4 DIY Home Repairs That Will Help Reduce Heating Bills And Stress On Your HVAC System
If you are tired of paying outrageous heating bills for your home, you may want to consider making some improvements to your home. Winterizing windows and adding insulation to your attic are some things that you can do yourself to reduce your heating costs. You may also want to have your system serviced before the heating season, which can help to reduce strain on your HVAC system. If you want to reduce your heating costs with simple home improvements, here are four things that you can do on your own:
1. Winterize Your Windows And Doors To Keep The Cold Out
Winterizing the windows and doors in your home can be a great way to keep the cold out of your home. This can be done by adding weather stripping to get a better seal around the opening. You can also put your hand around the trim on the doors, and if you feel air coming in, remove the trim and add a small strip of batting to seal the air leak. Caulking can also be added to reduce air leaks.
2. Add Insulation To The Attic And Uninsulated Areas
The attic of your home can be an area where your home loses heat. A simple improvement can be to add more insulation to your attic. If you use your attic for storage, you can just use batt insulation around the dead space on the outside that is not used. Just get rolls of batt insulation and roll it out where you want more insulation. It is important to leave space between the insulation and wood rafters so air flows, which will prevent the wood from dry rotting.
3. Apply Window Film To Glass
You can also add window film to any glass in your home. This can be on windows and doors or fixed glass. The window film will help to keep cold air out in the winter and warm air in in the summer. Some films can also make glass shatter resistant, which can also help to make your home more secure, and is great for windows on the lower floors of your home.
4. Seal Air Leaks From Plumbing And Other Utilities
Mechanical systems can often be the source of air leaks in your home. To fix this problem, look for area where utilities go to the outside of your home, such as the electrical meter, AC unit or outdoor plumbing fixtures. If you notice a draft inside where these things are, you can use a can of spray foam insulation to seal the crack and stop the cold air from coming into your home.
These are some of the things that you can do on your own to reduce your heating costs. If your heater is still running constantly, you may want to have an HVAC technician come, inspect your system, and do any repairs that are needed, including furnace replacement. You don't want to gamble on not having a working furnace this winter.
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