In many homes, a few simple upgrades and a handful of quick maintenance tasks will have a huge impact on your heating and cooling bills.
Switch to a Smart Thermostat
Replacing your old thermostat with a smart thermostat is one of the easiest and most effective ways to improve your home’s efficiency and lower your energy bills. Some studies have shown that a smart thermostat can lower those bills by as much as 15 percent by automating your HVAC needs, and that means you could potentially save hundreds a year.
They are relatively inexpensive and easy to use, also, replacing a thermostat is typically a fairly simple job that requires nothing more than a screwdriver.
Replace Your Insulation
Even if you have a relatively new home, you might still have second-rate insulation in your attic. Many contractors use the cheapest insulation available to cut costs and increase profits on the job, and that can result in you footing the bill in high energy usage.
Replacing your current insulation with blow-in insulation is a relatively simple project that should only take an experienced contractor a single afternoon.
You can also tackle this project on your own if you have a spare weekend by renting some of the equipment, even if you have no experience.
Find and Fix Air Leaks
The average home has dozens of air leaks around doors, windows, vents, and plumbing lines. When those air leaks aren’t addressed, it is very difficult for you to keep your home at a consistent temperature during the hottest and coldest months of the year.
You can use some all-purpose caulk that was designed for outdoor use to seal up smaller openings or install weatherstripping for larger gaps such as around your doors.
At least once or twice a year, you should check all of the sealed openings to make sure that the caulk is still intact and your current weatherstripping is still doing its job. In some cases, it is best to even use a heat gun to see exactly where you have leaks in your home’s exterior.
temperature measurementinfrared thermal
some heat prevention tools to consider
Have Your HVAC System Serviced
Your heating and cooling system does withstand quite a bit of wear and tear over the years, and having it serviced is one of the best ways to keep it running smoothly and efficiently.
Those service calls should typically be carried out at least once every six months so that the technician can ensure that all of the parts are undamaged and working properly. In some cases, you might even be required to schedule regular service calls to keep your warranty active.
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If you have tried all of these tasks and are still struggling with unmanageable energy bills, then you might need to hire an inspector. A certified inspector can look over your entire home to see if there are any additional efficiency issues that need to be addressed.
This will come with an upfront cost, but the long-term benefits will outweigh this expense overall.
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Image credit: improving the efficiency of you home’s heating and cooling by twenty20.com
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