Every year, about half of the energy consumed in your home goes into controlling your home’s temperature. Insulation alone helps cut this cost instrumentally, and the cost falls even more when you use energy saving tips for heating, cooling, and ventilation.
Insulation reduces energy consumption by stopping heat from travelling in and out of your house. When coupled with air sealing, insulation will turn the shell of your home into a protective barrier from unwanted temperature changes.
Insulating and air sealing your walls, ceilings, floors, windows, and doors can save you up to 20% a year on heating and cooling costs alone. This amounts to about 10% savings on your entire annual home bill.
The numbers show that insulation and air sealing definitely save you money and save energy, but there are also small things you can do inside your home to add to the savings. By learning how to heat and cool your home efficiently, you can boost insulation’s effects on saving.
1. Use your blinds.
Just like your mother always told you, you can cool a house in the summer without using an air conditioner. Close the blinds on the window to block direct sunlight from coming into your home on hot days. This added shade protects your home from the heat of the sun, so you don’t need to use as much air conditioning or have all of your fans on high.
In the winter, make sure you keep your blinds open during the day. The sunlight’s heat will now help keep your home warmer and more comfortable. Working with the sun is a natural way to heat and cool your home while saving energy and money.
2. Install a programmable thermostat.
By the simple click of a button, you can save. Install a programmable thermostat to set your home’s temperature to where you are comfortable when you are home. When you leave the house for a day, a week, or even just a few hours, change the thermostat’s setting to a temperature closer to the outside air. When you return, restore the thermostat’s temperature to one that makes you comfortable.
A programmable thermostat saves your heating and cooling systems from constantly working hard to maintain a constant temperature. It can save you at least $180 in heating and cooling costs every year. This is an easy way to save without compromising your comfort.
3. Change your ventilation’s air filter regularly.
A dirty filter slows airflow so the system has to work harder and use more energy to produce clean air. By checking your filter regularly, you can avoid a buildup of dust and keep the ventilation system working properly. The easier the job is for your heating, cooling, and ventilation systems, the more energy and money you save.
Check your air filter at least once every couple months to make sure it doesn’t get too dirty. If it looks dirty, change it. Typically the filter should be changed every three months to keep it clean.
4. Seal your heating and cooling ducts.
Your heating and cooling ducts work by moving the hot or cold air throughout your home. If they are leaking, then more air needs to be pushed through in order to bring your home to the temperature you want. Sealing the leaks is the simple solution to this problem.
Air sealing your ducts can improve their efficiency by at least 20% when sealed by a professional. This is an easy fix that can improve your heating and cooling systems.
While insulation and air sealing are ways to save huge amounts of energy and money, there are also small steps you can take within your home to help your heating, cooling, and ventilation systems. By simply being aware of the energy that your home uses to regulate temperature, you can learn how to save.
