Three Ways to Increase the Efficiency of Your Front Door

A home’s energy efficiency can be determined by the amount of conditioned air it is able to retain. If the air exchange between the home and the outside is too much, it requires more energy to condition the new air inside. One of the easiest places to control loss of conditioned air is the front door. It is huge and any air leaks contribute significantly to a higher energy bill.

Weather Stripping

This is an easy way to control air loss from the house. It creates an airtight seal that cannot be easily broken. However, one should also remember to replace the weather stripping at the begging of every season. Because it is prone to so much friction, its sealant qualities tend to go down with time. The sealant is easy to install and does not require any type of expert for a successful installation. The sealant has to be installed on all four sides of the door. Even though it may not be obvious to a person, there are spaces between the door and doorframe. They contribute to huge losses in the conditioned air.

Check the Door and Locks for Damage

Sometimes it is the little things that people ignore which contribute to energy losses. The door lock should be the first place to check. If the door lock does not hold the door firmly in place, it is definitely contributing to the loss of conditioned air. Some locks are also very old; they have huge games lock holes that lead to a lot of heat exchange over time. Such locks need to be changed. If in doubt on how your lock is functioning, it may be a good idea to contact your local locksmith.

Another important are to watch out for is the hinges. Hinges can be quite hard to detect if one is not well trained. In case one ever has a contractor in the house for anything, ask them to give the hinges a glance. He or she can tell that the door needs new hinges. Any damaged hinges should be repaired or replaced. This will ensure that the door sits properly in the frame without any cracks.

Install a Storm Door

The storm door is one of the best options for people who live in areas with harsh weather. Not only does it increase protection for the door, it also reduces heat loss. This is especially important for doors that have glass incorporated into them. Glass loses heat very fast to the outside. It would be a good idea to use glass covered in heat insulation for such a door. Storm doors are best for cold climates in order to prevent heat loss.

Keeping the house insulated from loss of conditioned air is not a difficult job. These three tips should lead to some improvements in the homes efficiency. However, they need to be implemented as broader reforms to the homes energy efficiency. Another option would be to replace the door. Some doors were made long ago and they look fancy. However, it is time to let them go for more efficiency. Get a professional to do the job in order to avoid any inefficiency.

Benefits to Using Solar Power While Traveling in an RV

Solar technology was developed as a collaboration between the military and NASA. They were looking for a reliable source of power that did not require maintenance. Eventually, they settled on solar panels. Now, every satellite in orbit around the world is powered by solar.

How Solar Power can Help RVs

The reason people will purchase or hire an RV is order to take long drives to remote areas for some rest and recuperation. However, this also means they want to enjoy the comforts their home provides out in the open. This is not always possible with a diesel generator.

The main reason one should install solar panels on their RV is the noise from the diesel generator. No matter how much the manufacturers try, this thing will always produce some sort of low rumbling sound. This can be quite disrupting to a trip that was intended to be quiet and peaceful. The solar panels produce no sound at all. In fact, one will never notice that they are there.

Another reason is the maintenance cost. Complex equipment such as a diesel generator do not stack up well against nature. More likely than not, it will require some sort of repairs. This can be quite disrupting. For instance, if the vacation was only a week long, on one wants to spend two days in their trip looking for parts to repair the diesel generator. However, solar panels have stood the test of time and have been found quite hardy. One reason for this is that they have very few components. As a result, it is unlikely for them to ever go bad and not supply power.

The other reason one should use solar panels is the safety consideration. This is especially true when one is taking an RV tour with the kids. Using a diesel generator will require that one stores fuel inside the RV. Any fuel stored in a container is a potential source of disaster. A simple spark in the hot outdoors could easily ignite it. Solar panels for RVs (found at www.talcoelectronics.com) are quite safe; they only produce 12V of Dc current. This amount of voltage is not enough to electrocute even a pet cat. You do not have to worry about being shocked to death when you are using solar power.


The other advantage of suing solar is the amount of freedom it provides. As a result, you do not have to keep worrying if you carried enough fuel. This freedom of not having to think about fuel can make the entire trip that much more relaxing. It reduces the amount of frantic trips you have to make to the gas station. In addition, it greatly increases the area you can explore. With solar power, you can afford to go off grid longer without any worries.

Solar power also helps you save on the amount of money you spend. Using diesel as a source of energy can be quite expensive. The result is that you have more money for you and your family.