Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

By Hedrick Lepsch


Water stains on your ceilings and walls are an indication of a leak somewhere in your home. If the stain is on your ceiling, it is likely that the leak is somewhere on your roof. Roof leaks can be difficult to find and take a measure of patience and dedication to locate.

If you pay attention and take the time to catch the leak and fix it quickly, quite often the fix is easy and inexpensive. The longer that you allow water to damage your home, the more expensive the fix becomes. Any discoloration, dripping noises, and appearance of wetness should be examined immediately.

Solar trash cans are popping up in cities across the nation, and it's easy to see why. A solar panel sits on top of the can, soaking in the sun's rays all day. Meanwhile, the can compresses all the garbage thrown in, and sends out a signal when it's ready to be emptied. Estimates are that solar trash cans reduce the costs of fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by 80%. That equates to huge savings for any municipality that invests in them. Before too long you'll be seeing one on a street corner near you.

Conserving energy doesn't require that you make your life uncomfortable by freezing in the winter and boiling in the summer. It simply requires that you be more conscious about the choices you make. Take time to turn off lights when you aren't using them and unplug your appliances if they are sitting unused.

Use your flashlight to locate any visible water trails, making sure to check the roof uphill of where your water damage appears. If you need to, examine the area during a rain storm. If you'd rather not wait for a storm, you may also take a hose up to your roof and let water run over the suspected areas until the leak appears. Light will reflect off the water as it runs in through the leak, so continue to play your light over the area where you think the leak may be.

Solar powered plane

Look for holes in rubber seals, check the edges of your chimney and if all else fails, begin to remove shingles around the area where you think the leak may be. As you remove shingles, look for signs of mold or discoloration of any kind.

Fixing the Leak

Taiwan recently completed a 50,000 seat stadium that gets 100% of its energy from the 8,844 solar panels mounted on its roof. The stadium has a cool dragon shape, and it is multi-purpose but used mainly for rugby.

Next, take a look at your windows and doors. Replace them with energy star rated fixtures. Install solar film or shades on the windows if needed to help provide additional insulation from exterior temperatures. Make sure that your roof is repaired and fully insulated. Planting trees on the east and south sides of your home will provide shade and help keep your home more temperate in the winter and summer. When you're able, consider installing a solar mounting system to help offset your overall energy consumption.

Keep in mind that these suggestions are for shingled roofing. If you have steel roofing or some other kind of material protecting your home, you will want to consult with a roofing specialist to know the best way to go about locating your roof leak.




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