Custom Insulation Blog

If you have not taken advantage of the energy tax credit, the time is now.  Several federal energy tax credits originally slated to end in 2010 were extended through December 31, 2011.

Here's how the energy tax credits work:

You may claim a credit for 10% of the total cost of various home energy-efficiency products for your existing primary residence, including: insulation and biomass stoves.

For biomass stoves, the maximum combined credit is $300 (10% credit for the purchase of a 75% efficient biomass stove, insert or fireplace).

For other qualifying products, the maximum combined credit is $500 (10% percent of $5,000 in total cost) for all allowable products purchased between 2006 and 2011.

Tax advantages are just one of many reasons to conserve energy. Besides helping to protect the environment and reduce your carbon footprint, you can also save a lot of money on home heating. According to the Department of Energy, you can reduce your heating and cooling bills about 10% per year by simply turning your thermostat back 10°-15° for eight hours. Supplementing you home heating with a wood or pellet stove can let you do this.

Other cost-saving ideas include:

Insulate your home. Up to 30% percent of heated or cooled air can be lost through leaks, so add weather stripping and caulking wherever air escapes.
 
Heating water is the third-largest home energy expense, after heating/air conditioning and electrical appliances, so try lowering your water heater temperature to 120º F or lower.

Install tempered glass doors and a heat-air exchange system to your fireplace to re-circulate warmed air; and always close the damper when not in use.

Bottom line: Take advantage of financial incentives available to make your home more energy efficient, now before the winter's chill.

Contact Custom Insulation Co. for more information on making your home more energy efficient.

Excerpts from Huffington Post

Alternative heat is a great option for your home. Either supplementing the existing heating system or entirely heating your home with a wood or pellet burning stove, fireplace or insert can enable you to really cut down on your utility bills.

There's a reason why a large number of Massachusetts homeowners are wood stove loyalists. Wood stoves are timeless in their appeal, they provide efficient heating and they have a unique style.

The selection of Lennox Wood burning stoves from Custom Insulation offer distinctive sizes and designs that combine superior craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology.

Regardless of your décor or your heating needs there is a Lennox fireplace that will fit your home perfectly. From gas- and wood-burning to pellet fireplaces, you have many choices.

If your home has an existing masonry or metal fireplace, there are easy and attractive ways to spark new life into it. Pellet burning fireplace inserts fit into almost any traditional fireplace opening to instantly transform your room into a warm and entertaining space.

We are insulation specialists. We can ensure, when we install your stove, insert or fireplace that your chimney is draft free, and that you won’t be losing valuable heat through the chimney. Who better to install your new stove, fireplace or insert than Custom Insulation Co?

Pellet stoves offer an alternative means for heating your house. They are traditionally compared to the wood burning stove, because the heat they put out is similar, but there are those who believe pellet stoves offer some advantages over traditional wood stoves.

At the top of the list of advantages is the fact that pellet stoves are easy to load as compared to wood burning stoves. The pellets themselves are small and can be stored in a small space efficiently. Wood needs to be stacked and hauled, and needs a fairly large space to be stored. Pellets burn very hot so they burn very efficiently, because of this they create very little ash or waste.

The pellet stove hopper electronically feeds the pellets into the stove. The hopper can be programmed to evenly and consistently dispense the pellets, so in effect pellet stoves can be programmed to burn at an even rate and can remain at a consistent temperature over time. Many consider this the largest advantage because it allows pellet stoves to be very economical.

Overall pellet stoves can save people quite a bit of money in Massachusetts which is a region where heating costs are typically higher. If you are considering adding a pellet stove to your home, contact Custom Insulation.