Energy Efficiency in the Home
There are many ideas and opinions about conserving energy that simply aren’t true today. Alumawood would like to share the truth about energy efficiency in the home. For example, did you know that using a patio shade structure can dramatically decrease your energy bill? Over the years, there have been many changes in technology, and some of the original ideas about saving energy have changed throughout the past decades. Here are some myths that we can clarify for you.
• As an individual (or family) can it really make a difference if we conserve energy? While it is true that one household or business may not make a big difference, if we add up all the households and businesses and total their energy usage over time it obviously does make a big difference overall.
• If we put our thermostats extremely low or high will we be cooler or hotter sooner? This myth is not true with modern heating and air conditioning units. What we all should do is set our thermostat at the desired temperature and leave it alone! There is no advantage to setting it at extreme highs or lows!
• Should we turn our lights on and off when we leave or enter a room? Years ago this was true but with today’s electrical metering it does not make a difference. The short spike of energy when a light is turned on is so minimal that it does not really affect the amount of energy you are using, and consequently it does not increase the cost of your electricity!
• Does it shorten the life of a light bulb or even a computer when it is turned on and off?
The answer to this one is no! The life of your light bulb is based on the length of time or hours it is used, so turning it off actually extends its life. As for your computer the answer is the same. Simply turn it off at the end of the day.
• If we do choose to be energy conscientious won’t it inevitably mean we will be cold in the winter months and hot in summer months? We will never be comfortable! The truth is that energy waste is the main problem. An old furnace or air conditioning unit, or lack of insulation should be of more concern. If we can ignore out dated energy saving practices and optimize our usage of energy we can be comfortable at home or at work!
As you can see there are many outdated myths regarding energy conservation and efficiency. By using a patio shade structure, you can limit the amount of sunlight heating up your house (or, inversely keep the heat in your house during the colder months by effectively blocking the wind and shielding your home from the elements). Remember, every little bit helps in the conservation of energy!
Alumawood is a family of patio cover systems that have been designed with every detail in mind. Our products provide consumers with an aesthetically pleasing, functional and long-lasting product available a variety of styles and colors. For years, our name has stood for value and innovation in the patio coverings industry. For quality, beauty and durability in your patio cover like you’ve never experienced before, find your nearest dealer of Alumawood products today. Stay up-to-date by finding us on Facebook and Twitter. Also, subscribe to our YouTube channel and keep up with our blog for the latest updates.
