If you notice your utility bills going higher than expected this summer, you can rein in those seasonal cooling costs by finding places where you can tighten up your household by sealing up air and energy leaks. Here are a few steps you can take that will save both money and energy.
Seal obvious leaks: Locate spots where air is escaping your home and where warm outdoor air is coming in. Seal gaps, cracks, holes and other openings with latex or silicone caulking, weatherstripping or foam insulation. Put rubber weatherstripping around the edges of doors and windows to block energy loss. Seal around glass panes in doors with silicone caulking. Check for leaks around chimneys, exhaust fans, plumbing pipes, utility lines and the point where your home’s foundation meets the frame.
Add insulation: Insulation resists heat transfer, so it keeps warmth from getting in during the summer. Add more insulation to walls, attic, basement, crawl spaces and unconditioned areas where cooling energy can be lost. Make sure the supply and return ducts in your cooling system are well sealed and properly fitted. Seal duct joints with mastic or metal tape to prevent air loss at these connections. Insulate ductwork to prevent energy loss through the relatively thin metal of the ductwork.
Replace windows: If possible, replace regular windows with Energy Star-certified windows. Get new windows with energy-saving characteristics such as double-paned insulated glass, insulated frames and low-E coatings. If replacement is out of the question, install storm doors, storm windows and window treatments that are designed to reduce heat loss through the windows.
Get a properly-sized air conditioner: Make sure your air conditioner is the right size to provide enough indoor cooling. Your HVAC contractor can perform a load calculation that will tell you exactly how much cooling your home needs and what size cooling system will supply it.
Air Assurance has over 30 years of experience serving HVAC customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow areas. Contact us today for more energy-saving ideas and information on how to tighten up your home and cut your cooling costs throughout the season.Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Air Assurance services Tulsa, Broken Arrow and the surrounding areas. Visit our website to see our current promotions and get started today!