During the hottest and coldest months of the year, increased utility bills are not uncommon. While paying more for additional energy usage sounds fair, paying for wasted energy is not. Luckily, there are ways to reduce energy consumption, and one of the most effective is to seal air leaks.
If your home has air leaks, your air conditioning is literally going right out the window. Additionally, in the winter, cold drafts are sucked inside. These leaks force your HVAC system to work harder to maintain a constant temperature within your home. In order to end this waste and lower your bills, follow these simple steps to locate and repair home air leaks:
Consider common spots. Most air leaks occur around windows and doors. For example, if you can see daylight through the bottom of your front door, that’s a pretty good sign that you have an extensive air leak. In this case, the best repair method may be to install new weather stripping or, in extreme cases, replace older windows and doors.
Consider less obvious spots. In addition to windows and doors, an air leak can form around wiring holes, recessed lights, attic hatches, plumbing vents and knee walls. Once you pinpoint the areas, you can use weatherstripping, spray foam or caulking to prevent further air leakage.
Inspect the basement. Basements are notorious for their air leaks. Because most people do not spend a great deal of time in this portion of their home, they may miss obvious leaks. If your basement is not insulated, be sure to complete this task as soon as possible.
Call a heating and cooling technician. After you have sealed the air leaks within your home, be sure to call a professional in to inspect the work. He will be able to complete other important tasks as part of a maintenance check; most homes have no shortage of areas where energy is being wasted.
For any additional air leak or home heating and cooling concerns, please contact us at Marsh Heating & Air Conditioning. We’ve been serving the Twin Cities area since 1974.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about how to fix your air leaks and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning services Minnesota’s Twin Cities. Visit our website to schedule a free air check today!