How to Maximize Your Home’s Heating Efficiency in Cold Weather
Winter is approaching and it is that time of year your monthly utility expenses will start to creep up, extra layers of clothing will become necessary and chilly rooms in your home might be your reality.
Here are a few tips to help you maximize your home’s heating efficiency and save on heating costs during the cold season.
Assess your Home’s Insulation
If the insulation in your home isn’t up to snuff, you should consider contacting a contractor for an inspection because you will be putting more money back in your pocket instead of just turning up your thermostat. Proper insulation is the key to keeping your heating costs under control.
If you live in an older home that has ‘personality,’ most likely your walls and floors have started to settle and sag over time and many older attics don’t have any sort of insulation at all. The heated air in your home is still forced into areas, such as your uninsulated attic, pushing the hot air right outside. Have your contractor check the R-value in your insulation material, which is the resistance to the flow of heat. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation. Verify that it reflects your region’s climate standards and your existing heating equipment.
Seal Gaps in Doors and Windows
Take a look at the doors and windows in your home for gaps. Seal anything that needs attention, otherwise you are just heating the neighborhood. We recommend using Energy Star® sealing materials to have the best bet of sealing gaps. The ducts and vents in your home lose about 20% of the heat pushed through them. That is not a direct reflection of your furnace, but rather the leaks and failing seals that exist around them. Turn your furnace on high heat to uncover these issues following the duct work system in your home.
Use Window Shades
Blinds on your windows can actually help increase the insulation in your home. Shades made from one-piece materials are made to trap energy in. Drawing these types of shades on colder nights will save you as much energy as in-floor insulation and you will definitely notice a difference.
Test For Hidden Leaks
Having a home performance test can identify areas for improvement in your home. Areas that they are able to check more easily than doing it yourself are the walls between your home & garage as well as your attic. Here at Lindus Construction, we have expert home installation technicians that will use our special diagnostic tools to pinpoint all the hidden air leaks in your home and properly seal them for maximum saving and comfort. We offer spray foam, blow-in cellulose & fiberglass insulation to fit the needs of all of our customers.
Many of the products we specialize in can help you maximize your home’s heating efficiency, and save you money on your utility costs. For more information about our home improvement services, contact us today.
