Tilt and turn UPVC windows offer superior functionality with a convenient adjustment system, allowing the natural ventilation in your home, without sacrificing your security. Image Courtesy: Windows for Life of Australia
If you’re looking for a more comfortable home 365 days a year, then it may be time to verify that your home is properly insulated. Today we are going to talk about a few of the most common reasons for air leaks and an increase in your monthly bills. Whether you’re trying to keep cool in the summertime or warm in the winter, a well insulated home means a much happier family (and wallet, of course).
Tracking Down Potential Leaks
It never hurts to walk the interior and exterior of your home, looking for areas where air may be escaping or creeping inside your home. Windows and doors are common culprits. While upgrading your windows to double pane may not exactly be a task you want to take on today, even something as simple as improving the seals around your windows can be extremely beneficial. Check any doors that lead to the outside of your property, or are connected to cooler areas, such as your garage. If there is space underneath them, consider adding sweeps (If the door isn’t often used, placing a towel in front of the door will suffice). Doing so will also keep bugs and other pests out of your living quarters.
Other locations to keep a close eye on are lighting fixtures and electrical outlets. The best way to locate drafts is to do a thorough walkthrough of your property with a candle on a windy day. Caulk is your friend for both interior and exterior leaks; both extremely easy to use and affordable.
Keeping Those Utility Bills from Shooting Sky-High
An attic is one of the most common areas of a home where energy is lost. Because of this, it is important that you check at least once a year that there is a minimum of 12 inches of insulation. Instead of measuring, simply make sure you cannot see your floor joists, because they are typically about 10 to 11 inches. Properly insulated walls and basements also prove to help save money on monthly bills.
Working Heating and Cooling Systems
If all of the above isn’t quite doing the trick and you find yourself needing to crank up the heat or air conditioning, ask yourself a question: when was the last time you cleaned out those vents or had a service professional come out to the house?
Cleaning out your filter system and motor regularly is imperative to the health of your system. Especially if you have pets in the home, this maintenance should be done more than just a few times a year – possibly even on a monthly basis. Having something as seemingly ‘minor’ as dirty filters can quickly destroy a nice unit. Refer to your user manual. Some units can go longer without filter changes than others, and the time of the year as well as how often they are used, makes a big difference. A general rule of thumb for a healthy and long-lived system is to have a professional come out at least once a year to make sure everything is in tip-top shape, on top of your everyday maintenance.
Martha Katich is the author of today’s guest post. She runs a firm which deals in providing customized windows for offices and homes. Her firm is famously known for providing upvc windows. A frequent blogger, she likes to voice her opinion on various issues related to home improvements on her blog.
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