To achieve energy savings, Metrowest Boston homeowners need to both limit their energy use and conserve the energy they have. With advice from Energy Star’s Home Advisor, you can do both. The Home Advisor is a simple online tool that uses information about your home to generate targeted tips for energy savings.
The Home Advisor’s tips for Metrowest Boston are:
- Plug air leaks. One of the biggest sources of energy loss is air leaks in ductwork, attic and all over your building's shell. The federal Energy Star program estimates that the average home loses about 20 percent of its energy through building leaks and 20 percent more through ductwork. Plug them up with approved duct mastic, caulk and spray foam. You may need heat-resistant caulk and aluminum flashing around attic flues.
- Add insulation. After you seal the air leaks in your attic, add more insulation. R-38 is Energy Star’s recommended insulation efficiency value, but every home has different needs. Call Rodenhiser for an assessment of your home’s unique needs.
- Upgrade your water heater. If you use a conventional storage tank water heater, it can account for as much as 25 percent of your home's energy use. Check out tankless models, which save energy by heating water as you need it. You won’t run out of hot water, either.
- Use a programmable thermostat. This is one of the most convenient ways to achieve energy savings. Program your thermostat ahead when no one will notice, such as when the house is empty or at night.
- Upgrade to a high-efficiency heating and cooling system. Is your air conditioner 10 years old or more? That may not seem so old, but it may already be 40 percent less efficient than newer models. Look for an A/C with a SEER from 16 to 23, which tells you it converts a high percentage of the fuel it consumes into cool energy.
For more energy savings advice, check out the Home Advisor or call Rodenhiser Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning. We’ll be happy to perform an evaluation that can tell you where your home is losing the most energy, and provide personalized suggestions for improving your efficiency.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about energy savings and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Solutions Guide.
Rodenhiser Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning serves the Route 495/128 area of Massachusetts. Visit our website to see our special offers to get started today!