|
 (ARA)
- With winter here, now is the time to give your home a "check-up."
Here are six tips on what to look for and take care of so your
home can withstand those cold north winds.
1. Have your duct system tested for air leaks. Many
think that windows and doors are the major cause of a home's
air leaks. But according to recent research by the Department
of Energy (DOE), gaps, cracks and disconnections in the typical
home's duct system are much more significant. The DOE states
that the typical duct system loses 25 percent to 40 percent of
the energy put out by the central furnace, heat or air conditioner.
Leaks are usually the biggest problem.
2. Ask your heating contractor to perform an Infiltrometer
"blower door" test. The blower door is a computerized
instrument originally invented by the Department of Energy. It
pinpoints where your home's worst air leaks are, and also measures
how leaky the overall house is. While most homes are still far
too leaky, some are now quite tight, and need mechanical ventilation
to ensure the air inside is fresh.
|
3. Have your heating system cleaned and tuned by
a qualified contractor. A tune up and filter change is a good
investment. It reduces the chances of breakdowns in the middle
of winter, improves safety, and pays for itself through more
energy efficient operation. "How To Identify a Good Heating
and Cooling Contractor," a free report from the Comfort
Institute, can help you choose a trained professional.
4. Have your system checked for carbon monoxide.
A good contractor will also offer to test your system for hazardous
carbon monoxide, which can be produced by a dirty or malfunctioning
gas or oil furnace or water heater. |
|
5. Install a low level carbon monoxide alarm. Every
home should have at least one carbon monoxide alarm. However,
alarms available from retail stores will not warn of hazardous
chronic lower levels. More sensitive low level alarms are available
from heating contractors. More information on carbon monoxide
is available on the Comfort Institute's Web site.
6. Consider replacing your old furnace or heat pump.
Just like a car, heating equipment doesn't last forever. If your
system is more than 12 years old, and you are planning to stay
in your home more than a few years, many authorities recommend
considering replacing it before it fails permanently. A new system
is safer, more dependable, and can pay for itself through energy
savings as it is up to twice as energy efficient. However, recent
research has found that many newly installed systems have energy
wasting mistakes. Check out the free report "Tips and Secrets
To Buying A New Heating and Cooling System" for more information.
You can access all of the reports
mentioned above at www.comfortinstitute.org.
Courtesy of ARA Content |
