The Fresno area is fortunate to have mild winters compared to colder regions of the country. But that doesn’t mean area residents can’t save money on energy usage during the heating months. In fact, you may be surprised where you can save energy in your home. Consider these energy efficiency tips.
Button Up Your Home
Your home is comprised of many interconnected systems. The first line of defense against energy waste is buttoning up your home’s envelope. Here’s how:
- Leaky windows: Air leaks are common around worn weatherstripping of exterior doors, a leaky attic hatch or poorly installed window frames. Silicone caulk is excellent for sealing window frames since it is weather resistant.
- Leaky doors: If you need to replace the weatherstripping around your exterior doors, silicone tubing is a highly recommended material. Door sweeps are great for blocking drafts at the threshold or saddle.
- Attic hatch: Warm air naturally rises above cool air. Make sure your attic hatch is properly sealed with foam weatherstripping to prevent air leakage.
Thermostat Settings
The federal Energy Star program suggests setting your thermostat to 68 degrees during the heating months when your home is occupied. Turn back the temperature setting to 58 to 64 degrees when no one is home and save significantly on heating costs.
Alternatively, install a programmable thermostat to maximize energy conservation, energy efficiency and home comfort on your schedule.
Air Duct Inspection
Perhaps more than any other home system, leaky air ducts waste a substantial amount of energy while creating hot and cold spots in the typical home. Inspect accessible air ducts for leaks, which can be identified by rattling noises and dirt streaks on ductwork and insulation. Seal duct leaks with mastic paste and HVAC industry-approved metal tape.
For the best results, schedule fall HVAC maintenance with your service provider. Sealed ductwork and a finely tuned furnace go a long way to improving comfort and saving heating costs.
For more energy efficiency tips, contact Donald P. Dick Air Conditioning today. We’ve served Fresno area residents and businesses since 1970.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in the greater Fresno, California area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
Credit/Copyright Attribution: “Robyn Mackenzie/Shutterstock”