All homeowners like their homes to be comfortable all year round and, especially, during the colder months. Unfortunately enough, it often proves difficult for many homes to maintain a stable and warm indoor temperature during the wintry season. Many homeowners compensate by setting their thermostat to a higher temperature. Raising the temperature works as a temporary solution. However, it isn’t long before they notice a steep increase in their energy bills and the lessening in the overall energy efficiency of your home.
The good news is that there is an alternative which is healthier, more cost-effective, and permanent. We will go into some of these preventive methods later in this article. However, beforehand, one needs to understand that air leaks and drafts are one of the main culprits that reduce energy efficiency.
With this being said, proper detection and plugging up of these drafts and air leaks in your Raritan NJ home will increase it’s energy efficiency. This is an effective preventive, air-sealing solution that we highly recommend. In this article, we will discuss some of the best methods to make your home air-sealed and free from drafts and leaks.
Learn More About Our Heating Services
Air Leak Prevention Tips
There is little doubt of the veracity of the old adage ‘prevention is better than cure’. This saying holds just as much truth when it comes to the proper insulation of a drafty home. To begin with, you need to do some through inspecting. This is true, especially in certain sections of the house where drafts and leaks commonly occur.
Once you have found most of the sources…
which contribute to the biggest energy drains in your house, then you can set about sealing up those leaks by applying the proper methods.
How To Go About It
Typically, the biggest and the most expensive leaks are found in the attics and basements of a house. So, naturally, it stands to reason that we must begin with those areas. Once you have found the sources of the leaks, you ought to properly seal those leaks with squirt foam. It is important that you spend an adequate amount of time to find all the leaks in your attic and especially, in the basement. Don’t dismiss small or thin leaks. Even these will impact your home heating costs.
Run Air Leak Tests
To obtain more foolproof results…
you may consider hiring a contractor who, with the help of advanced air leak detector tools, can help you find even the smallest and hair-thin leaks throughout all the rooms in your house. A contractor will also offer proper suggestions on how to seal those leaks and other ways to increase the energy efficiency of your home.
This is great way to decrease your energy costs throughout the winter. Many homeowners are surprised to find out how much energy loss occurs in their home after they have had an energy assessment with a professional.
Do It Yourself
However, even without hiring a specialist, you can do a pretty good job of making your home air-sealed as long as you have the proper air sealing techniques. Some of the most common culprits, when it comes to air leaks, are door and window frames, gaps around the flues, chimneys, and recessed lights. For recessed lights, you can do one of two things:
- Purchase ‘insulation contact and air tight’ (ICAT) labeled lights
- Use an airtight baffle to seal the existing lights
As for doors, window frames, as well as gaps around the edges of the flues and chimneys, make sure to carefully caulk all those gaps. All these will make a big impact. The good news is that all of the material needed to perform these tasks should only cost you about 20 dollars or so.
Doing this increases your home’s energy efficiency. Your heater will work less and, therefore, it won’t feel the unnecessary stress that overworked heaters experience. This helps your system last longer. Also, you will see a reduction in your energy bills and repair bills.
Get A Heater Tune-Up
Last, but not the least, a properly functioning heating system also contributes (in a big way) towards making your home more energy efficient.
Make sure to schedule an annual heater tune-up with a reputable HVAC contractor.
A maintained heater works efficiently and therefore, it will consume less energy. Additional benefits that come with proper heater maintenance include reduced repair costs, improved indoor air quality, a higher level of comfort, and a system that lasts longer.
Call To Schedule Heater Service
Air Leaks Raritan NJ
Home maintenance may often come off as a challenge for many homeowners. However, as long as you stay on top of potential issues, you will deal with it more easily. This is true in terms of your time and finances. But if it still happens that you are not able to deal with some problems all by yourself, you can always seek the assistance of experienced and knowledgeable HVAC experts and technicians.
For professional heating services, contact Skylands Energy. Our NATE certified technicians can tune up your heater to ensure it performs optimally throughout the winter season. This will help reduce your home heating costs and increase the energy efficiency of your home. Also, our contractors can suggest methods that will improve the energy efficiency of your home. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
Some of the areas we service include: Bridgewater, Flagtown, Raritan, Somerville and these zip codes: 08807, 08821, 08869, 08876 as well as all surrounding areas in Somerset County, New Jersey.
Contact us now at (908) 707-1776 to find out more!
The post Prevent Drafts And Air Leaks In Your Home This Winter appeared first on Skylands Energy.
from Skylands Energy https://skylandsenergy.com/heating/air-leaks-raritan-nj-prevent-drafts-home-winter/
via IFTTT
No comments:
Post a Comment