Putting extra cash in your pocket is always a good thing, right? Here are some simple tips to help you save ten percent or more on your energy bills, by eliminating as many of the leaks in your home as possible.
During the summer, warm air leaks into your home from outside; in the winter months, cold air can leak in from outside, both wasting a good portion of your energy dollars.
One of the quickest ways to reduce energy loss is to find and seal any unwanted openings to the outside, using caulking and weather-stripping.
Following are six tips to help you get started on the road to reduce energy loss.
FIND THE LEAKS
Start by checking your home for air tightness. One way to do that is to use a lit incense stick on a windy day. Hold it next to potential air paths to the outside, like windows, doors, electrical outlets, plumbing fixtures, and ceiling fixtures. Watch to see if the smoke blows horizontally – if so, you’ve found an air leak that needs to be plugged. Use caulking, weather stripping, or Styrofoam insulation to fill gaps.
CAULK AND SEAL
Caulk and seal gaps where plumbing (like the hose bib to your outside water line), ductwork (like your dryer vent or bathroom vents), or wiring (like electrical outlets or switches on outside walls).
INSULATE ELECTRIC
For electrical wall plates or switchboxes, install rubber gaskets in back of the switch plates to seal them.
DIRTY INSULATION
Look for dirty spots on your insulation, which can indicate where outside air leaks in. Look beneath the insulation batting for gaps or holes and seal them by stapling sheet plastic over the holes, then caulk the edges of the plastic.
CLOSE THE FLUE
If you have a fireplace, try to keep the damper closed tightly when not in use. The role of a chimney is to allow smoky air to leave the house; if the flue is open, your warm air escapes up the chimney, along with your energy dollars.
UPGRADE WINDOWS
If you’re in an older home and you have single-pane windows, install storm windows or replace them with more modern double-pane glass windows. Research shows that windows can influence ten to 25 percent of your heating bill. Storm windows or double-pane insulated glass can cut the heat loss by half.
Many local utility companies will conduct a free energy audit on your home. For more information, visit the website of your local utility company. See links below.
How We Can Help
Our team offers a wide array of routine maintenance services for your heating and cooling system, allowing your family to breathe fresh, safe, clean air year-round, and save energy in the process. When a furnace or air conditioner is running at peak efficiency, you’ll save on energy operation costs.
Schedule an appointment for your routine HVAC system maintenance with us today by using our online contact form, or call one of our seven neighborhood offices listed below. We pride ourselves on our customer-focused service, and our reviews show it.
NEWARK 740.345.6639 • COLUMBUS 614.238.6689 • DUBLIN 614.545.8939 • REYNOLDSBURG 614.365.1579 • WESTERVILLE 614.381.1540 • GROVE CITY 614.595.3098 • ZANESVILLE 740.454.2420
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