GoodCharlie

Now that summer has arrived, it's important to remember that your air conditioner can significantly increase your energy costs. To minimize these costs, ensure that your entire home, not just your HVAC system, is as energy-efficient as possible. Here are some basic tips to help you succeed:

Locate and Seal Air Leaks: Air leaks are a quick way to waste energy and money. Check around your windows, doors, and floors for leaks. Use a smoke pencil from a home improvement store to identify leaks, then seal them with a caulking gun or weatherstripping tool.

Check Your Insulation: The amount and type of insulation in your home can impact energy efficiency. Ensure your attic is properly insulated, and the access to your attic is sealed and insulated. To check wall insulation, turn off the circuit breaker for any outlets in the wall, remove the cover plate, and probe into the wall with a thin, long stick or screwdriver to feel for insulation.

Lighting: Lighting costs can account for up to 10% of your energy bill. Replace old incandescent light bulbs with energy-efficient LED bulbs to save energy and reduce heat output.

- Locate and Seal Air Leaks: Air leaks are a quick way to waste energy and money. Check around your windows, doors, and floors for leaks. Use a smoke pencil from a home improvement store to identify leaks, then seal them with a caulking gun or weatherstripping tool.
 
- Check Your Insulation: The amount and type of insulation in your home can impact energy efficiency. Ensure your attic is properly insulated, and the access to your attic is sealed and insulated. To check wall insulation, turn off the circuit breaker for any outlets in the wall, remove the cover plate, and probe into the wall with a thin, long stick or screwdriver to feel for insulation.
 
- Lighting: Lighting costs can account for up to 10% of your energy bill. Replace old incandescent light bulbs with energy-efficient LED bulbs to save energy and reduce heat output.

Professional Home Energy Assessment

Hire a Professional Home Energy Assessor: For a comprehensive evaluation, consider hiring a professional home energy assessor. Look for companies that employ workers with national Home Energy Professional Certifications to ensure a thorough assessment.

- Hire a Professional Home Energy Assessor: For a comprehensive evaluation, consider hiring a professional home energy assessor. Look for companies that employ workers with national Home Energy Professional Certifications to ensure a thorough assessment.