Keeping your home at a stable temperature is easier said than done, and you might find yourself struggling with huge energy bills whenever the weather changes. Luckily, there are a few simple steps that you can take to improve the efficiency of your home while keeping your family as comfortable as possible.
Upgrade Your Insulation
Upgrading your insulation is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to improve your home’s energy efficiency. Insulation is eventually going to get matted and torn, and that will allow warm air to escape during the coolest months of the year. Fiberglass blankets and batts are very easy to install on your own, but you might want to consider hiring a contractor who specializes in blown-in cellulose. That type of insulation is extremely cost-efficient, and an experienced contractor should be able to insulate your entire attic in just a few hours.
Seal Around Doors and Windows
In the average home, most of the heat loss occurs around the doors and windows. While some heat loss is completely unavoidable, putting a little all-purpose caulking around your doors and windows could greatly improve your home’s efficiency. You should also take a look at all of the vents, pipes, and outlets that are on the exterior walls of your home. The walls are going to shift and bend over the years, and that can lead to small cracks around those openings.
Use Your Fans Strategically
Many homeowners are surprised to hear that ceiling fans should be used strategically throughout the year. When a fan is spinning counterclockwise, it can make a room feel up to 8 degrees cooler. In the winter months, you should reverse your fans so that they redistribute the warm air. You can also crack windows on opposite ends of your home to let a cool breeze blow through when the weather is pleasant.
Have Your HVAC System Serviced
Changing air filters and other basic maintenance tasks can be done without a contractor, but you should have your HVAC system professionally serviced at least once every six or seven months. Fluctuating outdoor temperatures can push an HVAC system to its limit, and an air conditioning service call is going to greatly improve the efficiency of that system. Your HVAC contractor can also catch small issues before they become catastrophic problems.
While these few tips are going to be a great start, improving the efficiency of your home is an ongoing process. Keeping your home well-maintained in the coming years will greatly reduce your energy consumption and save you huge sums of money.
