Don’t Let Heat Loss Get the Best of You or Your Wallet
Heat loss can plague any household, even those in sunny Florida. This occurs particularly when the desired temperature inside your home is higher than the temperature outside of it. The warm air that your HVAC system produces can escape through air leaks, which causes the system to work harder to make up for that lost heat. This may lead to an increase in your utility bills as well as repair bills if the leaks persist long enough.
Check out these AC Maintenance tips to see how you can beat heat loss and save your money!
- Inspect your home: Look around the outside and inside of your home for any possible sources of leaks. This includes areas where two different building materials meet as well as the areas around electrical outlets, switch plates, vents, fans, and baseboards.
- Seal leaks: Seal off any air leaks to keep your warm air inside and to protect your living space from intruding hot outdoor air in the warmer months. Locate any visible gaps or cracks in your exterior walls and where the siding meets the foundation, and seal them with caulk. Also be sure to check the areas around your doors and window frames for any leaks.
- Duct inspections: Unless you live in a new home, it is important to have your ducts inspected yearly to make sure they’re sealed and insulated properly, and free of debris. Duct leaks or poorly insulated ducts will release warm air from your HVAC system before it ever reaches your living spaces. In addition, any airflow impediments may decrease your energy efficiency.
- Properly insulate: A lack of proper insulation can also contribute to heat loss. This includes your attic, crawl spaces, and interior walls. If you cannot finance a whole-home insulation upgrade, focus on your attic first as it is one of the most notable sources of heat loss.
- Insulate your pipes: Believe it or not, your water heater and the pipes that travel from it into your home can also contribute to energy loss. Be sure to insulate both your water heater tank and the pipes.
Contact the experts at Gulf Coast Air Systems today for more information on how you can protect your home, your wallet, and your appliances from heat loss.
