Are you safely insulated and warm this winter?
Insulation & Heating/Cooling Systems
In our final installment of our 3 part DIY Home Energy Consultation series we’ll take a more in-depth look at Insulation and Heating/Cooling systems.
It’s important to do everything we can to hold onto heat in the winter, and often it’s the little things that can make a difference. However, homeowners often overlook a very important piece to home energy conservation – proper Insulation over time.
Check Insulation
Heat loss through the ceiling and walls in your home can be considerable if insulation levels are less than the recommended minimum. For homes built in the last 5 to 10 years, the builder likely installed the amount of insulation recommended at that time however that level of insulation might be inadequate.
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Important Things to Check For:
- If your attic hatch is located above a conditioned space, check to see if it is at least as heavily insulated as the attic, is weather stripped, and closes tightly.
- In the attic, determine whether openings for items such as pipes, ductwork, and chimneys are sealed. Seal any gaps with an expanding foam caulk or some other permanent sealant.
- While you are inspecting the attic, check to see if there is a vapor barrier under the attic insulation. The vapor barrier might be tarpaper, Kraft paper attached to fiberglass batts, or a plastic sheet. If there does not appear to be a vapor barrier, you might consider painting the interior ceilings with vapor barrier paint. This reduces the amount of water vapor that can pass through the ceiling. Large amounts of moisture can reduce the effectiveness of insulation and promote structural damage.
- Make sure that the attic vents are not blocked by insulation and cover the entire attic floor with at least the current recommended amount of insulation.
- If your basement is unheated, determine whether there is insulation under the living area flooring. If the basement is heated, the foundation walls should be insulated. Your hot water pipes, and furnace ducts should all be insulated.
Heating and Cooling Equipment
Inspect heating and cooling equipment at least once a year. If you have a forced-air furnace, check your filters and replace them as needed. Filters should be changed about once every month or two, especially during periods of high usage.
- Have a professional check and clean your equipment once a year. Morris Mechanical offers service agreements to ensure you’re always getting the best performance out of your equipment.
- If your unit is more than 15 years old, you should consider replacing your system with one of the newer, energy-efficient units. A new unit would greatly reduce your energy consumption, especially if the existing equipment is in poor condition.
- Check ductwork for dirt streaks, especially near seams. These indicate air leaks, and they should be sealed. Insulate any ducts or pipes that travel through unheated spaces.
Professional Home Energy Consultation
Once you have finished your do-it-yourself Checklist, consider calling in Morris Mechanical Plumbing, Heating and Air to complete a more thorough consultation. Your self-assessment can help us better analyze your home and potential areas for savings.
