by
· Never allow children or pets near the fryer
There you have it; we have connected roofing and turkey! We hope you have a great and safe Thanksgiving holiday and the rest of the year!
It doesn't matter if it is spring, summer, fall, or winter if your home is not sealed correctly or your windows are letting the outside temperatures in, your electric bill (and your wallet!) are going to take a hit. Find out how you can help keep costs under control with a few easy steps and a little help from Scott Exteriors!
Add Window Treatments. Adding in window treatments such as blinds, shades, and curtains can help keep out drafts and cold. Open these window treatments during the day to let sunlight stream in and close them at night to keep cold air out.
Don't Forget to Add a Draft Stopper . You can find door draft stoppers online or even make one yourself. Lay the door draft stopper in front of your exterior door to block cold air from coming underneath.
Add Some Insulation. Have you noticed a significant spike in heating or cooling costs? If so, your problem may be in your attic. Consider adding extra insulation to keep your home more efficient.
Check Your Windows. Are your windows very old? If so, you may find that storm windows can help add an additional layer of protection against the outside elements during the winter. Also, we recommend that you check the caulking around your windows to make sure you don't have cracks that allow cold winter air to enter your home. Replaced dried or damaged caulk if you see it. While you're at it, check your doors, too!
If your windows are very old and drafty, you may want to consider replacing them with new, energy-efficient windows. Scott Exteriors offers many quality window products that can not only make your home more energy-efficient, they can also make your home more beautiful, too! Learn more about what we offer by calling us at 214-503-7663 for more information.
Pumpkin Carving
- Oversee children carving pumpkins and do not let young children use knives. Allow them to draw their designs on the pumpkin and then cut it out yourself.
- If you do not want to carve your pumpkins, you can allow children to paint their pumpkins or decorate them with stickers, glitter, or markers.
- Although candles are the traditional way to light up carved pumpkins, we suggest that you a safer method such as a glow stick or flameless candle.
Costumes
- Select brightly colored costumes for your child or children. Bright colors make your child visible and keeps them safe as they trick or treat.
- Ensure that the costumes you pick fit properly and are not a tripping hazard.
- Substitute face paint or makeup for face masks to fully see and avoid hazards.
Trick or Treating
- If you are heading out to trick or treat, we suggest that you choose streets that are well-lit and have sidewalks. Do not allow children to walk in the roadway.
- Inspect each piece of candy collected to look for signs it was tampered with or opened. Discard affected pieces.
Decorating
If you believe in "going big or going home" when it comes to decorating for Halloween, and that involves hanging decorations from your roof, we caution you to take care and these tips into consideration:
- Use a buddy system when using a ladder to hang decorations on your roof; while you climb that ladder, the other person holds the ladder steady on the ground.
- Take caution when climbing onto your roof.
- Do not attach decorations to your shingles or gutters.
- Make sure that inflatables are away from power sources.
- Ensure electric decorations are adequately grounded.
- Do not tear down lights or decorations from the ground. Instead, use a ladder to reach and remove what items you put up.
- Do not overload breakers.
Are you looking for a professional roofing company for all your roofing needs? Look no further than Scott Exteriors! Call 214-503-7663 to find out more about our roofing, siding, and window offerings.
Before we go further, we should define soffit and fascia:
The soffit is the board that connects your home's siding and its roof. The soffit is found under the fascia boards, which connect your gutters to your roof.
In Texas, soffit boards are frequently at risk of water damage because of overflowing gutters. (Find out the importance of cleaning out your gutters here.). If gutters are overflowing because they are blocked by debris or because they are not installed correctly or are damaged, water can rot the soffit and fascia. Rotting soffit and fascia mean your home is at risk of expensive and dangerous water damage.
If the soffit and fascia of your home are rotting or you are concerned that you may have water damage to these critical components, it is time to call in a professional roofing company such as Scott Exteriors for help.
However, doesn't Scott Exteriors do roof repairs and replacements? Yes, we do, but we also offer a wide range of siding solutions to repair damaged siding, and we can help replace rotting soffit and fascia.
Taking these steps can help protect your home from costly water damage; when soffit and fascia begin to rot, the structure of your home is impacted, and if left untreated, may cause thousands of dollars of repairs to remedy.
We also have the experience to look at your roof and gutters to ensure that water is draining properly. Find out more about Scott Exteriors and how we can help by calling 214-503-7663.
Why is September a Great Time to Check Your Roof?
Having your roof inspected in September allows you time to get your roof repaired or replaced before the calendar eases into the colder months.
Having your roof inspected in September does not mean you’re done with your roof for the year, however. One thing you need to do is check your roof for routinely is falling leaves piling up on your roof. While falling leave may not seem to be all that dangerous when leaves are wet on your roof that also means your roof is wet. Wet leaves can add extra weight to your roof – which also translates into the potential for leaks and expensive damage.
- Keep trees near your Plano, Texas, home trimmed
- If you notice leaves piling up on your roof, call Scott Exteriors for an inspection/removal
- Keep your gutters clean to allow water to drain properly away from the eaves of your home.
Time to Paint. One of the ways you can give your home a new look is to paint. Painting your trim and your front door a new color can make your home pop and probably make you smile when you come home!
Add Shutters. If you don't have shutters or your current shutters are old, or in disrepair, you may want to think about adding high-quality shutters to your home to frame your windows and give your house a classic look.
Get a New Garage Door. Most people do not consider garage doors when they are taking care of their exterior maintenance. As a result, garage doors can become dirty, dingy, and dented over time. Replacing your garage door with a new door with gables or even covered with cedar can take your property to the next level.
Step Up Siding. Do you have vinyl or old cement board siding on your home? You may find that pressure washing it just doesn't do the trick anymore and painting it seems like a hassle. If you're looking to make a significant exterior change, think about new siding. Scott Exteriors offers both high-quality vinyl and Hardi Plank fiber cement options in a wide variety of colors.
Invest in Windows. Upgrading your windows is an excellent way to boost your home's appearance and value. You will also find that new windows are more energy-efficient, which means lower heating and cooling costs for you.
These upgrades will make your home feel new again, and if you do decide to sell, after all, your new-and-improved curb appeal will attract buyers!
Learn more about how Scott Exteriors can help you update your home today by calling 214-503-7663.
