Every home has a cooling load, the amount of cooling required to keep the interior at the temperature its occupants prefer. Characteristics of your home such as size, directional orientation and number of windows, as well as local climate, will determine the cooling load. Decreasing the cooling load will also decrease the amount your air conditioner or heat pump has to work, which will lower your overall energy bills. Here are some ways to get a lower cooling load:
- Seal leaks: Close up leaks to cut down on a major source of energy loss. Seal holes, openings, or gaps in your home's structure. Put weatherstripping around doors and windows to stop drafts and leaks. Make sure ductwork sections fit together snugly and that duct connections are sealed with mastic or metal tape.
- Get preventive maintenance: Schedule regular preventive maintenance for your HVAC system. This will keep the system working efficiently and providing the amount of cooling you want. Keep clean filters in the system; change them every month if dirty, or every three months in general.
- Reduce heat gain from sunlight: When sunlight shines into your home through the windows, it causes heat gain, an increase in indoor temperatures. Close drapes or curtains to block sunlight. Apply window treatments that block or reflect sunlight.
- Control indoor heat sources: Don't use kitchen ovens for cooking when you can avoid it. Instead, use microwaves, countertop grills, outdoor grills or toaster ovens. Remove incandescent light bulbs and replace them with compact fluorescent lamps. Operate heat-generating appliances such as dryers and dishwashers at night.
- Add more insulation: Increase the amount of insulation in walls, ceilings, crawl spaces, basement and attic. Insulate the cooling system's ductwork with rigid fiber board insulation or blanket-style insulation to prevent energy loss through the metal itself.
- Use ceiling fans: Install ceiling fans and run them frequently. Circulation from a ceiling fan helps keep cool air moving through your home and cools you directly.
Hartman Brothers Heating & Air Conditioning is an HVAC contractor serving customers in the Fort Wayne area. Contact us today for more information on lowering your home's cooling load, and at the same time reducing your monthly cooling expenses.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about cooling load and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
Hartman Brothers services New Haven, IN and the surrounding Fort Wayne area. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!