The most efficient, up-to-date HVAC system on the market won’t lead to energy savings if you don’t take measures to make your home efficient as well.
Live by these tips for energy savings this winter.
1. Seal up the air leaks.
Light an incense stick and carry it around your home, testing for air leaks. Hold it in front of window frames, door frames, recessed lighting, the attic hatch, baseboards and electric plugs. If the smoke wavers, you have a leak. Hire a professional to fix leaks with insulation, weatherstripping and caulk.
2. Check ductwork for holes and disconnected segments.
When you call your HVAC company for a furnace inspection, ask if the technician can check your ductwork to make sure there are no holes, cracks or disconnected segments leaking air into the attic or basement.
3. Check the thermostat.
If you have an up-to-date digital, programmable or Wi-fi thermostat, it should be calibrated to maintain your house’s temperature fairly close to the set points. Analog thermostats are somewhat less accurate. But do have your technician check the thermostat to make sure it’s working properly.
4. Make sure all dampers are open, and no vents are obstructed.
Your furnace or heating system will not do a proper job of heating your home if the dampers are partially closed and there are obstructions such as drapes, furniture or carpets blocking vents. Do not close the dampers in an attempt to save energy going to unused rooms, which makes the unit work inefficiently.
5. Keep a clean air filter in the HVAC system.
Winter or summer, the filter in the HVAC system should always be clean. Change it according to manufacturer’s instructions, or more often if you have a lot of dust and shedding pets. A dirty filter impedes air flow and causes your heating system to work harder than it should, wasting energy.
To learn more about energy savings, contact Energy 1 Heating and Air Conditioning. We serve Lorain, Elyria, Oberlin and the surrounding area.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Lorain, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 440-201-2959.
Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning
1 (440) 246-5440
Serving the Lorain, OH Area