How to Apply for Weatherization Grants to Reduce Your Home Energy Bills | ehow.com
The US government's Weatherization Assistance Program is available to conduct home energy audits, and to weatherize your home.
House Awnings for an Energy Efficient Home
by Hal Major; Bobvilacontractors.com
It doesn’t seem too many years ago that nearly every house had awnings over their windows. Air conditioning was a luxury and fans were the primary cooling system for the average family. The awnings provided shade from the hot summer sun and added color to the home. Then one day, bang, they started disappearing. The canvas would dry out and rip in the summer thunderstorms and replacements weren’t being installed. The homes lost some character and looked drab without those bright green, yellow, orange and red awnings. Fortunately awnings haven’t gone the way of the rotary dial telephone, although I don’t miss those at all. Awnings are coming back into style and for a few good reasons. Energy Efficiency The principal reason is energy savings on air conditioning. Window awnings can reduce the volume of radiant heat that penetrates a home through the windows. Studies by the University of Minnesota determined that installing window awnings can reduce cooling costs by 17% in St. Louis, 21% in Phoenix and a whopping 24% in Boston. (Complete Story Here)
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This Old Wasteful House
by Richard Moe,
President, National Trust for Historic Preservation; NY Times Opinion Editorial
"Never before has America had so many compelling reasons to preserve the homes in its older residential neighborhoods. We need to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions. We want to create jobs, and revitalize the neighborhoods where millions of Americans live. All of this could be accomplished by making older homes more energy-efficient."
EXCERPT: "Restoring the original features of older houses — like porches, awnings and shutters — can maximize shade and insulation. "
National Trust for Historic Preservation | Blog link: Preservation Nation
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10 Weekend Projects to Make Yours a Smart(er) Home
For the most part, having a smart home is simply a matter of energy efficiency. Sure, high-tech home automation systems and gadgets will help you save—and even create—energy, but the low-cost (or free!) DIY weekend projects can make the biggest splash. Here are 10 weekend projects and 14 quick tips to make a smarter, more affordable home.
Published in Popular Mechanics, April 2009
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Awnings: the Home Improvement that Pays
You Back
Now more than ever, home improvements should go beyond just adding aesthetics and provide return on investment... In most homes, more cooling energy is lost through glass doors and windows than any other part of the house.
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Keep Weather in Mind when Buying an Awning
"Awnings can provide protection from sun, rain and snow. Tony Wanamaker from West Deer, for instance, thinks the canvas awning he added is 'without a doubt the best thing I did to my house."
By Bob Karlovits, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
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Shades of Nostalgia: Awnings Can Lower Energy Bills, Protect Furnishings From Fading
By Ann Cameron Siegal, Washington Post
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