Home heating and cooling consumes as much as 50 percent of annual expenditures on energy in a typical home. With such a large portion of your household budget going to indoor comfort, you want to make sure that there's very little energy waste throughout your residence. A do-it-yourself home energy evaluation can help you find out where in your house you're losing energy and money, and reveal where you need to focus repair and conservation efforts.
Air leaks
Air leaks are a major source of energy loss in any home, accounting for as much as 30 percent loss of energy. These leaks are caused by cracks, gaps, holes or other openings where conditioned air (heated or cooled) can escape your home unused. Look for drafts and other obvious sources of air leakage. Check around the baseboards and areas where the ceiling connects with the walls.
Look for air leaks in areas such as:
- Window frames and glass panes
- Doors leading outside
- Electrical outlets
- Light switch plates
- Fireplace dampers
- Attic doors
- Mail slots
- Window air conditioners
Seal any gaps or holes you find with weather-stripping or caulking. Repair cracks in concrete foundations, walls or other areas. Seal any openings between areas where the roof or foundation meets walls or at the top of the basement.
Air leaks in your HVAC system’s ductwork can also lead to considerable energy loss. Make sure all ductwork sections fit tightly together and are adequately sealed with metal tape or mastic.
Insulation
Check insulation levels throughout your house to make sure there's enough to keep seasonal temperatures out and conditioned air in.
HVAC maintenance
Change filters in your heating and cooling systems and schedule professional maintenance by an HVAC expert. This will keep your system running well and improve energy efficiency.
Lighting
Replace high-wattage light bulbs with lower-wattage bulbs. Usually, 60- or 75-watt bulbs are sufficient. Switch to compact fluorescent bulbs for even greater energy savings.
For almost 50 years, Hartman Brothers Heating & Air Conditioning has served HVAC customers in the New Haven and Fort Wayne area. Contact us today for more information on conducting a home energy evaluation or to schedule a professional evaluation for your house.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about home energy evaluations 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!