Ways to Improve the Performance of Your Heating and Cooling System

The old saying that “a chain is only as strong as the weakest link” holds true for your heating and cooling system in your home. If one component  gets neglected or lacks routine maintenance, it will affect the way your system works together. In order to keep your heating and cooling system running smoothly, there are several things you can do to improve your system’s efficiency, like regular service check-ups and monthly filter changes.

There are things you as a homeowner can do behind the scenes to ensure a properly suited environment for running your system.

This minor duct problem could add up on your electric bill.

• Inspect Your Ductwork – Air is “delivered” through your house’s ductwork. It must be properly designed to work efficiently in your home. Check for areas in the ductwork that might allow for leaking such as obvious gaps or crushed  and kinked ducts. A contractor can seal any area that causes your air, cold or hot, to leak out. For maximum efficiency, install ductwork that is better insulated and fulfills the load requirement to get the correct amount of air to where you need it. Proper duct work equals less energy used and more comfort.
• Upgrade Insulation – If your ductwork or your home is not properly insulated, you will lose a portion of your conditioned air. You should have  approximately 12 inches of insulation in your attic  in our area (Hampton Roads). Code is R-30 which is 9.5 inches. This is a great investment of your time and money as it pays for itself all year in energy savings and comfort. You can do it your self or have a professional company do it for you. New ducts now require a 2 inch duct wrap by code to help keep the air warmer or cooler on its way to your rooms.
• Seal Your Attic and Crawl Space – Seal the holes the plumbers and electricians left behind. This helps keep bugs and unwanted drafts of nasty air out of your house. If you seal and insulate the attic access entry points, you will save money on your heating and cooling costs as these places are well known for leaking large amounts of air.  Just by weather stripping the opening and gluing insulation foam boards to the wood covers is a big help and easy to do. You can have these areas professionally encapsulated fro the greatest savings, but the costs are high.

For more energy saving tips, Google “Energy Saving Tips for Homeowners” and you will be led to many sites that can help.