Have you noticed a spike in your electric bill this winter? When was the last time you checked your windows and doors for leaks? The air escaping could cost you a fortune. According to the Department of Energy, heating and cooling account for about 48 percent of the energy use in a typical U.S. home, making it the largest energy expense for most homes. At J&W Heating and Air + Plumbing, we don’t want you to lose money just because you want to keep your home at a comfortable temperature. If you think air is leaving your home when it shouldn’t, we have some ways you can avoid it.
Where is the Air Escaping?
Your attic insulation, doors, and windows are not the only places your air leaks out from! According to nachi.org, the majority of your air is escaping through the walls, floor, and ceiling, which accounts for 31 percent of leaked air. Your home’s ducts and fireplace are the second biggest source at about 15 percent each, flaws in your plumbing allow about 13 percent, doors, and windows are 10 percent each, and fans and vents come in at 4 percent. That’s a lot of leaking air and a lot of money out of your pocket. Leaks are very easy to fix and prevent.
If you think there’s something wrong, don’t wait to have one of our HVAC professionals take a look! Our professionals can perform maintenance to determine if your home is leaking air. If your home is lacking proper sealing and insulation, the escaping air could be increasing your energy bill. It’s important to find a solution before the summer heat arrives and now is a perfect time. Let us check your air ducts and attic insulation for leaks to ensure your home is properly sealed. We also offer regular preventative maintenance to ensure your system is functioning at peak efficiency at all times.
Is Your Insulation Sufficient?
Old or lack of attic insulation might be what’s causing your air conditioner to run more than necessary. The air in an attic can become very hot and if it’s not insulated well, the hot air can enter your home. This makes your air conditioning unit run more often, work harder, and cost you more each month. Proper insulation in your walls, attic, and around your windows and doors will keep your system running efficiently. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, more than 90% of the 116 million homes in the United States are expected to have higher heating costs this winter compared with last winter. Did you know energy.gov says improper insulation can decrease your system’s efficiency by 90 percent? You don’t want to be apart of those numbers! Have no fear, our HVAC experts at J&W Heating and Air + Plumbing offer quality repair, installation, and maintenance services throughout the Jacksonville area.
Here’s a fact for ‘ya: proper ventilation goes hand in hand with proper insulation. Most people don’t think ventilation is vital to heating your home, but news flash, it’s super important. Good ventilation protects you and your family from inhaling unpleasant odors and harmful gases. It rids your home of pollutants that are potentially hazardous to your health. Ventilation keeps your home free from mold and mildew, which can ruin your walls and give off bad smells. Clean, filtered air prevents damage caused to your house and respiratory system.
Have You Checked Your Air Ducts?
If your air ducts are older than 8 years old, they may have leaks that are costing you money. Without being properly sealed, your ducts could have holes that are letting air escape into the walls. You’ll know it’s time for an aeroseal duct sealing if your energy bills seem really high and if some vents have less airflow than others. Did you know poor air duct cleanings can actually decrease your indoor air quality? At J&W Heating and Air + Plumbing, our experienced technicians will work with your current ducts to make them airtight and save you money.
Aeroseal will cause escaping air to pressurize and attach polymer particles to the edges of every leak until the leak is sealed up entirely. According to aeroseal.com, 30 cents of every dollar spent on heating and cooling a home disappears through leaky ducts. Don’t let your ducts drive up your energy bills. Let our team help improve your AC unit’s efficiency and get your home back to peak comfort!
Don’t let escaping air drive your electric bill. You deserve to know that your comfort is in good hands, which is why it’s so important to schedule your HVAC and indoor air quality services with J&W Heating and Air + Plumbing. Only with a qualified, experienced professional can you rest assured that your service is completed properly and efficiently. Call today and let us put an end to that escaping air!
