Lowering your home's energy costs will save you money for as long as you live there. Older homeowners have felt the sting of rising energy costs over the years; however, there are also some early adopters among younger buyers. The San Joaquin Valley has a very hot summer and a very cold winter due to its Mediterranean climate. Lowering energy costs is very appealing to residents and business owners in the Valley who want to reduce their energy bill.

The following home upgrades pay off the most:

1. High Efficient Windows and Doors

The government’s Energy Star program says that Energy Star certified windows and doors with windows can lower your home’s energy bills up to 15 percent. After 1 year of having replaced single pane windows, homeowners saw an average of $101 to $583 in savings from reduced energy costs. After a year of replacing double-pane, clear glass windows, homeowners saved an average of $27 to $197 dollars in energy costs. For those who are more environmentally concerned, an average of 1,006–6,205 pounds of CO2 are reduced after 1 year of replacing single-pane windows. 246–2,001 pounds of CO2 are reduced after 1 year of replacing double-pane, clear glass windows.

Today, advanced window technology comes at affordable and reasonable prices. Homeowners are opting to replace their older, single pane windows with new, dual pane windows. Dual pane windows are made up of 2 panes. In between the panes of glass, there is a vacuum or gas that work to reduce heat transfer. These windows are insulated and help to seal air leaks as well as keep your power bill down.

Don’t forget to read our blog titled, “Energy Efficient Windows: Everything You Need To Know”

2. New Roofing

This upgrade will help reduce fears of water damage, ice dams, rodent infestations, and other disasters that come along with old roofs. Did you know that Leaking roofs are one of the common causes of mold and rotting on insulation, sheathing, framing, and drywall? A new roof increases home value and makes your home look a lot more attractive. It also saves you a lot of money in the long run by avoiding all the heavy expenses of needing to repair the damages caused by older roofing.

In Fresno, over a quarter of energy loss occurs through your roof. Have you ever considered having yours restored? Our Fresno roofing experts know exactly what you need, and we can help update your roof with a variety of choices and energy-efficient solutions.

3. Exterior Paint

Paint keeps your home looking its best while also defending its surfaces from wear, tear, and the elements. Exterior paint can provide many benefits such as sealing off areas with air leaks and preventing termite damage. All of this can save you tons of money in the long run. At Vezina Industries, we work with solar-reflective paint. This paint acts as a thermal barrier for your home or buildings by reflecting the hot rays of the sun. The United States’ Department of Energy says exterior paint has reduced energy costs up to 22 percent in areas that normally use air conditioning.

4. Insulation

According to Energy Star, air leaks are responsible for about 30 to 40 percent of heating and cooling loss. Insulation helps to keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter by sealing up those air leaks. About 9 out of 10 homes in the US are under insulated.

At Vezina Industries, we use the following Pink Panther insulation:

Thermafiber® residential mineral wool blankets are ideal for insulating walls, floor/ceilings, and attic spaces in homes. These products provide a high R-value/inch, excellent sound attenuation characteristics and outstanding fire performance. Products are also inorganic, non-combustible, and mold resistant. Additionally, if you have allergies, there is insulation for that! PureSafety® is the world’s first certified asthma & allergy friendly insulation. Pure Safety is a high performance insulation that has up to 65% less dust and is mold and mildew resistant. It’s Class A fire rated and reduces noise up to 50%. Click Here to read more on the reasons for why home insulation is critical.

5. HVAC

Upgrading your Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems can significantly reduce your energy bills. Vezina Industries offers the following HVAC services: AC Installation, Heating Installation, Indoor Air Quality, Water Heaters, AC Repairs, Heating Repairs, Maintenance, and Whole-House Zoning. As much as half of your home’s energy usage goes to heating and cooling. To lower your energy bill, maybe consider upgrading your home HVAC systems with Energy Star qualified equipment by calling a contractor.

Vezina Industries helps you create and maintain a healthy indoor environment in your home or commercial building, with systems that reduce utility costs, use less energy and allow you to live and work, year-round, in comfortable indoor spaces. As a full-service heating and air conditioning company, we come fully equipped to handle even the most complex HVAC jobs. Whether you are looking for repair, maintenance or replacement services in the Fresno area, we will get the job done right – the first time. And that’s not the end of the story: Our knowledge-endowed techs boast decades of combined experience and an impeccable reputation for exceeding customer expectations.

6. Solar Panels

Solar panels are an evolving technology. The prices of solar panels have become cheaper, and their ability to capture the sun’s photons and convert them to electricity is becoming more efficient. Additionally, according to the Department of Energy, they increase a home’s value by about 15,000 dollars. You can save anywhere between an estimate of $500 to $1,500 dollars per year in energy costs.

Let’s not forget the tax benefits that come along with going solar. We specialize in connecting you with the maximum tax credits available. If you live in Fresno or the surrounding cities found within the San Joaquin Valley, please call us so we can give you a free, no-obligation estimate. What’s more, our installers are trained and state-certified to guarantee that your experience will be of the worry-free variety, and our office handles all the paperwork so you are free to go about your busy life.

Despite its numerous benefits, there are still skeptics when it comes to investing in solar power. There are many misconceptions about this renewable energy solution. Read our blog titled, “TOP 5 SOLAR MISCONCEPTIONS AND MYTHS” to Learn More.

7. Fireplace Insert

Homes with fireplaces are now required to upgrade to EPA Phase II certified inserts. There are rebates available for qualifying California homeowners based on such factors like the age and location of your home (San Joaquin Valley Residents Only). These rebates can get you a FREE FIREPLACE. Inserts improve the efficiency of fireplaces over 70 percent and help to burn cleaner fires. Fireplace inserts can increase home value and curb appeal since the insert adds a sleek appearance to any old fireplace.