Have you noticed that your heating bill is a little higher than you expected? Are you running your heater at full blast, but notice that you still have cold areas in your home? This could be a sign that your home has ventilation leaks, or that your heater is simply too inefficient to properly warm your entire home. Here are some steps you can take to determine what the cause of the problem may be, and what solutions there are available. Looking for Leaks The first step in determining the cause of your heat loss is finding any sort of leakage that may be occurring. Perform a quick test and turn your heater on its highest setting. Then, walk throughout your home and look for any "cold spots," especially areas that feel as though they have a draft. If these rooms are located on the outer edge of your home, you could have a problem with seals. Sealing occurs when the home is initially constructed. During the process of insulating the walls and applying your chosen finish, special polymers are used that act like glue between sections. If some cracks are missed, it could create an airflow between the outside and inside. The good news is that usually a team of repairmen can quickly solve this issue with the right kind of sealant, and it's normally not very expensive. Unfortunately, these drafts will often pass right over your insulation. Issues with Insulation Speaking of insulation, you'll want to make sure that your walls and doors aren't lacking in this essential thermal barrier. There are special infrared-based heating tools that many companies use to go throughout your home and measure different sections of insulation. You might be surprised how much heat is lost simply because it escapes right through the walls. Another aspect of insulation that you might not be aware of is the difference between older and new insulation techniques. Modern technology usually employs several layers of thermal barriers, whereas homes built more than 20 years ago will only have one layer of fiberglass insulation. There is a variety of spray polyurethane foam companies that will offer to come and redo your insulation at great rates. If you have an insulating attic, the process is usually non-invasive, i.e. they won't have to replace any sections of wall. There are additional insulation types that involve a variety of materials, so do some research and find out what is the most efficient for your situation. Energy Efficiency And on that note of efficiency, you'll want to ensure all of your heating appliances are certified. If you're using a central gas or electric heater that is outdated, it's costing you on utility bills. Quickly replacing these appliances means that they will start paying for themselves right away. You might have to spend a bit initially, but you'll be happy with your savings in the long-term. On a final note, there are tax credits available for your efforts to make your home energy efficient. Speak with your accountant before making any major purchases, but keep in mind that the savings could be substantial. When you couple this together with the savings you're already incurring from lower utility costs, you can see how purchasing a new, certified heater is the way to go. When in need of heating, Sacramento, CA residents turn to Sonray Service Team. Learn more about our services at http://www.sonrayserviceteam.com.
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