Have you noticed that when your healthy eating, sleeping and exercise habits are in sync, your body feels energized and efficient? Your home isn’t all that different. When all of its systems are up to date, properly maintained and working together, your home benefits from whole-house efficiency. Fall is a good time to perform an energy audit, and make the necessary changes to enjoy an energy-efficient home.Here are steps you can take to ensure your home’s systems are working in sync. A weakness in one area will affect the whole.

Sealing the leaks. An airtight home helps to prevent your warm conditioned air from escaping during the winter months, and keeps warm exterior air from penetrating during the summer months. Take a walk around the home’s exterior and identify any noticeable gaps where the siding meets the foundation, wall cracks, or gaps around window and door frames. Use caulking or spray foam to seal any leaks, depending on their location and size. Perform a similar inspection around the interior of your home, replacing weatherstripping and sealing leaks around electrical and plumbing penetrations. Fireplaces are another source of significant air leakage so make sure they’re sealed tightly as well.

HVAC system maintenance. Heating and cooling can account for 50 percent of your energy bills. An efficient HVAC system is critical for an energy-efficient home. Here are tips for getting the most out of your heating and cooling system:

• When it’s time to replace a furnace, A/C or heat pump, make sure your new unit is sized using precise load calculations.
• Always select products with the Energy Star label.
• Observe semi-annual maintenance appointments to keep it running efficiently.
• Have your ducts inspected to make sure they are clean, airtight and obstruction-free. Ensure the ducts are insulated where they run through unheated areas such as crawlspaces.

Insulation upgrades. Insulation forms a barrier that prevents heat transfer. If you live in an older home, there is a good chance it isn’t insulated to current industry standards. If you aren’t ready for a whole-house upgrade, upgrading the insulation in your attic and crawl spaces is an effective place to start.

Please contact us at Overland Park Heating & Cooling to learn more about creating an energy-efficient home. We’ve provided expert HVAC service in the Greater Kansas City area since 1983.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Overland Park, Kansas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). 

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