A Exterior Home Expense That Could SAVE You Money
Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a system that you could install in your own home that reduced your expenses and kept your home safe, all while virtually paying for itself?
Well, EIFS are not far from accomplishing these goals.
There are numerous benefits of installing an exterior insulation and finish system (EIFS) for your home:
- Energy efficiency
- Less resources wasted
- Design flexibility
- Moisture management
However, many people believe that the cost of installing an EIFS outweighs its potential benefits. But this is a false assumption. Here’s why:
1. EIFS Reduce Your Monthly Utility Costs
With the extremely cold temperatures that are common during our winters, heating your home in our Alberta climate can be painfully expensive. However, most people would agree that these expenses are necessary to keep our families and ourselves warm. But what isn’t necessary is the heat loss that occurs in our homes due to poor insulation systems.
Not only does this heat loss have the potential to compromise our comfort, but it also compromises our savings. The average home loses as much as 35% of its heat through its exterior walls.
Research conducted at the University of Alberta found that in 2018, the average utility bill for a 3-bedroom house hosing two adults and one child ranged between $240-450/month. Over the course of 8 months of cold temperatures, these monthly charges can add up to a significant amount of money. During the winter months, the majority of this bill can be attributable to the cost of the natural gas used to heat your home.
EIFS are 84% more efficient than common cladding systems, helping you to save hundreds of dollars every year on utilities.
2. EIFS Help You Save On Repair Costs
When the snow begins to melt, homeowners across Alberta hold their collective breath. This time of year results in more water damage and flooding than any other, especially for those who have homes in low spots or near water-collection areas. Basement flooring and walls are common casualties during such times.
Also, our province has been known to experience periods of heavy rainfall during the spring and summer months. In June of 2013, heavy rains swept across the city of Calgary, causing an estimated 6 billion dollars in property damage and taking 5 lives. Unfortunately, there is no way that this tragic event could have been prevented. However, there could have been a way to prevent at least some of the damage that occurred.
EIFS are specifically designed with superior moisture management capabilities when compared with other common cladding systems. They incorporate:
- Flashings for drainage
- Insulation board drainage systems
- Window frame membranes and flashings
- Water barrier applications
- Air barriers that prevent moisture movement through the air
These features maximize your home’s resilience to rain, spring-melt, and moisture.
Although these features specifically relate to EIFS’s moisture management capabilities, they also have an indirect effect on the efficiency of your insulation. That’s because water-damaged insulation can lose up to 40% of its insulating R-Value!
EIFS Can Save You Money In The Long Run
It is over time that you will see major cost-savings by incorporating an EIFS into your home’s design. Think about how much more efficient your home will become with a system that’s 84% more effective when compared to common cladding systems. The potential for savings on your monthly utilities bill are huge!
Or, how much do you stand to save when your home is protected from water damage year-round? Although there’s no exact answer to this question, it’s safe to say exterior insulation and finish systems have the potential to pay for themselves long before the end of their lifetime!
To learn more about how Depend Exteriors EIFS systems can protect your home, please contact them today!
