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Written on: January 21, 2019
One of the quickest avenues through which to lose money as a homeowner is through a draft in your dwelling. In a very short length of time, drafts can easily skyrocket your heating bill. Not only do they create a cooler environment in the home than you desire, drafts also make your furnace run longer and work harder. Similarly, when the weather turns hot, the draft can cause cool air to be lost from your home.
Additionally, the constant turning on and off of your heating system and air conditioner may lead to extra repairs. For these and other reasons, locating drafts in your home is essential, particularly just prior to winter. There are several ways to find the location of such drafts and subsequently boost your home’s energy efficiency:
Finding drafts is often a challenging endeavor, especially in old dwellings. The precise location of the draft can be somewhat elusive. Your first course of action should be to simply use your senses to locate the draft. For instance, place your hand close to the areas around your home’s doors and windows. These are usually primary locations for drafts, especially if the doors and windows have poor seals or are very old. Additionally, such areas may feature little or no insulation.
String, candles, and thin swatches of fabric help detect areas through which drafts run. These methods determine the strength of each draft. Always make sure to note the direction of each draft when using this method, as well as whether or not the air is hot or cold.
In certain instances, the drafts’ locations are easily detected through the use of the flashlight. To use this method, you simply shine the flashlight at the door where you suspect a problem exists and see if someone on the other side of the door can see a shaft of light coming through from the flashlight. Also, you can place a very thin paper beneath the door when it is closed. Pull the paper out, and see if it frees itself easily. If this is the case, you have probably detected a major draft source.
Another great way to accurately detect draft locations in your home and ultimately make it more energy efficiency is to hire a professional. Such individuals have the experience and equipment to locate all of the drafts in the house and help you choose the best solution. Professionals are trained to find drafts in a variety of areas that you, as the homeowner, will overlook. For example, professionals usually begin by checking fireplaces, dryer vents, utility line inlets, windows sashes, weather stripping, baseboards, electrical outlets and switch plates.
Even well insulated homes have major drafts of which you are not aware. Therefore, make sure you deal with all problem areas simultaneously, if possible. Working with a professional to achieve a more energy-efficient home is also wise course of action. Not only will your home be more comfortable, you will also be able to save money on your energy bill. This is because even a top notch heater and cooling system cannot keep your home at an appropriate temperature if a major draft exists. It is also wise to schedule regular checkups so that your system runs in the most efficient manner possible. Professionals have the experience and training to notice problems in advance, before major repairs become necessary.
To further reduce your energy costs, try to find affordable, high-quality heating oil. The best way to accomplish this task is to comparison shop. By implementing all the aforementioned tips, you can reduce your energy costs and create a more comfortable environment for you and other residents of your home.
For a heating expert in your area, be sure to contact Ace-Robbins. We offer affordable, reliable, and trusted heater service plans, heating oil delivery services and propane delivery services. We also offer heating system installation and repairs. Contact Ace-Robbins to discuss how to resolve any of your home heating needs. Our professional and certified technicians have the experience and skills necessary. We have been in business since 1961 and since then, we have been providing excellent customer experiences.
We service Clarks Summit PA 18411, Dalton PA 18414, Factoryville PA 18419, Falls PA 18615, La Plume PA 18440, Lake Winola PA 18625, Ransom PA 18653, Taylor PA 18517, Tunkhannock PA 18657, Waverly PA 18471, and surrounding areas.
Contact us today or give us a call at (570) 836-3232 if you have any questions.
