While the cold of the winter season may attract the most attention weather-wise here in Southern Vermont, the fact is that the heat of summer is no slouch, either. If you are serious about living comfortably all year long, then your air conditioner is every bit as important as your home heating system! Of course, getting a dependable and effective performance out of your air conditioning system is not really enough. You also want an affordable performance, as well.
Now, you may be thinking great, this is where they start telling me about how they’ve got a great new system with my name on it. Well, no. If you are in the market for a new, high-efficiency air conditioning system, then you can certainly count on us to help you find the right one for your home and to install it properly for you. Today’s post, however, is about some simple ways in which you can help to improve cooling efficiency. After all, not everyone can afford a brand new AC in Ludlow, VT.
Seal Up Your Home for Better Year-Round Efficiency
We have a lot of old homes here in New England, and there is a lot to be said for living in a historic, broken-in house. Unfortunately, there are some elements that are not so appealing—including issues with the elements! While some natural ventilation is going to work in your favor, helping to maintain indoor air quality (and yes, many modern homes are lacking in this regard), air leaks are still a major source of inefficiency.
If you notice high heating and cooling costs, then the problem likely is not with your air conditioner. It could be the result of gaps in your home’s thermal envelope. Having your home tested for such leaks is a good idea. You could also just check out some common problem areas, such as door and window frames, and install some weatherstripping or fill gaps in with an appropriate caulking product.
Have Your Ductwork Tested
Do you use a central air conditioning system to cool your home? If so, your ductwork could actually be wasting a lot of energy without you even realizing it. We recommend that you have your air ducts tested if you have never done so. Chances are there is an issue with leaks of some measure, and sealing your ducts appropriately will, again, help both heating and cooling efficiency (provided you use a ducted system for both, of course).
Here’s another tip for you—look out for signs of low indoor air quality. This issue paired with a drop in efficiency is a good indicator that your ducts are not in great shape. They can pull pollutants in from areas of the home that they pass through and then distribute those pollutants throughout the house, bypassing any filters or air cleaners.
Schedule Maintenance
We weren’t not going to bring this up, and you should have realized it from the start! If you’ve read this blog or perused our site before, you know how passionate we are about routine maintenance. Why? Because a well-maintained system will operate more effectively, reliably, and, yes, efficiently than it otherwise could.
Contact HB Energy Solutions for all your energy needs. HB Energy Solutions delivers peace of mind.
Join Us Online