Improving home energy efficiency is one of the best things you can do with your spare time this summer. Temperatures are moderate, and it’s a good time to work in the attic or outdoors, undertaking projects that will help lower your energy bills year-round. Three of these projects include adding insulation, sealing air leaks and tending to your HVAC equipment.
1. Insulation
The federal EPA recommends that you have at least 16 inches of insulation in your attic. This much insulation also keeps your home considerably cooler in the summer by blocking the transference of heat from the attic, where temperature can reach 150 degrees on a hot, sunny day. It also keeps your home warmer during our cold winters.Batt or blown-in insulation are affordable products that give you a sizable payoff for many years by keeping temperatures stable inside your home. You may be able to do the job yourself, but if not, you can use a contractor for the job.
2. Air leaks
Sealing air leaks for improving home energy efficiency is the next step in reining in utility bills. The easy places to spot are the joints between your window frames and your siding, exterior doors, and electrical outlets and switches on exterior walls. Harder places to inspect are your attic and the basement. Pipes leading into or from these areas can allow air in or out of your home. You can seal leaks with exterior caulk or expanding foam. Home centers sell foam gaskets for the outlets and switches.
3. HVAC equipment
Check and clean or replace the air filter for the blower. Keep the outdoor condenser clean and free from vegetative debris, including grass clippings. Use a mild spray with the hose to knock down dust and remove dried clippings.
Marsh Heating & Air Conditioning has provided HVAC services for the Twin Cities area since 1974. We can help with improving home energy efficiency by conducting an energy evaluation, as well as sealing leaky ducts and tuning up your HVAC equipment. Please contact us to learn more.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Minnesota’s Twin Cities about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about energy efficiency and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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