Taking energy saving measures to trim heating and cooling costs
The average year-round temperature in my local area fluctuates from the low nineties to disadvantage twenty degrees… My friend and I experience excessive humidity in the summer time and brutal windchill in the winter.
Our local weather forecast often calls for thunderstorms, high winds, hail, cold rain, blizzard conditions and snow flurries. My friend and I rely on the a/c for about three months of the year and run the boiler for approximately eight months! It’s precious and exciting when the conditions are mild enough to go without heating or cooling. I love opening the windows and welcoming in a fresh breeze, then because of the extreme weather, heating and cooling account for about fifty percent of property energy consumption, the cost of monthly energy bills is a large drain on the budget. I am always searching for new and better ways to tighten up the thermal envelope and reduce demands on the boiler and a/c. I spent a significant amount of money replacing all of the windows in the house. I replaced to thermal pane, low E, Energy Star rated windows and very carefully caulked around them. I’ve also installed more energy efficient exterior doors and weatherstripped. I use ceiling fans to help distribute the heat in the winter time and help with cooling in the summer. Insulating the attic made a noticeable improvement in comfort and efficiency. I am also diligent about replacing filters in the a/c and boiler every six weeks. I schedule professional maintenance for the boiler in the fall and for the a/c in the Springtime. I make sure the professional tests and inspects the ductwork as well.