Despite investing a great deal of money into Energy Star rated, high-efficiency heating and cooling equipment, I’m always unhappy with the cost of temperature control.
With outdoor temperatures that climb into the nighties and drop into the negative twenties, the furnace and air conditioner carry a big workload.
There are very few times during the year when we can go without either heating or cooling and simply open the windows. I’ve figured out that the cost of our indoor comfort adds up to about half of our household energy expenses. I would like to minimize energy consumption as much as possible. I’d like to reduce demands on the furnace and air conditioner by eliminating energy waste. My house is extremely big and old, so there are lots of areas that need improvement. However, every project tends to be big and expensive. I have gradually replaced every single-pane window in the house with a thermal pane, low e alternative. This has helped to lessen drafts coming in and conditioned air escaping. While the windows were a big investment, caulking around them cost me very little. Replacing the exterior doors on the front and back of the house cost me quite a bit. Adding insulation in the attic was a time-consuming, labor-intensive and really unpleasant job, but it made a big difference in the efficiency of the home. I’ve installed ceiling fans to help push the heated air toward the floor in the winter and encourage it up and out during the summer. Replacing the thermostat was a really beneficial home improvement. The smart thermostat uses geofencing to know when the house is empty or occupied and adjusts temperature automatically. I also make sure to keep up with air filter changes and scheduling professional maintenance to keep the furnace and air conditioner running at their best.
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