Fall is in full swing, and it’s time to start getting your home ready for this year’s heating season. Along with HVAC equipment maintenance, you should also take steps to ensure your house is ready for the winter. Here are some home maintenance tips that will improve both energy efficiency and comfort.
- Seal air and energy leaks: Probably the most important home maintenance task is finding and sealing air and energy leaks in your home’s structure. These leaks allow warm air to escape unused. You end up paying more for indoor comfort while also wasting substantial amounts of energy and money. Look for air leaks in areas such around doors, windows and their frames, at the point where the foundation meets the house frame, and in areas where wires, conduits or pipes penetrate the walls. Seal these leaks with caulking or other appropriate material. Install weatherstripping around doors and windows. If needed, you can have your HVAC professional conduct an energy audit to locate and seal leaks.
- Inspect the roof: Check your roof for damage or deterioration that may have occurred over the course of the year. This can include loose or missing shingles, holes in the roof or other obvious damage. Roof damage can contribute to energy loss and it can also make it easier for leaks to occur during rainstorms or when snow and ice melt.
- Clean the gutters: Gutters and downspouts should be cleaned of any accumulations of sticks, leaves or other material. Clogged gutters can lead to water leaks if the rain or melted snow has nowhere to go. Blocked gutters can also contribute to the formation of ice dams that cause water leaks.
- Install storm doors and windows: Install storm doors and windows to help improve energy efficiency for the winter season. Remove screens if any are in place and store them appropriately.
Energy 1 offers top-quality sales, installation, service, and maintenance for HVAC systems in Lorain, Cuyahoga and Erie Counties. Contact us today for more information on home maintenance and how to keep your residential spaces more comfortable and energy efficient this heating season.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Lorain, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
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Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning
1 (440) 246-5440
Serving the Lorain, OH Area