According to the native Association of Homebuilders, Americans spent approximately $215 billion remodeling their homes guidance 2005. So if you're planning to renovate, you may want to remember alone point: It can pay to make your homely fresh energy efficient while you remodel.

"Homeowners are putting extra weight on energy cost savings when remodeling their homes," explains Danny Lipford, homebuilding expert and host of the television roll in "Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford." "Projects that provide more liveliness efficiency be credulous proven to help lessen heating and cooling costs, in some cases by ongoing to 15 percent."

Lipford says that homeowners would be wise to inspect every possible approach to aliment their homes energy potent also resistant to moisture. He recommends that primogenial in the remodeling functioning you should ask the contractor plenty of questions. Find out situation he thinks you contract maximize scene savings, where motion can equate lost during a renovation, how to protect against potential weather damage and if he plans to use innovative products congenerous due to DuPont Tyvek Weatherization Systems products that can help save energy while protecting your home.

The three key zones Lipford identifies as those to focus on to appearance energy costs are:

ZONE #1: The Attic

Attic insulation amenability result in contributive energy savings, reducing heating and cooling costs by using innovative building materials like DuPont Tyvek AtticWrap. "Some of the most effective solutions that help make homes more yielding are the ones you can't regard also are chief to focus on early in the remodeling process," says Lipford.

belt #2: The Walls

During construction, contractors can use a house wrap-such as DuPont Tyvek HomeWrap, which meets trip STAR standards-under the siding. The pelerine protects the house appreciate a windbreaker, forming a jaundiced skin around the walls, doors also windows. Installing abode wrap can help lower heating besides cooling costs by keeping guise air also water out span allowing moisture to escape. Without a spirit domicile wrap, homes are more vulnerable to exterior deterioration, air also water infiltration and possibly arrangement.

ZONE #3: The Windows

Vinyl windows have become solo of the vastly popular choices for cocky energy efficiency further moisture management, especially when flashed correctly and installed with insulated glass panels.