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During cold winter months, you are perfectly aware that heating costs make up the bulk of your electricity or gas bill.<\/p>\nDuring cold winter months, you are perfectly aware that heating costs make up the bulk of your electricity or gas bill.<\/p>\n
Consequently you want your HVAC system to work as efficiently and as effortlessly as possible, so you can enjoy the warmth it produces without worrying yourself to death about how rapidly the dial on your energy meter is spinning.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, wintertime heat loss is a common source of waste in most homes. Even well-constructed buildings are far from airtight and it is amazing how much heat can escape into the open air if sources of leakage go unnoticed.<\/p>\n
As winter has progressed have you noticed your energy costs rising? Do your bills seem out-of-proportion in comparison to friends and neighbors? Do you notice your furnace kicking on and off more frequently than in the past? Are there certain rooms in your home that seem noticeably colder than others?<\/p>\n
All of these indicate you have a heat loss problem and that it is significant enough to be having a measurable impact.<\/p>\n
Learn the sources of heat loss problems.<\/p>\n
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Air leaks in homes can happen just about anywhere. The best way to detect them is to contact your local energy company and ask them to send a consultant to your home to perform a heat loss audit (this service may be offered for free). If they can\u2019t or won\u2019t send someone you can always hire a private home energy auditor, who will most likely do it for a relatively small fee.<\/p>\n
In the meantime, you can look around on your own to see what you can spot. Here are a few things to check for:<\/p>\n
Cracks and spaces here are fairly easy to find. Just stand on the other side, feel around the perimeter of your doors and windows and see if streams of warm air are escaping (or cool air is coming in). It can usually be fairly easy to fix door and window gaps with caulk or weather stripping that you can buy and apply yourself.<\/p>\n
Other locations where gaps may be causing air leakage include electrical outlets, plumbing cuts beneath sinks and dryer vents on outside walls. All can be plugged with caulk or foam sealers (just make sure to remove the foam sealer before using your dryer).<\/p>\n
HVAC units won\u2019t move air properly if filters are clogged or vents plugged or blocked. It\u2019s fairly easy to check for this and to take action to combat it, either by cleaning where you can or buying a replacement air filter when it\u2019s dirty.<\/p>\n
This can be traced to inadequate insulation, unsealed wall partitions that channel heat from below or even poor attic ventilation.<\/p>\n
For the most part you won\u2019t be able to tell if the insulation in your walls, floors and ceilings is adequate or has somehow been compromised. Bad insulation is a big source of leakage, however, and it is one problem a home heat loss audit can help you uncover.<\/p>\n
Heat loss will make you colder, cost you money and put undue stress on your furnace to the point where its life span may be reduced.<\/p>\n
Have you noticed heat loss in your home or problems with your heater? Contact the heating and cooling experts at Bruce\u2019s Air Conditioning & Heating. Our licensed and professional technicians will thoroughly inspect your heater and home and provide a viable solution to your problem.<\/p>\n