Whether it’s cooling or heating season, your HVAC system works hard to keep your home comfortable. One way to help your system run more efficiently is by ensuring your home is properly insulated. Good insulation helps minimize heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer, meaning your HVAC system won’t have to work as hard (and use as much energy) to maintain a comfortable temperature in your home. A properly insulated home can even help prevent expensive air conditioning repair in Spring, TX. Here are a few tips on insulating your home for maximum HVAC efficiency.
Check your insulation levels
Most homes are under-insulated, so if you’re not sure how much insulation you have, it’s probably a good idea to add more. You can usually find out the recommended insulation levels for your area by contacting your local utility company or visiting the Department of Energy’s website.
Air seal your home
Another way to improve your home’s energy efficiency is by air sealing any cracks or gaps around doors, windows, and other openings. This will help prevent warm air from escaping in the winter and cool air from escaping in the summer, making it easier for your HVAC system to maintain a comfortable temperature in your home.
Weatherstripping is a popular way to air seal doors and windows. Here are steps on how to weatherstrip a door:
- Start by removing the old weatherstripping from the door. If it’s in good shape, you can reuse it. Otherwise, you’ll need to buy new weatherstripping.
- Clean the surface of the door where the weatherstripping will be applied. This will help the new stripping adhere better.
- Apply the new stripping around the perimeter of the door, making sure to press it firmly into place.
- If necessary, use a utility knife to trim any excess stripping.
Add window film
Another way to air seal your windows is by adding window film. Window film helps block out drafts and heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer. It’s a relatively inexpensive way to improve your home’s energy efficiency, and it can be found at most hardware stores.
Consider upgrading to energy-efficient windows
If your home has single-pane windows, you may lose a lot of heat in the winter and let in a lot of heat in the summer. Upgrading to energy-efficient windows can help reduce this heat loss and gain, making it easier for your HVAC system to keep your home comfortable year-round.
By following these tips, you can help improve the energy efficiency of your home and make it easier (and cheaper) to keep comfortable all year long. So don’t wait – start insulating today!
If your energy bills continue to be high after taking these steps, or if you notice your home is still drafty, contact a local HVAC company for further assistance. The problem could be with the unit itself and may require a professional cooling and heating repair in Spring, TX. Contact your trusted plumbing team today to schedule a consultation!
