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Home energy efficiency is a complex topic that affects our energy bills, comfort, and indoor air quality. As leaders of residential energy conservation in Northern Virginia and Metro DC, The Fifth Fuel team is dedicated to educating home and business owners about building science concepts and how these concepts influence our built environment. For example, homeowners commonly think their heating and cooling system isn’t performing properly, when in reality, a home performance issue is causing uneven home temperatures.

Our blog is designed to provide useful information that can be applied to gaining an understanding of home energy efficiency, helping our customers to make informed choices about energy-saving home improvements including insulation, air sealing, and crawlspace encapsulation.

Would you like a free estimate on a home energy upgrade? Call The Fifth Fuel today to get started!

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Why is My Upstairs So Hot?

August 9, 2016

For many Washington DC-area homeowners, dealing with temperature differentials between floors is a fact of life. Some let years go by simply assuming that they don’t have any control over this all-too-common issue, opting to install extra window AC units or multiple fans to keep parts of their home cool. The fact is, however, getting to the root of the problem is the only way to fix temperature differentials, and it doesn’t have to be quite as difficult as you might assume.

Where to Insulate Your Home

July 12, 2016

No matter what time of the year it is, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better solution to enhancing home comfort and energy efficiency than by focusing on insulation. It’s often assumed that insulation is most effective during the winter months, but it acts the same way during the summer, keeping conditioned air inside and outside air from entering the home.

The Key to a Comfortable Home This Summer

June 20, 2016

Take a walk outside, and there’s no doubt that temps here in the Northern Virginia area are rising steadily with each passing day. This has many homeowners doing whatever they can to keep their conditioned living spaces cool this summer, which can be easier said than done. At The Fifth Fuel, we believe that the key to a comfortable, efficient home is a properly sealed building envelope supported by the right amount of insulation.Think insulation is only for the winter months? Think again.

Is Condensation On Ductwork a Concern?

April 26, 2016

A ductwork system is the backbone of a home heating and cooling system, carrying the heated and cooled air from a central unit to the living spaces of the home. Out of sight, home ductwork is often forgotten by many homeowners. Issues relating to ductwork can, however, have a major impact on home performance and efficiency.

Solving Comfort Issues and High Utility Bills in Cape Cod Style Homes

April 26, 2016

Cape Cod-style homes date back to 17 century New England, where these charming homes were designed to withstand the elements. The homes are compact and have a simple rectangular footprint. A steep roof helped shed snow, relatively low ceilings made it easier to heat, and shutters helped keep wind out during storms.The revival of the Cape Cod homes began in the late 1920s and lasted for several decades. We now have many such homes throughout Northern Virginia and Metro Maryland.