When fall arrives in south Texas, it’s wise to look for ways to improve your household energy efficiency so you can save money on heating costs. Here are some smart strategies that you can implement to help keep your energy bills under control this winter.
Boost Your Home’s Insulation Levels
In our area, the U.S. Department of Energy recommends having a total of R-49 installed on the attic floor, and R-13 to R-19 in the exterior walls to limit heat loss. Having the right amount of properly-installed insulation also reduces heat gain in the summer, so it’s an investment that pays off year round.
Eliminate Air Leakage Through the Envelope
The combined air leaks in the average home are equivalent a three-foot hole through an outside wall, so air sealing your home can provide significant energy savings. To curb leakage, re-caulk the windows, apply weatherstripping to exterior doors and use expandable foam insulation to fill gaps around the foundation and any pipes, wiring and vents extruding through the shell.
Have Air Ducts Sealed and Insulated
If you have a forced-air HVAC system, leaky, uninsulated ducts can rob you of up to 30 percent of conditioned air output. Having the ducts professionally sealed with fiberglass mesh and mastic and then wrapped in R-8 insulation can reduce these energy losses and improve your comfort too.
Install a Programmable Thermostat to Reduce Energy Consumption
Pick a model that matches your weekly schedule and install it in a central location away from direct sunlight, doorways, drafts and heat sources. Once it’s in place, program in temperature setbacks based on your usual routine. To generate the greatest energy savings, schedule daily setbacks for at least eight-hour periods.
Schedule a Professional Tune Up
Routine maintenance not only keeps the heating system running efficiency, but it also ensures the equipment is operating safely. As an added bonus, it allows your HVAC technician to identify any minor issues that need attention before they escalate into big repair bills.
To learn more about improving energy efficiency in your Coastal Bend home, contact the knowledgeable pros at CCAC today.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Corpus Christi, Texas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
Credit/Copyright Attribution: “Kamil Macniak/Shutterstock”
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