Who can say what the weather will bring this winter!
Heating can be a challenge, so keeping you and your family warm "efficiently" with minimal cost is key.
Here are some places to start looking:
Stopping Air Leaks
The first step to making your home more heat efficient is to identify air leaks. Common air leak sources such as recessed lights, attic entrances, doorframes, window frames, ducts (which we'll cover next) and electrical outlets can be a big drain of heat and money.
You can check for air leaks yourself by walking through your home with a lit incense stick (horizontal smoke indicates a leak), or you can hire a technician for a more thorough inspection. Simple fixes like sealing around outlets and switches, caulking gaps in the framing, and plugging gaps surrounding pipes will typically result in noticeable savings.
Duct Problems
Often overlooked, typical duct systems lose 25-40% of the heating or cooling energy put out by the central furnace, heat pump, or air conditioner. Common duct system problems include:
*Leaky joints or visible holes in the duct surface
*Disconnected ducts are not connecting
*Inadequate or poorly finished duct work
*Un-insulated/poorly insulated ducts in attics & crawl- spaces.
Most duct repairs should be made by or with the help of a trained professional, especially in non-living spaces. A qualified pro can also help you more accurately assess the duct problems that you have. If you decide to make minor duct repairs on your own, keep in mind that duct tape is usually only intended as a temporary fix. Silicone caulking or cement with mastic are better sealing options. Improving your duct system efficiency can cut your annual utility bills by a few hundred dollars every month & will improve the overall air quality in your home.
Keep your Home Insulated
Properly insulating your home is one of the most cost-effective ways to cut down on your energy loss. Improving the insulation in your home can cut your heating and cooling costs by as much as 30 percent & will create a more uniform, comfortable temperature in your home. Better insulation will also help decrease outdoor noise. Check the insulation in your attic, ceilings, exterior and basement walls, floors, and crawl spaces to see if they meet recommended standards for your area. Insulation is measured in R-values: the higher the R-value, the less transfer of heat through the material. Typically the easiest and most cost-effective way to improve your home's insulation is to add insulation to your attic.
Fireplace Issues
Fireplaces have lots of aesthetic appeal. However, fireplaces are not desirable in terms of energy efficiency. Only about 10 percent of the wood's energy is transferred to the room as heat, the rest escapes up the chimney. When in use, the fireplace also pulls cold air into your home through cracks & leaks. When not in use the brick & stone mass of most fireplaces readily conducts heat from your home to the outside. To minimize energy waste from the fireplace in your home, make sure the damper or flue is shut tightly when the fireplace is not in use. Consider the benefits of things like tempered glass doors, fireplace inserts that seal dormant openings, and heat exchangers that recover some of the energy that would otherwise be lost.
Thermostat Solutions
That little thermostat on the wall can be a tool for big energy savings. You can save up to 3 percent for every one degree that you lower the temperature in your home over a 24-hour period in winter.
You can also save up to 10% annually in your heating & cooling bills by adjusting your thermostat down 10% to 15% for an 8-hour period each day.
Turning the heat down while you sleep or while you're away at work is a simple and logical energy efficiency solution. If the prospect of waking up to a chilly house doesn't excite you, buy a programmable thermostat. They are inexpensive & adjust the temperature in your home based on the schedules you determine.
Ceiling Fans
While most people think if ceiling fans as a cooling solution, they can also help maintain a warm temperature in your home during winter. Running a ceiling fan in reverse circulates rising warm air back down to living areas.
If you have rooms with high ceilings you may want to consider a ceiling fan.
They vary in price depending on things like material & size. Mostly they are affordable & easy to operate.
|
|
