If you’re not conserving heat, chances are you’re losing heat — as well as money and a comfortable home environment. Per the natural laws of physics, heat energy continuously moves from a warmer zone into a colder zone. Without taking measures to reduce this ongoing process, you’ll see increases in your monthly gas or electricity bills, as well as additional wear and tear on heating components.
To ensure a comfortable and efficient indoor environment this winter, here are two big suggestions for conserving heat.
- Have insulation inspected by a qualified professional. Since heat continuously rises, attic insulation is the main material that reduces home heat loss. Per standards set by ASHRAE (the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers) here in eastern North Carolina, standard fiberglass batt insulation in the attic should ideally be 12 inches in depth. Blown-in cellulose insulation provides somewhat better coverage, and the recommended standard is at least 10 inches.
- Identify and seal leaks that allow indoor heat to leak outdoors. This includes inspecting and replacing weatherstripping around doors and windows. Also, look for and fill any openings in ceilings that allow rising heat to escape from living spaces. This includes air gaps around ceiling light fixtures and attic stairs, as well as any pipes or ducts that pass through the ceiling.
Other steps you can take to ensure that you’re conserving heat include:
- Schedule annual professional maintenance for your heating system.
- Replace the furnace air filter at recommended intervals.
- After sundown, close curtains and blinds to reduce heat loss through glass windows.
- To minimize heat loss from the house, the Department of Energy recommends a thermostat setting of 68 degrees.
- Use ceiling fans. Set fan rotation in a clockwise direction to circulate the heat that’s accumulating at the ceiling back down into living spaces.
- Bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans pull heat out of the house. Run fans no longer than 20 minutes at a time.
For all your heating needs, contact the professionals at Jackson & Sons.