How To Fix Air Leaks In Your Attic

At Day & Night Heating & Air Conditioning, our customers come to us with a wide range of concerns – from “Why does my old furnace cost so much to operate?” to “How can I lower my heating bill?” – and we’ve got the answers. Today, we’re talking about how you can save money around your house – starting at the top: your attic.

How To Air Seal An Attic

Heat rises, so the highest part of your home can either act as a cap to keep warm air in, or as an escape route for all that heat. Check for any holes and cracks that need to filled and sealed.

• Large holes, the greatest source of heat loss, will need to filled in with an airtight material, while smaller gaps can usually be sealed with expanding foam or caulk.
• When checking your attic for holes or gaps, contact a contractor for help if you find wet or damp insulation, moldy or rotted wood, vents that exhaust into the attic rather than outdoors, or knob and tube wiring. These special circumstances indicate a bigger problem and may be putting your home and family at risk.
  

How To Test For An Air Duct Leak

Another place you’ll want to search for leaks is in the ducts that deliver your air. Having old, poorly maintained ducts is like leaving a door open in your home.

• Turn on your heating and cooling system and physically check your ducts for leaks.
• Joints can be sealed with mastic or foil tape (ironically, ‘duct’ tape should not be used for this project).
• Your ducts should also be insulated, as the insulation greatly improves the efficiency of your heating and cooling system by helping to keep the air in your ducts at the correct temperature as it moves around your home. Here in North Carolina, duct insulation should be at least an R-8 insulation rating.
  

Worried about keeping your home in tiptop shape? Consider purchasing a preventative maintenance plan to ensure the heating and cooling system in your home is always at its best.

Install Attic Insulation

According to the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA) 90% of homes in the US are under-insulated.

• On average, insulation has three times the impact as windows and doors do on your utility bills, but insulation is out of sight, so it’s easy to forget.
• Unless your home has been evaluated and insulated since 2012, when the International Energy Conservation Code was updated, you’re probably losing money.
  

Other Energy Savings Tips

• Check your local utility companies for rewards. Some utility companies offer rebates for improving the efficiency of your home. Look into specific rebates for winterizing, adding insulation, or using a high-efficiency heat pump.
• Consider adding a whole-house humidifier to your heating system. Humid air feels warmer, allowing you to turn down the thermostat while staying comfortable. Maintaining proper humidity levels in your home improves your indoor air quality and can protect your furniture and hardwood flooring from cracking due to dry winter air. Plus, you eliminate that annoying static shock.
• Check out our other tips to lower your heating and cooling costs on our website.

Our Top-Quality HVAC Services Can Help

Heating your home shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg. If you’re looking for more ways to save when heating your home this winter, call Day & Night Heating & Air Conditioning at (910) 933-2338 or visit our website.

HVAC repair and maintenance services can add up in costs. Day & Night Heating & Air Conditioning understands this. That is why we offer financing options and promotions to our valued customers, including a 10% off military discount. Call our office today to discuss your options.