Are you looking for a way to tame your energy bills in your new home? Look down, because you just might be standing on the solution. That’s right, your flooring may be key to saving energy.
Due to its soft, plush feel, carpet has been a popular choice among homeowners for many years. But it also possesses a lesser-known attribute: Carpet is a natural insulator, providing additional warmth in cold weather. And there is research to prove it. Tests indicate that as much as 10 percent of the heat in a room, which would dissipate with other flooring types, is retained with carpeted flooring.
But that’s not all! An estimated 30 days of heating a home with installed carpeting resulted in energy savings of around four to six percent, lowering heating bills. Furthermore, carpet performed better in tests than ceramic tile‚ laminate and engineered hardwood in terms of its insulation properties.
There’s also another flooring choice for reducing energy costs: Heated stone or tile floors. Heat naturally rises, so heating floors is more efficient and sensible than traditional forced-air heating. On top of that, underfloor heating performs at a lower temperature than other forms of household heating. It also has the additional advantage of not circulating dust throughout your home.
Lastly, ensuring your feet are warm actually lowers heating costs. With carpeted or heated stone floors, your feet will feel toasty warm and you will be less tempted to crank up the heat when that winter chill comes along.