As winter looms near - it comes quicker than you think - it is important to start considering upgrades for your home in order to more efficiently keep your house warm. This could involve everything from replacing your old HVAC system to improving the overall insulation of the building. The benefits of taking the time and effort to improve your home in this way are numerous. Fluctuating gas and oil prices means that the future costs of heating your home will never be certain, but what you can do is temper this volatility with smart and proactive home improvement.
Heating Source
The furnace or heat pump inside your home consumes either electricity or some form of fuel, natural gas for example, in order to produce the heat necessary to warm your house. An old furnace becomes inefficient and can even become unsafe. Leaks within the system caused by rusting metal or oxidized fittings may not only waste fuel, but may also allow toxic gasses to invade the rest of your home. This is obviously not an ideal situation. Investing in a new or refurbished heating system can help you avoid future costly home repair.
Insulation
The heat generated by your furnace is distributed to rooms around your home via a system of vents; as this hot air travels it imparts warmth to anything it comes into contact. The ability of each room to contain and preserve this heat is one of the determining factors involved in predicting the efficiency of your HVAC system. The more heat that is trapped inside each room, and collectively the home, the less your furnace has to work. It is a simple concept; you want to get the most warmth from the least amount of energy consumed (in this case natural gas).
Insulators act as barriers between the cold outdoors and the inside of your warm inviting home. An insulator is by definition a material with a poor heat conducting capacity, in other words it inhibits the transfer of radiant energy. The better the insulator the less heat is lost to the outside world. Your attic for example is an excellent insulator; it is filled with air and a layer of fiberglass which keeps heat from easily leaving your home. Any material between the painted interior sheetrock and the exterior siding can to some degree affect the effectiveness of your insulation.
Insulation Checklist
- Check for cracks around window frames (consider window replacement if they are in poor condition).
- Look for any gaps around doors or vents that may allow cold air to enter the home.
- Examine the inside of the wall frames; if the space is empty consider installing insulating material.
- Clean the ducts and vents that distribute the hot air around your home. Poor distribution will make some parts of your home too warm and other areas too cold.
Owning a home is a long term investment that requires a responsible and vigilant custodian who can properly manage his property. Maintaining an efficient HVAC system is not only important for your short term needs, but also a vital component of long term care.
Autor: Alexander Fishback
Sears Home Pro Improvement is your best bet for a job well-done. Heating and air installation is a serious job, best left to professionals, so don't be afraid to ask for help.
Added: August 14, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/
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