If your home has air leaks, you're throwing away your hard-earned money in unnecessary energy costs. Air leaks allow for the cooled or heated air to escape and the outside air to leak in. To compensate for the air loss, you adjust the thermostat, which increases the amount of energy used, thus increasing your utility bill. To stop this costly cycle from repeating itself, locate and seal air leaks in your home, reducing energy costs while creating a healthier and more comfortable home.
Do-it-yourself
There are several cost-effective steps you as a homeowner can take to reduce air leaks in your home. For example, cheap and effective weatherstripping is available at home improvement stores and will stop the leaks around doors and windows. Another do-it-yourself option is using expanding foam spray or caulking to fill in cracks, holes and gaps in basements, attics and your home’s foundation. Baseboards, fireplaces, rim joint, plumbing vents, outlets and switch plates are a few common areas where homes typically lose air.
Professional help
Even though the do-it-yourself approach will help stop some air leaks, there are several other areas where your home may be losing energy, which will require the help of a professional HVAC technician. The technician will perform an energy assessment of your home, utilizing the latest in HVAC testing equipment. This assessment will inform you of exactly where your home is wasting energy and what steps you can take to correct the problems.
An energy audit is a major step in creating an energy-efficient home that saves you money and boosts comfort levels. Furthermore, consider signing up for a preventive maintenance plan. Preventive maintenance plans keep your cooling and heating equipment functioning efficiently and safely. When the heating and cooling system is running smoothly, it uses less energy and reduces the amount of contaminants that can lower your indoor air quality.
For more information on air leaks and how you can eliminate them, contact the experts at Hartman Brothers Heating & Air Conditioning. Since 1963, we have provided affordable and reliable heating, cooling and air services to the Fort Wayne area.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in New Haven, Indiana and surrounding Fort Wayne area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about air leaks and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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