Annual heating and cooling bills can make a considerable dent in your budget. Of course, the best way to combat the high cost of energy is by improving the energy efficiency of your home. According to Energy Star, by following a few simple suggestions, Dayton residents can improve their energy savings by as much as 26 percent.
If you have air leaks in your home, seal them. Do-it-yourself jobs may require little more than weather stripping, spray foam and caulk. Larger insulation issues, of course, may require the assistance of a professional. The same holds true for leaky ductwork. While you may be able to access portions of your ductwork, professional assistance is required for those harder-to-reach areas.
If your HVAC system is nearing 10 years of age, it may be time to consider a replacement. Older systems don’t operate with the same efficiency as newer models. In fact, replacing your system with an Energy Star-qualified model could provide you with an energy savings of up to 20 percent.
Energy Star-qualified products in general are a great way to improve the efficiency of your home HVAC system. For example, replacing your water heater with an Energy Star-qualified model will reduce energy consumption, and upgrading to qualified windows will improve comfort and protect your family from the harmful rays of the sun.
Programmable thermostats are another option for improved energy efficiency, as they allow you to program your household climate according to the weekly routine of your family. By decreasing energy consumption while you’re away, you’ll see energy savings over time.
These are but a few Energy Star suggestions for Ohio homeowners. For a more accurate assessment of your household efficiency, contact Ace Hardware Home Services today for consultation. With more than three generations of experience, Ace Hardware Home Services can provide you the type of expert guidance you need to maximize your home energy savings and reduce long-term energy costs.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information, click here to download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
Ace Hardware Home Services services the Ohio’s Miami Valley. To get started, check out our website or request an appointment.
