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Five simple ways to save money on energy costs

October 29, 2013adminEnergy Efficiencyenergy efficient, green living, home improvement, home trends4 Comments

Remember when your parents jumped down your throat for leaving the lights on? As a kid, it is hard to understand why adults insist on turning unused electronics off. Now that you are older and pay your own utility bills, it is much easier to appreciate their perspective. Fortunately for you, there are other ways to save money on energy too. The following are five simple ways to save on energy costs:

Unplug devices not in use

If you have power tool equipment or electric devices that you only use on occasion, unplug them while not in use. Another option is to plug all pieces of equipment you seldom use into a single power strip and keep the port powered off until you need one of those appliances. Even smaller devices such as hair dryers, hand vacuums, toasters, blenders, etc. can be unplugged until you want to use them.

Replace inefficient appliances

Two of the most popular green and efficient labels include “Design for the Environment” (DofE) and “ENERGY STAR” appliances. Both are recommended by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and help individuals save money while using energy efficiently. The EPA states that Americans using products with the DofE label on them reduced the amount of harmful chemicals they emitted by 756 million pounds in 2011. ENERGY STAR appliances prevented 1.8 billion tons of GHG emissions in 2012. Not only can you save money in the long run, but using energy efficient appliances may qualify you for certain tax credits.

Turn thermostats down in the winter

Try maintaining a temperature near 70 degrees instead of something near 76 or 77 degrees. You might also consider layering comfortable clothing while inside the house. Limit water consumption from long, hot showers, as these require more energy to keep water warm. When you are gone, turn the thermostat off or install an automatic setback thermostat in your home so the temperature can adjust accordingly while you are away.

Limit air conditioner use

During the hot weather months, avoid using the air conditioner whenever possible. Try keeping your windows and blinds closed during the hottest part of the day to keep the heat out, opening them at night when it’s cooler. On days you must use the AC, keep it at a higher setting such as 71 degrees instead of 67 degrees. An air conditioner devours electricity, so keep it on a higher temperature or turn it off completely.

Maintenance

General home maintenance is crucial to keeping energy costs down all year long. A significant portion of electricity is used to heat and cool a home, so ensuring that your residence is properly insulated can save energy and lower your utility bills. If you have old windows drafty windows, repair or replace them. Lastly, replace incandescent lights with fluorescent bulbs. Fluorescent bulbs can last up to ten times longer than incandescent, and use 70% less energy.

This article is written by Jared Miret, a father and home handyman. He is excited to share these tips with you, to help save you money and keep your house running smoothly. He writes this article on behalf of electric providers in Houston.

How energy efficient windows can save you money

October 9, 2013adminEnergy Efficiency, Home Improvement Tipsenergy efficient, home improvement, home remodeling2 Comments

Properties lose a considerable amount of heat through their windows. But energy-efficient glazing will help to keep your home warm, quiet, and reduce your monthly energy bills. This could mean installing double glazing, secondary glazing, or just buying heavier curtains. Installing energy efficient windows will provide you with many benefits. The savings that you make will depend on the size, material and the installer you use. You can expect double glazing windows to last for 20 years or more.

Windows and doors have a considerable impact on heat loss, so any measures that you can take to prevent heat loss are worthwhile and will lower your energy bills significantly.

The advantages of energy-efficient windows

Lower energy bills: replacing any single glazed windows with B rated double glazing windows can save you around $240 a year on your bills.
Less carbon footprint: Because you will be using less fuel, you’ll generate lower amounts of the carbon dioxide that contributes to global warming.
A cozier home: Energy efficient double glazing will reduce heat loss through windows meaning less cold spots and drafts.
More peace and quiet: Energy efficient windows will insulate your home against any outside noise such as traffic, trains or shouting.
Reduced levels of condensation: energy-efficient glazing helps to reduce condensation build-up on the inside of windows.

How do energy efficient windows work?

Double glazing windows have two sheets of glass and a slam gap between them, usually around 16mm in size; this is needed to form an insulating barrier that stops heat from getting out. This is often filled with gas. Triple glazing windows have three sheets of glass, but they aren’t always a better option than double glazing windows. When looking for the most energy efficient window, look for the EPA logo and the HERS index.

Energy efficient windows are available in a variety of styles, frames and materials. They can vary depending on:

The amount of sunlight that travels through the glass.

How well they prevent heat from passing through the window.

The amount of air that is allowed to leak in and around the window.

What to keep an eye out for

The glass: The most energy efficient glass to use for double glazing is Low-E glass. This often has a hidden coating of metal oxide, usually located on one of the internal panes parallel to the gap. This allows light and heat to come in and cuts the amount of that is let out.

In between the window: The more efficient windows will use gases such as xenon, krypton and argon in the gap between the glass sheets.

Pane spacers: These are normally used around the inside edges to separate the two panes of glass. For the highest levels of efficiency, look for pane spacers that contain little or no metal, these are often referred to as ‘warm edge’ spacers.

Frame materials

All of the following frame materials have windows available in all energy ratings.

Wooden frames tend to have a lower impact on the environment, but require a lot of maintenance.
UPVC frames have a very long shelf life and can be recycled.
Aluminum frames are slim and durable, and can also be recycled.
Composite frames usually have an inner timber frame that is covered with plastic or aluminum. This lowers the maintenance requirements and ensures the frame is weatherproof.

This is a guest post by David at Leekes, an award winning family owned retailer of Conservatories, Windows and Doors

Is Your Office Space Efficient?

August 15, 2013adminEnergy Efficiencyenergy efficientLeave a comment

The environment of your office can considerably influence your business’s overall productivity and ultimately its long term success. This will include the competency of your office equipment, which affects overheads and your company’s carbon emissions.

If you wish to improve the efficiency of your office space and streamline business critical workflows then here are some useful tips to get you started.

Strategic office lighting

It is said that lighting accounts for almost 50 per cent of the total electricity used in offices. However, recent developments in lighting technology, combined with a stringent in-house lighting control policy can result in greatly reduced overheads. It may be an idea to install a lighting system that switches off the majority of lights when spaces are likely to be empty i.e. before and after office hours and during lunchtime and break periods.

The provision of energy saving with office lighting should actively involve staff members. Without their co-operation, any new control strategy implemented would be unsuccessful.

A paperless office

Admittedly an ambitious task for most small businesses, but reducing the amount of paper within the workplace is a sure-fire way of reducing a firm’s impact on the wider environment. By implementing an electronic document management solution, it is possible to scan and store files digitally on a server that is regularly backed up – eliminating the need to pay for file storage space and reducing the need for hefty archives and filing cabinets within the office.

Employees will also be encouraged to print less and save files to the server instead of printing them. The production and management of documentation is critical. Procuring equipment and consumables into an all-inclusive offering makes perfect sense. Comprehensive managed print services can provide optimal technology with unrivaled support and service from end-to-end.

Turning to the cloud

Even the biggest corporations and businesses are increasingly turning to cloud-based systems to enhance everyday processes. Working ‘in the cloud’ means that businesses do not have to house servers with dozens of software programmes and sensitive documentation on-site. Off-site technology solutions are available to help small businesses and start-ups to operate more efficiently without hiring additional staff or buying expensive equipment.

Video conferencing

Meetings with existing and potential clients in other parts of the country – and sometimes the world – can take up a considerable amount of time and money. When you consider the expenses in traveling to and from meetings, possible food and drink – not to mention time lost in productivity – it all adds up at the end of the month. That’s why many firms are fast switching over to video conferencing to reduce overheads. All you need is a quiet meeting space, a reliable internet connection and software and you can carry out a round-table meeting using VoIP (Voice over IP) that saves money and is a lot easier to schedule.

Employee awareness

Engaging your employees in energy efficiency and carbon reduction is the only way to evolve attitudes and behavior in the workplace. In order to avoid unnecessary energy consumption and to reduce overall carbon emissions why not create an internal campaign to raise awareness and help your staff play a part in achieving your low-carbon ambitions that will have a positive impact on the bottom line.

Even if you feel your business is already running with good efficiency, there is always room for improvement, take balreed.com for example, they offer fantastic print solutions that will help your business going forward. Never stand still; always be prepared to make tweaks and adjustments to the existing system you already have in place.

6 Penny Savin’, Utility Fixin’ Improvements

July 25, 2013adminEnergy Efficiencyenergy efficient, home improvementLeave a comment

Who couldn’t use some help lowering their utility bills? The average household pays $110.14 a month for electricity alone, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. That works out to more than $1,321 a year, and when you add in water and trash service, that’s a pretty penny going out of your bank account. Here are six home improvements that are fairly simple to make and will save you big bucks in the long run:

Upgrade Appliances

The top energy-sucking appliances in your home are the air conditioner, fans, water heater, dishwasher, furnace and the washer/dryer. You probably use at least three of these appliances every day. It’s true that your outdated appliances may work just fine, but you pay higher energy bills to operate inefficient appliances. Save money when you replace worn out models with Energy Star-rated ones.

Replace Accessories

Change small accessories around your house to make a big impact. High-efficiency toilets cost the same as traditional toilets, but they save a family of four 8,760 gallons of water every year, according to toolbase.com. Likewise, install a low-flow shower head, and use 15,000 gallons less water per person, advises houselogic.com. Find more savings in the kitchen when you install an efficient faucet aerator. Like the toilet and shower head, it reduces drips and includes a concentrated spray. All three of these home accessories are easy and affordable to replace and provide big savings.

Program Thermostats

Install programmable thermostats that adjust the temperature for you. Regular models cost from $60 to $120, or buy smart thermostats you can adjust via the Internet for $275 to $400. Energy Star estimates this switch could save you $180 a year.

Reduce Drafts

Light a candle—not to be romantic, but to check for drafts. If the flame flickers when you hold it near baseboards, window frames, electrical outlets, vents or doors, you have drafts. Seal them shut with caulk and weatherstripping. Energy.gov reports that reducing drafts can cut your energy bills by 30 percent.

Unplug Anything on Standby

Your coffeemaker, alarm clocks, cellphone chargers and TV pull electricity even when they’re turned off. Unplug as many appliances and electronics as possible to save money. Huffington Post reports that you could save up to 10 percent in energy costs just by unplugging everything on standby.

Fix Gutters

Water from rain or snow storms typically flows through the gutters and downspouting and away from your home’s foundation. But if your gutters are clogged, the water could potentially flood the basement or crack your home’s foundation. Pay $180, Home Advisor’s national average for a professional gutter cleaner, and install gutter guards. The alternative is a $4,337 foundation repair, which makes fixing gutters highly economical by comparison.

These six simple home improvements should put big savings in your pocket. Then, use the money you save to pay off your mortgage, save for retirement or continue improving your home. Which project will you tackle first?

Guest Post By:

High Impact, Low Maintenance Home Improvement

July 11, 2013adminhome improvementenergy efficient, home improvement, home remodeling, home trends, lightingLeave a comment

The best kind of home improvements: high-impact, low-maintenance

Yes, everyone knows making home improvements is a worthy investment in your greatest material asset. Sure you want every improvement job done well with top-notch end results. But when all is said and done, do you really want to have to put a lot of effort and money into maintaining those improvements? For most people – whether they’ll admit it or not – the answer is “no.”

The best home improvements are the ones that not only enhance your home’s value and livability, but also require little work from you afterward to keep them looking great and functioning well. If you’re looking for high-impact, low-maintenance home improvements, consider these popular projects:

No-leak skylights

When it comes to an improvement that brightens your home, enhances its indoor air quality and boosts energy-efficiency, skylights deliver. Unfortunately, early skylights had a reputation for being leaky – a problem that simply doesn’t occur with modern, no leak, energy-efficient skylights like those made by Velux America. Pre-engineered flashing kits (the metal shield that surrounds any opening in a wall or roof) work with all types of roofs, from shingles to metal, to ensure a properly installed skylight won’t leak.

Need further low-maintenance points to make the case for adding a skylight? Not only do modern skylights keep water out, they’re energy efficient as well. Energy Star-qualified, no leak solar-powered fresh air skylights, like those from Velux, deliver fresh air through cost-effective passive ventilation. Adding remote-controlled, solar-powered blinds allows you to easily open or close a fresh air skylight and shade it when the sun hits that part of the roof, boosting the skylight’s energy efficiency by 39 percent. Keep the shade open during cold weather to admit warmth and reduce heating costs. A 30 percent federal tax credit on both products and installation costs makes a skylight project even more appealing. Visit www.veluxusa.com for a tax calculator to show your savings for a new installation or replacement skylights and a skylight planner app to show exactly how skylights and blinds will look in any area of your home.

Lighting upgrade

Older light fixtures not only look dated, they often use outdated, inefficient bulbs and are lacking in the energy-efficient emphasis that comes with newer fixtures. Upgrading lighting throughout your home is a great way to ensure you won’t have to think about it again any time soon.

If a total lighting redesign is out of the question, you can still make your existing light fixtures lower maintenance simply by swapping out old, inefficient incandescent light bulbs with newer, electricity-sipping versions. Options like CFLs and LEDs provide all the light of incandescents while using a fraction of the energy. Energy.gov says Energy Star-rated LEDs use at least 75 percent less power than incandescent bulbs, and last 25 times longer. Imagine the time, hassle and money you’ll save not having to replace bulbs constantly – especially in lights that get a lot of use, like porch lights, or that are hard to reach, like the chandelier in your two-story entryway.

Vinyl siding

Wood, fiber cement, stucco, brick – there are nearly as many types of exterior siding as there are colors to paint it. When it comes to low- or no-maintenance siding, vinyl remains the gold standard.

While early versions of vinyl siding introduced in the 1950s earned criticism for being less lovely than wood, even those less sophisticated versions had staying power; it’s possible to find homes in use today sporting vinyl siding that was added to the house in the 1970s or even earlier.

Vinyl siding never needs to be painted, and when properly installed provides exceptional shielding from the elements. New technology has made modern vinyl siding look better and last longer without fading issues associated with older versions of vinyl. It requires basic cleaning, and overall maintenance demands are much less than other types of siding.

Getting the Most out of your HVAC System

June 18, 2013adminhome improvementenergy efficient, home improvementLeave a comment

According to the most recent estimate by the US Department of Energy, heating and air conditioning account for up to 56% of the energy used by the average home. There are a number of steps that homeowners can take to ensure that they’re getting the most out of their HVAC systems beginning with the selection of the machine.

Making the right choice

When shopping for a heater or air conditioner, it is important to account for the climate in which you live. The intensity of the heat in the summer, the average humidity levels, and the depth of the coldest winter temperatures will all impact your HVAC system. Doing some research or asking a professional before you make your choice can ensure that you get the best possible performance out of your system all year round.

Performing minor maintenance

Performing routine maintenance on your Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning system can improve performance, reduce waste, and prevent expensive break-downs. Check your filters once a month, clean them if necessary, and replace them every three to six months to keep everything running smoothly and prevent early breakdowns. It is also wise to clean the condenser coils periodically, which you can do with a garden hose. Be sure to spray at an angle, rather than directly into the unit. This will clean the coils, but won’t allow too much water to work its way down into the condenser.

Placement of the unit can also impact its performance. Make sure that it is cleared of obstructions, as tree branches and other debris can get sucked in and damage the equipment. It is also important to ensure that the unit is level, since an uneven HVAC unit won’t work properly. Another important maintenance step is cleaning the air ducts out every two years. Depending on the system of ducts you have and the general layout of your home, this may be something you can do yourself, or may require an HVAC specialist.

Bringing in a professional

Hiring a professional to check out and tune up your HVAC system once a year is as important to performance and efficiency as taking your car to the mechanic. A contractor will check to be sure that all connections are tight and well-sealed; they will lubricate all moving parts to prevent friction and breakdown, check the refrigerant level and gas pressure, and adjust any blower components as necessary.

While there are many things that homeowners can do themselves to maintain their systems, these highly trained professionals will perform several other maintenance tasks, ranging from very simple to quite complex. They’ll check and clean the condensate drain and ensure that the unit is responding to signals from the controls to shut off or turn on. They’ll make sure that fans are running in the right direction, which is a surprisingly common issue. They’ll also verify that the belts aren’t crooked or loose, which will both reduce the efficiency of the machine, and cause the belts and moveable parts to wear out faster than necessary.

Sealing the house

The thermal envelope is one of the most important things to consider when looking for ways to improve HVAC performance. If the doors and windows of your home are allowing large amounts of air to pass in and out, or if there are gaps in the weather stripping or insulation, you will continue wasting money and resources whenever your heater or air conditioner is running. By improving weather stripping and insulation, upgrading doors and windows, and ensuring that they are all properly installed, you can run your HVAC system knowing that you aren’t spending extra money to heat or cool the whole neighborhood.

Author Info:

Frank Newhouse is a freelance writer with years of experience as a property manager. He is constantly looking for ways to reduce waste, and enjoys writing as a way to share that knowledge. He currently writes for Air Conditioning Florida, which helps connect people in the Orlando area with the air conditioning services they need to improve performance.

Tips To Resolve Heat Loss

April 3, 2013adminDIY Projects, Energy EfficiencyDIY projects, energy efficient, home improvement, remodeling tipsLeave a comment

5 Tips To Help Prevent Heat Loss In Your Home

A lot of us are facing large temperature changes this winter in our homes and work places that make us feel uncomfortable. We find ourselves complaining about “the chill in the air”. As a result, we tend to turn up the thermostat and burn through our heating fuel or gas as well as our bank accounts! Alternatively, we purchase space heaters which increase our electric bills. As a last resort, we bundle ourselves in layers of clothing to the point of looking and feeling like a lumberjack! Surely there must be a better way.

Your home is probably losing heat when it’s cold outdoors. If you detect where the heat in your home is being lost, you will be able to make it more energy and heat efficient as well as more comfortable for you and your family.

Improving your home’s insulation is one of the most worthwhile energy efficiency methods you can try. To give you more ideas, here are several tips on how to resolve your heat loss problem at home.

Tip # 1: Wall insulation

Did you know that heat escapes in many poor insulated homes through the walls? Wall insulation serves as a blanket which prevents heat from escaping. It can also help reduce the hot temperature in your home on summer days. You can actually carry out wall insulation on both solid and cavity walls. You may want to work with a professional to insure that the work is done to code and any necessary permissions are obtained.

Tip # 2: Window insulation

20% of your home’s heat goes out through the windows. That is the reason why insulating your windows is important. Double glazed windows could be the best option to consider due to its impressive insulating properties. It can help you resolve your heat loss problem.

Tip # 3: Loft insulation

25% of heat also escapes through your roof or loft. When insulating your roof and loft, you will be able to save heat loss as well as reduce your monthly heating bills. The effectiveness of loft and roof insulation is at least 40 year.

Tip # 4: Avoiding Window Condensation

Condensation on your windows is not good. Excess moisture develops mold growth and stain on your windows. It could eventually destroy your window and the mold may become worse. If the condensation continues, consider a dehumidifier as an option to resolve it. You may also utilize curtains to avoid window condensation on your windows or replace them with a new window.

Tip # 5: Draught proofing

If there are gaps in your window and doors, then you probably have draughts which also cause heat loss. To prevent this, visit your local home improvement store and ask someone for assistance. There are many different products that you can purchase and install to reduce heat loss. If you don’t feel comfortable with DIY projects, you should call a professional to make these repairs for you..

Restore comfort and increase energy efficiency at your home. If you want to solve the heat loss problem in your home, you can use any or all of these tips. Once you succeed in preventing the heat loss through your walls, windows, lofts and floor, you can restore coziness in your home and maintain a consistent home temperature.

Guest Post By:

About the Author:

Louise Sutton is the content manager for Window Info – a Kent, England-based home improvement resource center specializing in double-glazing replacement doors and windows.

One of the most common reasons for heat loss are old drafty windows. Give us a call or contact us for a free estimate to have your windows replaced with updated, insulated, eco-friendly windows!

~Gary Bruzzese

Green Home Improvements Add Value To Your Home

March 29, 2013adminGreen Living, home improvementDIY projects, energy efficient, green living, home improvementLeave a comment

Green home improvements that can make a real difference in home value:

What your home is worth to you is one thing; what it’s worth to someone else may be totally different. If you want to boost the value of your home for yourself and in the eyes of others, one of the best ways to do that in today’s real estate market is to make green home improvements.

Going green can mean a lot of things, and it’s easy to start with small changes like switching to compact fluorescent light bulbs and unplugging appliances when they’re not in use. Not only will you be doing good for the environment, you might end up saving on utility bills and, ultimately, increasing your home’s value when the time comes to sell.-

Green projects aren’t all necessarily in the do-it-yourself category, and making an investment to have the bigger jobs done right will pay off in the long run.

Getting started now – even if that just means planning – is a good idea, particularly if you’re thinking about selling in a few months’ time. Talk to a real estate agent about what improvements are popular among potential homebuyers, and consider these ideas:

* Insulation: Regulating the hot air your home lets in during the summer and lets out in the winter can have a short-term impact on your heating and cooling bills. To find out whether you need additional insulation in your attic or walls, order an energy audit. Perhaps you could benefit from adding blown-in insulation to your walls. If your attic is unfinished, it’s particularly important to make sure that it’s appropriately insulated to avoid wasting energy.

* Windows: Caulking and putting up energy-saving window film is a great start, but a more dramatic change might make a world of difference if you want to make a sale. Replacing your existing windows with high-efficiency versions can be an expensive proposition, but the return on your investment can be dramatic, particularly if you’re hoping to attract buyers.

* Landscaping: While planting isn’t always possible in the coldest months of the year, putting together a plan for energy-conscious plantings is a great idea. Consider adding trees that will bring shade to the sunniest spots, like the west side of your home, to cut summertime electric bills. Trees that lose their leaves in the fall will let light in during the winter, as opposed to evergreens which will block it throughout the year.

* Water: Take the first step by turning down the temperature setting on your water heater. For more savings, consider replacing older heaters with energy-efficient models or even solar water heaters. Adding insulation to your pipes can also make a difference in how much energy is used to heat water.

Most homeowners put a lot of effort into making their homes attractive, welcoming spaces. With green updates, you can make your home not only more comfortable and more energy-efficient, but also more appealing to buyers. Add the potential energy savings and the possible boost in home value and you have even more reasons to bring your home into the green age.

Ready to bring your home into the green age? Give us a call at 914-576-2572 to discuss the many options available to you when it comes to window replacement and other home greening projects.

10 Ways Your Home Can Save You Money

March 14, 2013adminDIY Projects, Energy Efficiency, Home Improvement TipsDIY projects, energy efficient, home improvementLeave a comment

There are many ways in which your home can save you money with the long term effect of allowing you to realize your property’s potential value.

Some important approaches to take to getting your home to save you money range from changing your household routines to selling old items, to investing in parts of your property to add value and save you money over time. In this context, it’s possible to make your home save you money by trying the following strategies:

1 – Making Small Energy Saving Changes

This means improving your insulation and checking to see whether you’re losing heat from different parts of your home. Investing in draught excluders and turning down your thermostat by a few degrees can add up to savings over time

2 – Removing Clutter

If you’re having a problem with clutter, you can save money in the long run by sorting out your stuff and finding out what you can sell for a profit. Even old mobile phones and other electronics can be recycled for a fee.

3 – Make Long Term Investments

You can gradually build up value in your property by making long term investments and renovations that will make your home more energy efficient; this might include replacing an old drainage or heating system, or getting a new boiler.

4 – Reduce Drafts

Reduce problems with heating by getting new windows and insulation materials for roof, while fitting new air conditioning systems that can better control the flow of air through your home.

5 – Create a Vegetable Garden

It’s possible to save money on your weekly food shopping bill by creating a vegetable garden – this can be used to grow potatoes and other vegetables and can be combined with basil and other herb plants in your kitchen.

6 – Get New Appliances

This is a particularly good idea for the kitchen where you can swap your old fridges and freezers for Energy Star rated versions; these tend to use less electricity, make less noise, and add more value to your home.

7 – Use Less Water

Save money on your water consumption by switching to a more accurate water meter rather than paying ground charges; you can also fit devices to taps and faucets to reduce water usage.

8 – Be Careful with Appliances

Try to change your habits if you tend to leave your television or computer on standby overnight; just switching things off will save you money over time.

9 – Consider a New Mortgage

Look around to see if you can get a better financing deal on your mortgage; switching your mortgage to a new provider with lower rates can allow you to take advantage of the equity in your home.

10 – Selling Space

If you have a parking space or a garage that you’re not making use of, consider leasing it to neighbors or friends to make some extra money. Always check, though, to see whether there are any restrictions on your lease or mortgage about sub-letting.

Author Bio: Liam Ohm writes about home improvement, from choosing the best luxury baths to saving money at home. In his spare time he enjoys giving advice to others in need.

Using a Roof as a Space Heater

March 10, 2013adminDIY Projects, Home Improvement TipsDIY projects, energy efficient, home improvement3 Comments

You can use your existing insulation and roof to supply heated air to your home via direct sunlight. This can easily happen when the roof is being heated by the light of the sun and the air underneath becomes heated. This very same air collects at the highest point of your roof, trapped underneath. You can use that air to heat up your home. If you have a metal roof or some sort of clad roof with a membrane insulating it underneath you can easily work on this project. It’s not expensive and it allows you to use the heat trapped under the roof to warm your home up at nearly no cost long-term. Before you begin, however, you need to follow these steps to deal with things in a methodical fashion:

Access your attic and roof and check whether your home has an insulation membrane protecting it under the sheets of the roof. Most roofs will have one but it is still a good idea to check it out.
Once that is done you need to locate the top two purlins situated on each side of the roof.
Fix any excess insulation by using a hand staple gun. Secure any insulation to the purlins along the ridge at its full length.
When you are done, you should check the status of the insulation on each side of the roof from the gutter area to the top purlin. Make sure the space between the purlin is open to the underside of the ridge.
You should prepare some strips of the insulation so you can fix them across the lower side of the first two purlins on top. It has to be long enough so it can run the entire length of the ridge.
Take that insulation and affix it to the underside of said purlins with the hand tacker while you form a header between them. The heat of the sun will help warm the air between the sheeting and the insulation.
Fit a fitting and properly-sized duct outlet at the center of the ridge. The size of the fan should fit the size of the duct perfectly so the insulation will be equally perfect. Fix it to the underside of the purlins and then seal them to the foil by using silicone or a similar means. Make sure the foil that is located under the duct is removed to allow the air to flow freely.
Fit a duct outlet directly to the ceiling of the room you want to heat up.
You should fit a fan somewhere between the duct coming from the ridge of your roof and the one leading to the ceiling of the room being heated. It should be suspended from the structure with a good spring, as this will prevent the vibrations coming from the fan. In time, as dust builds up on its blades, it will become unbalanced and this will affect its stability. Spring suspension will also affect its noise levels, making it much more feasible as a solution.
Measure up and prepare two lengths of the foil ducting. One is meant to connect the ridge duct to the fan, while the other one connects the fan to the ceiling duct.
Use a thermostat switch near your newly made duct and set the sensor bulb inside the header in proximity to the duct opening.
Wire the fan to the switch so the fan can only run when the temperature in the monitored area exceeds the one of the heated room below.
Move to the roof itself and make sure any gaps between the ridge and the roof are fixed and sealed. You can use a number of sealants, such as expanding foam or something similar.
Your heater will be ready once all of this is completed. The only thing you should keep in mind is that it will only be able to help heat up the house while the sun is up. You will need to back this up with a conventional heating system just in case.